Facts about swine flu, symptoms and treatment from NSW Health:
LATEST NEWS: Mutant swine flu virus resistant to Relenza
What is swine influenza (swine flu)?Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of a swine flu virus have been recently confirmed.
What is the current situation?Human cases of a new form of influenza virus have been identified in 40 countries. The influenza is a swine influenza A virus. The World Health Organization has declared the swine influenza situation to be a public health emergency of international concern.
The pandemic alert level has been raised by the World Health Organization.
This event is of concern because:
Swine influenza is derived from an animal influenza virus, which means that humans will likely have little or no immunity
There has been rapid spread to multiple communities overseas
Swine influenza is affecting unusual age groups (healthy, young adults)
The Swine Influenza A virus is thought to be sensitive to the new antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), but resistant to both amantadine and rimantadine.
What are the symptoms?The symptoms of swine influenza are similar to normal influenza (fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, chills, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache). Some cases of swine influenza have also complained of vomiting and diarrhoea. In some cases, swine influenza can result in a severe pneumonia. Symptoms of influenza generally appear between two to four days after exposure.
How is it prevented?As the new swine influenza strain has only been identified recently, a human vaccine for swine influenza is not yet available. Existing vaccines for normal human influenza will probably not provide protection against swine influenza. Scientists worldwide are working to develop a suitable human vaccine against swine influenza A (H1N1), however a vaccine is not expected to become available in the near future.
Until a vaccine becomes available, the best method of prevention will be to ensure that everyone washes their hands regularly and thoroughly, steps away from others when they cough or sneeze, coughs or sneezes into tissues and stays away from people who are sick.
What should I do if I develop symptoms?Contact your local public health unit, or general practitioner, or go to your nearest emergency department. If you have visited a country with confirmed cases of swine flu since March and are unwell with a respiratory illness (fever and cough), contact your GP by telephone.
If swine flu is suspected, you will be asked to isolate yourself from others to prevent further infection
Swine influenza virus infection can be diagnosed using swabs from the nose and throat. Testing is done at a specialised laboratory.
How is it treated?If you become unwell and suspect that you may have swine influenza, you should contact your local public health unit or general practitioner, or go to your nearest hospital emergency department for assessment and treatment. Specific anti-influenza drugs are likely to be effective against swine influenza.
What is the public health response?There is enhanced surveillance for people infected with swine influenza, especially in people who have returned from affected areas within the last 7 days.
Local public health units are working with patients, treating doctors, and the laboratories to diagnose patients with swine flu. Suspected cases will be asked to isolate themselves from others to prevent further infection.
Travel advice
The situation is changing rapidly. For updated information on affected areas, see the Australian Government travel advice website. Always wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with sick people, after coughing, sneezing or going to the toilet, or before eating.
SOURCE: NSW HEALTH
Email a friend