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Swine Flu
Swine flu (swine influenza) is a
type of influenza (flu) that usually
affects pigs. It can also be
transmitted to humans. It causes
flu-like symptoms and a fever and
can be treated with an antiviral
drug. There is no evidence that
using masks helps to reduce the
spread of swine flu. People with
suspected swine flu should contact
their GP or NHS Direct but avoid
going to their doctors or the
hospital as this will reduce the
risk of the infection spreading.
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a type of flu. It
usually affects pigs but it can also
affect humans. The virus can be
transmitted from humans to humans.
Before Spring 2009, the virus rarely
passed from humans to humans. Most
cases recently reported have been in
Mexico but it has also affected
people in other countries, including
America, UK, Europe and New Zealand.
A new strain of the swine influenza
virus emerged in Mexico in Spring
2009. The World Health Organisation
(WHO) announced that this may result
in a pandemic. A pandemic occurs
when a new strain of influenza virus
spreads easily between humans.
Influenza pandemics must be taken
seriously precisely because of their
capacity to spread rapidly to every
country in the world. The WHO have
stated the the UK is one of the most
prepared countries in the world for
a pandemic.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms are similar to symptoms
of flu. Symptoms include a sore
throat, headache, runny nose, cough,
and aches and pains. These symptoms
are associated with a fever (high
temperature). Some people also have
vomiting and diarrhoea. These
symptoms usually last for a few days
and then completely resolve. Swine
flu currently appears to be
affecting younger people rather than
the elderly.
What are the possible complications
of swine flu?
Initial experience with this virus
suggests that most people fully
recover. However, complications may
occur and they can be serious and
life-threatening. The most serious
complication is pneumonia which may
develop and may be fatal.
Who is at risk of swine flu?
If you have been in Mexico and
certain places in America (for
example, Texas, New York or
California) in the past seven days
and develop flu-like symptoms then
you may be at risk of swine flu. You
should seek medical advice (see
below). Also, if you have been in
contact with anyone confirmed to
have swine flu.
If you develop flu-like symptoms but
have not visited these countries, or
visited them over one week ago, and
have not been in contact with anyone
who has swine flu, then you are
unlikely to be at risk of developing
swine flu.
Note: you are not at risk of swine
flu from eating pork. Swine flu is
not transmitted by food.
How can swine flu be prevented?
People with symptoms of flu should
stay at home until they feel better.
General hygiene is important to
reduce the spread of swine flu (and
other diseases). This includes:
? Covering your nose and mouth when
coughing or sneezing, using a tissue
when possible.
? Disposing of tissues promptly.
? Washing your hands frequently with
soap and water.
? Cleaning hard surfaces (eg door
handles and work surfaces)
frequently.
? Ensuring children also follow this
advice.
It is thought that the flu vaccine
may offer some protection against
swine flu. Further tests are
currently underway to confirm this.
Development of a vaccine for swine
flu is likely to take many months.
What is the treatment of swine flu?
Treatment of swine flu should be at
home or, if very ill, in hospital.
This will reduce the risk of the
virus being transmitted to other
people.
Antiviral drugs (eg Tamiflu?) have
been shown to be effective for swine
flu. They do not kill the virus but
interfere with the way the virus
multiplies. Therefore, they do not
cure influenza, but may reduce the
severity and duration of symptoms
and may prevent complications.
Usually, treatment is given for five
days.
As with other flu-like illnesses,
paracetamol or ibuprofen will lower
your temperature, and also ease
aches and pains.
How is swine flu diagnosed?
If you think you may be at risk of
developing swine flu then you should
seek medical advice. You should
either telephone your GP's surgery
or contact NHS Direct. Arrangements
will then be made for you to have
swabs taken to test for swine flu.
The swabs will be delivered to your
home or someone can collect them
from the surgery.
If you are suspected to have swine
flu then you will be given an
antiviral drug (eg Tamiflu?) to
start straight away. The results of
the swab usually take about two days
to come through. If the results are
normal then the treatment can be
stopped. If the results are positive
then you need to continue with
treatment as directed by your
doctor. Unless you become very ill
you will be treated at home. This
will reduce the risk of the virus
spreading to other people.
Is wearing masks effective to
protect from swine flu?
There is no evidence that wearing
normal face masks provides any
protection from swine flu or other
types of influenza. It is not
recommended that you wear them.
There are some facts about wearing
facemasks that need to be
considered, including:
? Wearing a mask may actually give
you false reassurance that you are
protected from the flu. This may
mean that you are less likely to
carry out good hand hygiene (washing
your hands with soap and water).
? If facemasks are worn, then you
need to change them regularly and
also dispose of them properly. You
need to wash your hands after
removing a mask.
? When masks are worn, even for a
short period of time, the masks
become saturated with your exhaled
breath so they become damp and even
less effective.
? It has been recommended that
facemasks are used for healthcare
professionals who are treating
people with either suspected or
confirmed swine flu. The facemasks
for healthcare professionals to wear
when treating people with swine flu
need to have a special filter. These
masks need to be fitted to the face
and are very uncomfortable to wear.
Should I have a supply of Tamiflu?
for my family just in case I develop
flu?
This is not necessary and is not
recommended. The antiviral drugs are
only given to people who have
flu-like symptoms and have visited
one of the high-risk countries in
the past seven days. The Department
of Health will have enough Tamiflu?
to treat 50 million people. Using
Tamiflu? when it is not necessary
may lead to the virus becoming
resistant to this drug. This may
mean that Tamiflu? may not work when
it is needed to, in people with
proven swine flu.
Further help and advice
Swine Flu Information Line
Tel: 0800 1 513 513
For the latest advice.
If you have symptoms that you are
concerned about
Contact your GP by phone or contact:
NHS Direct in England - Tel: 0845
4647 Web:
http://www.nhs.uk
NHS 24 in Scotland - Tel: 08454 24
24 24 Web:
www.nhs24.com
NHS Direct Wales - Tel: 0845 4647
Web:
www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
In Northern Ireland - Tel: 0800 0514
142 Web:
www.dhsspsni.gov.uk
If you are planning to travel abroad
Check the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office travel advice at
www.fco.gov.uk/travel
or call 0845
850 2829
DirectGov
Web:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu
For information concerning travel,
schools and colleges, and the
workplace.
References
? Swine Influenza - Health
Protection Agency UK
? Swine Influenza - World Health
Organisation
________________________________________
Comprehensive patient resources are
available at www.patient.co.uk
Disclaimer: This article is for
information only and should not be
used for the diagnosis or treatment
of medical conditions. EMIS has used
all reasonable care in compiling the
information but make no warranty as
to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or
other health care professional for
diagnosis and treatment of medical
conditions. For details see our
conditions.
? EMIS 2009 Reviewed: 30 Apr 2009
DocID: 12247 Version: 1
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