by Marie Rea
Australia is on RED ALERT for people with signs of the swine influenza virus!
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared last April 26, 2009 a “public health emergency of international concern” after the outbreak of a new strain of swine flu in Mexico.
News reports from around the world sourced from the internet alone show that up to 100 people have died in Mexico and 1400 people have been affected worldwide.
ABC News said: “There are currently no confirmed cases in Australia but experts say it is almost inevitable that the disease will reach the country.”
According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. They spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
How is it spread to humans?
Swine influenza A is spread in the same way as seasonal flu, from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with the flu. It is possible to become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching the mouth or nose.
Those with the virus can spread it to others one day before symptoms develop and a week or more after becoming sick. Young children may be contagious for longer periods.
Symptoms include those like the ordinary flu – fever, cough, sore throat, aching body, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhoea and vomiting. Severe illness including pneumonia and respiratory failure have been reported.
How do we prevent getting this relatively unknown sickness?
The CDC recommends some ways to avoid the virus: Most important, wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep. Be physically active. Manage your stress. Drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
It is vital to limit the spread of germs by washing your hands, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the used tissue away, as well as avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. For pork eaters, it is still safe to eat pork as long as it is properly handled and cooked.
More swine flu info from the CDC website
Adults who experience the following warning signs should seek urgent medical attention:
- Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
Children who experience the following warning signs should seek urgent medical attention:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin colour
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Fever with rashes
Taking anti-viral drugs such as pills, liquids or inhalers within two days of experiencing symptoms can provide relief and may prevent serious consequences.
CDC recommends the use of Oseltamivir or Zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. If you get sick, anti-viral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, anti-viral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
When in doubt, always seek medical advice as early as possible!