Advice about Swine Flu

What is swine flu and what are the symptoms?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H 1N 1> It is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis. However, this latest version of H 1 N 1 is different; it contains genetic material typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine. Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease. It can spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.

Symptoms include; high temperature, tiredness and lowered immunity; headache, runny nose and sneezing; sore throat; shortness of breath; loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea; aching muscles, limb and joint pain. (Source; NHS)

As with normal flu, the severity of symptoms will depend on treatment and the individual. Many people have only suffered mildly and have began to recover within a week.

People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms, but they cease to be a risk once those symptoms have disappeared. The incubation period may be as little as two days.

The ‘At Risk’ Group includes; people with lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and immunosuppression problems either because of treatment or disease; patients who have had drug treatment for asthma, pregnant women; children under five.

Indeed, so far, many people who have developed symptoms of infection have not needed drugs to make a full recovery, according to the World Health Organisation. Flu expert Professor Peter Openshaw, of Imperial College London, says about one in every three people who become infected will not realise they have had swine flu because they will have had no or only a few symptoms. “About 98% of people who get infected will recover without hospital treatment, so I think the public needs to be reassured.”

The real fear is that the strain will mutate and become more virulent, which would pose a greater threat. This has been the feature of previous flu pandemics. This has not yet happened – and in any event, it is worth remembering that seasonal flu often poses a serious threat to public health – each year it kills 250,000 – 500,000 people around the world.

What should I do if I think I have it?
Anyone with flu-like symptoms who suspects they might have this swine flu virus are being advised to stay at home and use the ‘swine flu symptom checker’ on the NHS Direct website (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk), or phone NHS 24 in Scotland, tel: 08454242424.

If swine flu is suspected, you should notify your GP. The infected person would then be expected to arrange for a friend or family member to pick up the anti-viral treatment for them from a collecting point, most probably a pharmacy.

How is it treated?
Two drugs commonly used to treat flu. Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective at treating infection. However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective. Use of these drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others.

The UK Government already has a stockpile of Tamiflu, ordered as a precaution against a pandemic. However, there is concern that if too many people start taking anti-virals as a precaution, it could raise the risk of the virus developing resistance, reducing the drug’s effectiveness. There is, however, no evidence at present that this is happening.

In any event, there is little point taking these drugs as a precaution, as each tablet provides only a day’s worth of cover. Given that the virus may be with us for many months – or indeed years – taking a regular pill is ill advised, as long as the long-term side effects are not known.

What measures, then, can I take to prevent infection?
Manufacturers have developed a vaccine, which is being offered to patients in high risk groups. In the meantime, avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and a cough. General infection control practices and good hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influence.

You can reduce the chance of infection by:
Covering you nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible and disposing of it promptly.
Washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people.
Cleaning hard surfaces, such as door handles frequently using a normal cleaning product. (Source BBC Health)