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Flu is a common, viral, seasonal sickness. Swine flu is just a flu caused by a different virus.
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Flu is the short form for influenza (a viral infection that affects mainly the nose and throat, and is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, aching muscles, headache and cough, sore throat, etc...
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What is swine flu?
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Just as humans get influenza or flu, pigs (or swine) get flu too. Influenza in pigs (swine) is called Swine Flu.
In the past, only those humans who were in direct contact with pigs had even a very rare chance of getting infected. However, the present swine flu outbreak is from a new swine flu virus strain that can pass from person to person.
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How does the swine flu virus spread?
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Just as any other virus infection, swine flu too spreads when you pick up germs through direct contact with an infected person or by touching objects that have been infected by the touch of an infected person.
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48% Of Patients In India Are Aged 10-14 Yrs – Health Ministry, India
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How does the swine flu virus spread?
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According to the World Health Organization, the symptoms of H1N1 are similar to that of seasonal influenza i.e.
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Fever
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Cough
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Headache
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Muscle and joint pain
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Sore throat
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Runny nose
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Sometimes, vomiting and diarrhoea
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How long can an infected person spread the swine flu virus to others?
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People with H1N1 (swine) influenza virus infection can be potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, however, might continue to spread the virus up to 10 days or longer.
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Do cloth masks help?
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Cloth masks can at best prevent large numbers of virus from entering your body. However, in isolation they cannot be depended upon as a means of prevention against swine flu.
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So how do we know if the symptoms are ordinary flu or swine flu?
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It is pretty much impossible to tell from the symptoms themselves whether the symptoms are that of swine flu or that of any ordinary flu. Doctors advice further investigations, even after symptoms, only if you have been in the close proximity of another person with infected with swine flu.
In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include breathing fast or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids/eating food, being irritable and if the child does not want to be held, fever with a rash, flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worsened cough,
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Washing your hands with most soaps does nothing to kill viruses but rubbing them together with soap and water creating a lot of friction for at least 30 seconds removes unwanted bacteria.
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Basics of preventing getting affected or spreading any virus:
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Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective
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Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
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Stay at least arms length away from those who have cough and are sneezing repeatedly
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If you have any respiratory distress (short breath, difficulty breathing), you should go to a nearby hospital
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Avoid contact with people who are affected.
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Practice good health habits - get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food
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Reduce the time spent in crowded settings, if possible
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Improve the airflow in your living space by opening the windows
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How does the swine flu virus spread?
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Keep hand sanitizers and napkins in handy, in and around classrooms, etc.
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Some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like canteen tables, doorknobs, telephones, and desks
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Frequent hand washing will help reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces
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Any staff member showing flu symptoms should be made to see a doctor. They should also be allowed to stay at home for a period of 7 to 10 days.
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Daily disinfection and hygienic cleaning toilets, canteens, public access areas, etc.
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Suspend swimming pool/ splash pool activity to avoid spread through water contamination
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There is no research data currently available that confirms that commonly used disinfectants are effective on H1N1 virus.
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Avoid excursions, picnics and group activities that can be delayed for a later time
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What to do if a child gets sick?
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Keep the child at home and limit contact with others as much as possible.
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Make the child rests and takes plenty of liquids.
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Ensure that the child covers the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
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Any person showing flu symptoms should go to a designated Government facility to give his/her sample for testing for the H1N1 virus.
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Seek medical care early, since antiviral medication is most effective if taken in the first 48 hours of flu symptoms.
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Are there medicines to treat this flu?
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Yes. Necessary medicines in sufficient quantity are available.
It is strongly advisable not to take medicines like Tami flu without confirmation of swine flu, as it will lower one’s immunity and increase the virus’s resistance to the medication.
The drug for the treatment is only available through the public health system and its retail sale is banned as indiscriminate use may lead to development of resistance to the virus.
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“Only very close contact with an infected person results in H1N1 infection (swine flu). Sitting in the same room does not automatically mean you will get infected. Talking across a table or walking down the corridor does not lead to infection.”
Dr Suresh Chandra Sharma, Consultant (medicine), Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital
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Toll free National Swine Flu helpline numbers 1075 or 1800-11-4377 and 011-23921401
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Delhi Government Helpline 011- 23921401,
Bangalore Helpline 91-80-26632634/ 0-9448057093 ,
Hyderabad Helpline 040- 24656852 / 9849902452 / 040-23814422
Pune Helpline 020-64006095 / 020-32538626 / 020- 20250050
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