St. Maximilian Kolbe School

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza

viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but

human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread

from person‐to‐person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained

beyond three people.

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A

(H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas.

Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have

been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu

infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm

CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this

situation.

CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is

spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the

virus spreads between people.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu

and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some

people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past,

severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with

swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of

underlying chronic medical conditions.

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same

way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person

through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become

infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or

nose.

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop

and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass

on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

First and 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 touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or

prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are

prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu

viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your

illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu

complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick

(within 2 days of symptoms).

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious

as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset.

Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer

periods.

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with

germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or

sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person

touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then

touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like

cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the

chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday

actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like

influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

tissue in the trash after you use it.

Alcohol‐based hand cleaners are also effective.

school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to

work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or

sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the

waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your

hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water.

or clean with alcohol‐based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your

hands ‐‐ with soap and warm water ‐‐ that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap

and water are not available, alcohol‐based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may

be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your

hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the

germs on your hands.

If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with

influenza‐like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea,

or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly

if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine

whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as

possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency

medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between

2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no

deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a

previously healthy 32‐year‐old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for

pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu

outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with

serious illness in several people and one death.

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from

eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.