Swine Flu (Influenza) – Knowledge & Prevention

Spanish Flu, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, Influenza, Hong Kong Flu or Asian Flu – regardless of the name bestowed, it’s still a flu.  It is estimated that the flu (short for influenza) kills approximately 36,000 people a year in the United States.  Another 115,000 people are hospitalized with complications from the flu.

All flus are categorized as either influenza type A, B or C.  Types A and B cause most of the symptoms that many of us suffer from every flu season, while type C is less severe, often resulting in only sniffles and a runny nose.  Type A flu viruses are found in many different types of animals, including: pigs, horses, chickens and ducks and tend to mutate into unknown strains.  The Swine Flu is such a strain.

Swine Flu is common in swine throughout the world, but is seldom passed on to humans.  Occasionally, individuals who have daily contact with swine may contract Swine Flu, but only under optimal circumstances.  The name “Swine Flu” given to the current outbreak is actually a misrepresentation of genetic makeup of the flu, which is made up of one strain of human influenza, one strain of avian influenza and two separate strains of swine influenza.     

Any type of influenza is a highly contagious disease.  Known as one of the trickiest diseases known to man, the flu virus constantly changes.  Every year or two, flu strains undergo minor changes that our bodies adapt to and defend against.  As if the virus realizes it’s no longer effective, it completely mutates into an unknown and potentially deadly strain about every ten years.  As an unknown type of virus, these new strains can often infect millions of people who are unable to defend against them.

The flu virus is spread when one inhales infected droplets that become airborne when someone with influenza coughs or sneezes.  In addition, direct contact with the infected person’s secretions, as a result of kissing, touching or hand to hand contact may also result in exposure to the virus.  Nearly anything touched by an infected person, such as; door knobs, TV remotes, handles, phones and keyboards can act as a carrier for the disease.  When an uninfected person touches and item previously touched by an infected person, then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes, the flu virus can be absorbed into the body. 

The symptoms of the Swine Flu are not unlike the symptoms of other flu strains.  Symptoms may include:

• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Fever
• Coughs
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Not all of the above symptoms will be present in every case of Swine Flu.  A diagnosis of confirmed swine flu requires laboratory testing of a respiratory sample.

Recommendations for avoiding the Swine Flu and other types of influenza are as follows:

• Disinfect your house regularly. You may use either a broad spectrum disinfectant, such as Rely-On or a dilution of chlorine bleach and water.  Before using either, clean all services with warm soapy water.  Spend extra time cleaning your kitchen and bathrooms, doorknobs, handles, phones, remote controls and other surfaces that may be touched repeatedly by many family members.
• Always cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, not with your hands but with a tissue or other disposable item.
• During flu season, try to alter your schedule so you can visit busy stores and businesses during times when they are not so busy.
• Wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 15 seconds, several times a day.
• Try to refrain from shaking hands.  If you do, try to wash your hands immediately.
• Keep your distance when talking with others.  Getting too close may expose you to saliva that can be excreted when people speak.
• Try to keep from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Keep a bottle of an alcohol based disinfectant gel with you for times when soap and water are not available.
• Take care of your immune system.  Eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and take vitamins (if authorized by your doctor).

As with most cases of influenza, most people will recover from a bout of Swine Flu with only the help of over-the-counter medications.  However, the drugs Tamiflu and Relenza have been used to treat more serious cases.  Both of these drugs, although not a cure, help to relieve some of the symptoms, reduce the chances of serious complications (pneumonia) and reduce the life span of the virus by about a day.

If you or any of your family members become sick with flu like symptoms, please stay home for at least five days.  After the initial five days, although you may not feel completely well, you should no longer be contagious.