SWINE FLU MAP

Yet while we're still at the surveillance stage and it's not a pandemic, there's reason for concern. And the spread of swine flu provides an important reminder it's always a good idea to practice good hygiene. The best practices you can take to protect yourself from any form of the flu are simple: cover your nose when you sneeze, wash your hands, etc. Now, onto the questions...

Q. What is Swine Flu?

A. According to the USA Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

USDA
Q. Can humans catch Swine Flu?

A. Swine Flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs

Q. Why is it in the news now?

A. Because many have died from Swine Flu in Mexico. Mexico City closed schools across the metropolis in hopes of containing the outbreak that has sickened more than 900.

Q. But it's not a problem in the United States, is it?

A. Unfortunately, it may become one. Since March, The Center for Disease Control has confirmed many cases in the United States started by confirming eight cases of Swine Flu in the United States. Contrast that with the period from December 2005 through February 2009, when there were a total of 12 human infections with swine influenza in the United States.

Q. Is the virus contagious?

A. Yes. According to the Center for Disease Control, there is evidence that Swine Flu is spreading from human to human.

Q. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu?

A. Symptoms include fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their health care provider. A health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.

Q. Surely I can take a pill to zap the virus, right?

A. Similar to the treatment for influenza, four antiviral drugs are licensed for use in the United States on swine flu: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine flu viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent seven Swine Flu viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. Right now, the CDC recommends oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with Swine Flu viruses.

Q. Is there a vaccine?

A. Not at this time.