Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)
What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
What is Swine Influenza?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) 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.
What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.
See full article: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) on Wikipedia
Relenza (zanamivir) on Wikipedia
2009 H1N1 flu outbreak on Wikipedia
Americans told to wear masks as swine flu spreads round globe
North of the border, in the US, doctors were advising people worried about the illness to buy painters’ masks from DIY stores as a precautionary measure.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article6173927.ece
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World closer to swine flu pandemic
A new virus has killed up to 149 people in Mexico and the World Health Organization moved closer on Monday to declaring it the first flu pandemic in 40 years as more people were infected in the United States and Europe.
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE53N22820090427
https://twitter.com/swineflu
https://twitter.com/whonews
https://twitter.com/CDCemergency
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Posts
This post is intended as a community PSA to answer some likely questions readers might have in regard to the developing situation concerning the spread of a deadly swine flu to humans.
ReplyDeleteTips for containing spread of swine flu
ReplyDeleteBy The Associated Press – 2 hours ago
A swine flu outbreak appears to have killed dozens of people in Mexico and caused mild illnesses in the United States.
The Atlanta-based federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York City Department of Health are recommending several steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
_If you have flu symptoms, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the disease. Do not return until two days after your symptoms are gone.
_Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands frequently.
_Go to the hospital if you have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, but if your symptoms are mild stay home to avoid spreading the virus to others at the hospital.
_Masks may be recommended for health care workers, family members and others who come in close contact with swine flu patients, but there is no need for the general public to wear masks.
_It is safe to eat properly handled pork. Cook it to at least 160 degrees.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Also, if you do feel compelled to wear a mask make sure it is an N95 grade respiratory mask, and not just "any old mask", and change them at the appropriate time intervals, which should be noted on the package.
I think the important thing we can take from all of this, stop having sex with pigs... it just isn't worth it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it is now socially acceptable to wear a mask, I think I'll be extra cautious and go for a full cowl.
Michael Jackson was ahead of his time with the whole mask thing.
ReplyDelete