New Swine Influenza Pandemic
What is Swine Influenza?
Swine Influenza is a respiratory sickness of pigs caused by H1N1 A influenza viruses that causes frequent outbreaks in pigs. Humans do not usually contract H1N1 Swine Influenza, but human infections can and do occur. There was similar Influenza flu outbreaks occurred in the past. H1N1 Swine Influenza viruses have been known to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this type of spreading was limited and not gone beyond three people.
Is this H1N1 Swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has confirmed that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is transmitting from human to human. Neverthless, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What are the symptoms of H1N1 Swine Influenza in people?
The H1N1 Flu symptoms in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human Influenza flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 Swine Influenza. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 Swine Influenza infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 Swine Influenza may result in a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
How does H1N1 Swine Influenza spread?
Spread of this H1N1 Swine Influenza virus is believed to be occurring in similar way that regular 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 being in contact with Influenza viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Can I get H1N1 Swine influenza from consuming or cooking pork?
No. H1N1 Swine Influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get H1N1 Swine Influenza from consuming pork or pork products. Consumption of cleanly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
How can persons with the H1N1 Swine Influenza infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to spread to others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to a week after becoming infacted. That means that individual may be able to spread on the H1N1 Swine Influenza to someone else before you know he is infected, as well as while he or she is sick.
Recommended Resource:
To learn further about H1N1 Swine Influenza pandemic we recommend you to download and read the How to Prevent Swine Flu here.
Posted: May 9th, 2009 under Health Conditions.