Swine flu prevention

  • Published
  • By Maj. Maureen Farrell
  • 20th Medical Group
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Federal health officials declared a public health emergency Sunday in response to the swine flu outbreak. By Monday, the number of confirmed cases in the United States rose to 40. Human cases of the illness have surfaced internationally. 

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced, "The public health emergency response declaration is a precautionary measure, and does not mean that the threat posed by the outbreak is worsening. The move allows federal and state governments easier access to flu tests and medications." 

While the term "public health emergency" may alarm many people, according to Napolitano, "This is standard operating procedure, and allows the government to free up Federal, state and local agencies and their resources for prevention and mitigation." 

This permitted the Center for Disease Control's Division of the Strategic National Stockpile to release one-fourth of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak. 

Laboratory testing has found the flu virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. 

However, this is a rapidly evolving situation and the CDC has promised to provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.
 
All 40 U.S. patients -- 28 in New York, seven in California, two in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio -- have recovered. There have been an increased number of cases with flu-like symptoms and/or pneumonia reported from Mexico. The severity of symptoms and fatality rates from Mexico has not been confirmed, but 23 of 65 samples from Mexico submitted to the CDC for laboratory testing are confirmed positive for swine flu. 

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza. Swine flu does not normally infect humans. However, human infections do occur, usually after exposure to pigs. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms, prevention measures and when to seek medical attention. 

Swine flu's symptoms are similar to those of seasonal influenza and they include the following: Fever greater than 100 degrees, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headaches and body aches, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting. 

To prevent the spread of swine flu:
· Avoid contact will sick people
· Cover your nose and mouth with tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing
· Throw used tissues away
· Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm or hot water, or use an alcohol-base hand gel
· Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
· If you think you may be sick, stay home from work, school and social gatherings

Also, normal good health habits contribute to resisting infection: get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. 

Emergency warning signs in children that need urgent medical attention include: fast breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking, not waking up or not interacting, not wanting to be held or consoled, flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever or worse cough, fever with a rash, dehydration and infants less than six month old with a fever. 

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting and dehydration. 

For more information on swine flu, visit the following Web sites: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu, http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html and http://fhp.osd.mil/aiWatchboard.