Swine Flu FAQ

1) What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a disease that pigs get. This flu outbreak normally happens to the pig world wide and it does not affect human. In rare cases peoples are affected by this virus when they have a close contact with the pigs. Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus and it a version of this virus that has started to attack human.

2) What are the symptoms of swine flu?

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the seasonal flu. The symptoms like:

• High fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Body aches

In addition people might get vomiting and diarrhea.

3) Will swine flu leads to death?

People can die from swine flu if they have complicated problems like pneumonia.

4) How long are people contagious to the swine flu virus?

Adults are contagious for seven days from the day one of their symptoms. And the children can be contagious up to 10 from the day of infection. The shedding stage of the virus starts during the first 4 to 5 days of illness.

5) Is there any possibility for the second attack of swine flu for a person who already by attacked by the virus?

Yes there are possibilities to catch the virus for the second time since H1N1 virus can mutate. Once you are affected by the swine flu the body will develop and antibodies that will fight against the virus if it enters the body again. If the virus mutes the body immune system will not able to recognize it and think it as a different strain causing to become sick again.

6) Is there any medicine for swine flu?

Yes there are some medicines for swine flu which can be taken under the supervision of a doctor.

7) Is there a vaccine for swine flu?

No there is no vaccine for swine flu. With the outbreak steps are taken to find the suitable vaccine for it.

8) Who are at the high risk of infection?

The people who are at the high risk group are people with heart diseases, problems in the lungs, kidneys, liver, having neurological problems, children under the age of 5, adults above the age of 65, asthma patients and pregnant women.

9) What is the incubation period?

The incubation period is 1 – 7 days, and in most cases it appears to be 1 – 4 days.

10) Why is swine flu started to affect humans?

This is possible since swine flu has mutated and has developed the ability to infect the humans and to transmit between them.

11) Does the swine flu H1N1 virus is same as the Human H1N1 virus?

No both the viruses are very different. Swine flu virus is antigenically different from the human virus. Therefore the vaccine meant for seasonal flu will not provide any protection against the swine flu virus.

12) How can the swine flu infection be diagnosed?

To diagnose the swine flu the respiratory specimen of the infected person should be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of infection. Then the specimen should be send to CDC for laboratory testing.

13) Will I get swine flu by eating port?

No swine flu virus is transmitted by the food. No, you will not get swine flu by eating pork or pork products. It is always safe to eat the pork which is properly handled and nicely to cook. Cooking the pork at a temperature of about 160°F will kill all the virus and bacteria.