What exactly is the swine flu?
Novel H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus 
causing illness and respiratory infection in people worldwide. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. However, further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. So technically, it’s a human flu virus.
Who is at risk for contracting swine flu?
Most U.S. cases of H1N1 swine flu have been in older children and young adults. It’s not clear why this is or if this pattern will shift.
Also, certain groups are at particularly high risk of severe disease or bad outcomes if they get the flu:
- Young children, especially those under 12 months of age
- Elderly people are at high risk of severe flu disease. But relatively few swine flu cases have been seen in people over age 65.
- Women who are pregnant
- People with cardiovascular conditions (except high blood pressure)
- People with liver problems, kidney problems, blood disorders (including sickle cell disease), neurologic disorders, neuromuscular disorders or metabolic disorders
- People with immune suppression, including HIV infection and medications that suppress the immune system, such as cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs for transplants
- Residents of a nursing home or other chronic-care facility
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting. Of course, these symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions. That means that you and your doctor can’t know, just based on your symptoms, if you’ve got swine flu. Health care professionals may offer a rapid flu test, although a negative result doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have the flu.
Only lab tests can definitively show whether you’ve got swine flu. State health departments can do these tests. But given the large volume of samples coming in to state labs, these tests are being reserved for patients with severe flu symptoms.
How is swine flu treated?
Keep in mind that many people who have come down with swine flu have recovered without treatment. However, it is best to err with the side of caution in cases of the swine flu. Pandemic swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. The CDC recommends these drugs to prevent or treat swine flu; the drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms.
Tamiflu or Relenza may also be used to prevent swine flu. The CDC recommends this “can be considered” for people at high risk of severe flu illness who come into close contact with someone who has the flu.
Is there a vaccine for the swine flu?
Not yet. But vaccines are being made in large quantities. Clinical tests will begin in August 2009. Depending on how long federal officials wait for the results of these tests, tens of millions of doses of swine flu vaccine could be ready as soon as September 2009, with more vaccine becoming available each month thereafter.
Even if officials decide to make a swine flu vaccine for this winter, many questions remain. It’s not yet clear whether people will need one or two shots or whether an immune-boosting substance called adjuvant will have to be used.
The first doses of vaccine likely will go to critically important workers such as first responders and essential military personnel. Also likely to be at the front of the line are pregnant women and young children ages 6 months to 4 years, with older school kids and the elderly to follow.
What are some tips for avoiding swine flu in the first place?
The CDC recommends taking these steps:
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing!
- Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. That’s not easy to do, so keep those hands clean to be on the safe side.
- If you have flu-like symptoms — fever plus at least cough or sore throat or other flu symptoms — stay home for seven days after symptoms begin.
- Wear a face mask if you must come into close contact with a sick person.
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