Last Updated on Sunday, 12 July 2009 23:04

What Is Swine Flu and How Is It Different From Ordinary Flu?

Swine Flu is a respiratory disease and has some elements of a virus found in pigs. There is no evidence of this disease circulating in pigs in the UK and scientists are investigating its origins.

Swine flu has been confirmed in a number of countries and it is spreading from human to human, which could lead to what is referred to as a pandemic flu outbreak.

Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu because it’s a new flu virus that appears in humans and spreads very quickly from person to person worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) is closely monitoring cases of swine flu globally to see whether this virus develops into a pandemic.

Because it’s a new virus, no one will have immunity to it and everyone could be at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well as older people, younger children and those with existing medical conditions.

How Does Swine Flu Spread?

Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that can be spread through the droplets that come out of your nose when you cough and sneeze.

When you cough and sneeze without covering your nose and mouth with a tissue, those droplets can spread and other will be at risk of breathing them in.

If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are easily spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch, and they can live on those surfaces for some time. Everyday items such as door handles, computer keyboards, mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control are all common surface where flu viruses can be found.

If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, the germs can enter their systems and they can become infected. That’s how all cold and flu viruses, including swine flu, are passed on from person to person.

What have the UK Government Been Doing to Prepare?

They have been planning for a flu pandemic for a number of years, and the UK plan has been identified as one of the best by the World Health Organisation. While the current situation is serious, there’s good reason for us to be confident that they can deal with it. Thanks to the work of scientists who have studies previous pandemics, we know more about treatments and how to stop the virus spreading than ever before.

They have a good stockpile of antiviral drugs – enough to treat more than 33 million people – that’s half the UK population.

Antiviral drugs are not a cure, but they help you to recover if taken within 48 hours of symptoms developing by:

• Relieving the symptoms

• Reducing the length of time that you are ill by about one day

• Reducing the potential for serious complications like pneumonia.

Is There A Vaccination?

Not at this stage. This type of flu is not the same as seasonal flu: it involves a completely new type of virus. A vaccine can only be developed when the specific strain has been identified, and then it would take several months to produce.

The UK governments have agreements in place with manufacturers so that they can get stocks as soon as possible after a vaccine has been developed.

What Can I Do To Protect Myself And Others Against Flu?

The best thing that you can do to protect yourself is to follow good hygiene practices. These will help to slow the spread of the virus and will be the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and others from infection.

When you cough or sneeze it is especially important to follow the rules of good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs:

• Always carry tissues

• Use clean tissues to cover your mouth completely when you cough and sneeze

• Bin the tissue after one use.

• Wash your hands with soap and hot water or a sanitizer gel often

Remember: Catch it, Bin it, Kill it.

Do I Need A Face Mask?

You may have seen face masks being given out to the public in other countries on the news. However, the available scientific evidence shows that these basic face masks don’t protect people from becoming infected.

What Else Can I Do?

There are some other useful actions you can take now to prepare in case swine flu becomes widespread.

• Set up a network of ‘flu friends’. Flu friends are neighbours, friends and relatives who can help you if you get ill. For example, they could collect medicine, food and other supplies for you, so that you don’t have to leave home if you are ill.

• Keep up to date with the latest information on swine flu and follow public health advice and instructions. If swine flu spreads you need to keep informed so that you know what else you can do to protect yourself and your family. As the situation changes, you should keep up to date by watching TV, listening to the radio, checking the internet and looking for announcements in the press.

What Should I do If I have Just Returned From Mexico Or An Affected Country and I think I Might Have Swine Flu?

Stay at home Check your symptoms on www.nhs.uk if possible Call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 513 513 to hear the latest advice. If you have taken these steps and are still concerned, call your GP, or you can call the NHS Direct on 0845 4647. They will give you advice on your symptoms and the next steps you should take.

Do not go to your GP surgery or local accident and emergency department unless you are advised to do so or are seriously ill, because you may spread the virus to others. Ask a flu friend to find out for you.

What Are The Symptoms?

Some of the symptoms are the sudden onset on fever, cough or shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite.

Leave Comments