Swine flu: awareness is key
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease caused by Type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determined that this strain of swine virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human in ways very similar to the spread of the "seasonal flu," primarily through coughing or sneezing or touching something that has been exposed to the virus and then touching the mouth or nose. However, unlike seasonal flu, there is no vaccination for swine flu, which makes the strain a particular concern for the young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Infected people can infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.
Swine flu has most of the same symptoms as the seasonal flu, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. Unless emergency warning signs such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, ever with a rash or dehydration occur, infected people should stay home and limit contact with other people.
The best protection from any strain of flu, including swine flu, is to practice good prevention. When sneezing or coughing, cover the nose and mouth with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the crook of the arm and not into the hand. Also, wash hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer does not replace hand washing; however it can be used in addition to hand washing or when hand washing is not available. Finally, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious meals helps the body stay healthy and better fight the flu and the symptoms.
A general rule of thumb for avoiding close contact with people who are sick is to maintain a distance of three to six feet. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus and frequently wipe down commonly shared items such as telephones, door knobs and keyboards with a sanitization wipe.
For more information on swine flu, log on to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov or the World Health Organization at www.who.int, or contact the Minot AFB Public Health office at 701-723-5204.
Swine flu has most of the same symptoms as the seasonal flu, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. Unless emergency warning signs such as difficulty breathing, chest pain or pressure, dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, ever with a rash or dehydration occur, infected people should stay home and limit contact with other people.
The best protection from any strain of flu, including swine flu, is to practice good prevention. When sneezing or coughing, cover the nose and mouth with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the crook of the arm and not into the hand. Also, wash hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer does not replace hand washing; however it can be used in addition to hand washing or when hand washing is not available. Finally, drinking plenty of fluids and eating nutritious meals helps the body stay healthy and better fight the flu and the symptoms.
A general rule of thumb for avoiding close contact with people who are sick is to maintain a distance of three to six feet. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus and frequently wipe down commonly shared items such as telephones, door knobs and keyboards with a sanitization wipe.
For more information on swine flu, log on to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov or the World Health Organization at www.who.int, or contact the Minot AFB Public Health office at 701-723-5204.
