Swine flu worries

swine worries

All of us are caught up in the scare OF swine flu . Moreover as the mortality rate is increasing, panic levels of the common public is also rising beyond limits.
The most important thing in such a scenario is to stay calm and make yourself understand with the right information that will definitely help you take necessary precautions to prevent infections from this flu viruses.
Below are the list of frequently asked questions on swine flu in order to address some of your most common concerns about this virus.that is, What is Swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease found in pigs caused by Type" A" influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.
Swine flu viruses spreads from person to person, but in past,it was said that this transmission was limited and did not sustain beyond 3 people.
the important question is:-
Is the current swine flu contagious virus?
Various investigation at international agencies (US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, World Health Organization) have determined that the recent outbreak of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is tranfering from human to human.
What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
It is a viral infection and its most common symptoms are fever, running or blocked nose, nausea, chills, cough, sore throat, body ache, weakness and fatigue all these are easily detected if ful attention is paid to ones health.
these symptoms are similar to the regular human flu symptoms. Some have reported diarrhea and vomiting too.
Like seasonal flu, this flu may also cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
How does this swine flu spread?
Spread of this virus is thought to happen in the similar way in which seasonal flu spreads.
Flu viruses are generally spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing of a viral infected person with influenza. most of the time people gets infected by touching things with living flu viruses on it and then they touch their mouth, eyes or nose.
How is human infection with swine influenza diagnosed?
To diagnose swine influenza 'A' infection, a respiratory specimen is generally needed it is collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus. However,children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer.
Identification as a swine flu ' A' virus requires sending the specimen to a diagonostic center for testing.
How is it possible that someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may infect others a day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick from this virus. You may be able to pass it to someone else before you know you are sick yourself, as well as while you are sick.
Younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer time periods of more than 10 to 15 days.
If you are a confirmed case of swine flu,keep yourself confined to a room and wear a mask too for others protection.
What are the surfaces that are most likely to be the source of contamination?
Doorknobs, desks, telephones etc . Anything that an infected person touches becomes contaminated with the virus. If a healthy person touches the same thing and then touches the nose, eyes or mouth, he/ she will also contract the virus.
How long can these viruses live outside the body?
Some viruses and bacteria live 2 hours or longer on the surfaces like tables, doorknobs, and desks.
It is seen that frequent hand washing helps to reduce the chance of contamination .
What will I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Use disposable tissues and dispose them carefully.
Wash your hands with soap and running water well and especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based gel or foam soap hand sanitizers are very effective in killing these viruses.
There is always some virus on tabletops, telephones and computers. So try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth very often.
How does hand washing helps prevent infections like swine flu or others?
Washing hands often can protect us from the germs that may have been transferred from direct or indirect contact with an infected person .
What if I do not have immediate access to water?
In the absence of water availability, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer to kill germs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective in destroying viruses and bacteria instantly.

some tips and advice:-
Routine cleansing of hands is important.
Before touching or eating food wash your hands with soap.
Before and after attending to a sick person change your clothes and wash your hands well.
Before touching a baby or infant check that you yourself are germ free.
During travel or after using public transport clean yourself well .
After contact with surfaces in public places wash your hands properly.
After using the washroom and public toilet clean your hands well.
After handling pets and animals.
After visiting a hospital or a nursing home.
After doing household work such as cleaning, dusting, handling garbage bags etc