Dr. Bresee: Hello.
I'm Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division.
I'm here to speak with you today about swine flu.
First I'll begin by explaining what swine flu is.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs
caused by type A influenza viruses.
Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs.
People do not normally get swine flu,
but human infections can and do occur.
Most commonly, human cases of swine flu
happen in people who are around pigs,
but it's possible for swine-flu viruses
to spread from person to person, also.
The symptoms of swine flu in people
are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu
and include fever, cough, sore throat,
body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting
associated with swine flu as well.
In the past, severe illnesses
such as pneumonia and respiratory failure,
as well as deaths, have been reported
with swine-influenza infection in people as well.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening
of underlying chronic medical conditions.
I'll now discuss the severity of swine-flu illnesses in people.
Similar to seasonal flu, swine flu in humans
can vary in severity from mild to severe.
Between 2005 until January 2009,
12 human cases of swine flu
were detected in the United States
with no deaths occurring.
However, swine-flu infection can be serious.
In September 1988,
a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman
in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia
after being infected with swine flu,
and she died eight days later.
A swine-flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey,
occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases
with severe illness in several people and one death.
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways.
The first way is through contact with infected pigs
or environments contaminated with swine-flu viruses.
The second way is through contact
with a person infected with the swine-flu virus.
Human-to-human spread of swine flu has also been documented
and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu.
Influenza is thought to be spread mainly person-to-person
through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Next I would like to tell you about medicines
that can be used to treat swine flu.
CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir
for the treatment and, alternatively, the prevention
of infection with these swine-flu viruses.
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines
such as pills, liquids, or an inhaler
that fights against the flu by keeping flu viruses
from reproducing in your body.
If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder
and can make you feel better faster.
They may also prevent serious flu complications.
For treatment, antiviral drugs
work best if started soon after getting sick,
specifically within two days of symptoms.
People with swine-influenza infection
should be considered potentially contagious
as long as they are symptomatic
and possibly for up to seven days
following the illness onset.
Children, especially younger children,
might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
There is no vaccine available right now
to protect against swine flu.
However, there are everyday actions that people can take
to help prevent the spread of germs
that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water,
especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza,
CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school
and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
because germs can spread that way.
Now I will move on to discuss what you should do
if you get sick.
If you live in an area
where swine-flu infections have been reported
and if you become ill with influenza-like symptoms,
including fever, body aches, runny nose,
sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea,
you may want to contact your healthcare provider,
particularly if you're worried about your symptoms.
Your healthcare provider
will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you're sick, you should stay home
and avoid contact with other people as much as possible
to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become ill
and experience any of the following warning signs,
seek emergency medical care.
In children, emergency warning signs
that need urgent medical attention
include fast breathing or trouble breathing,
bluish skin color,
not drinking enough fluids,
not waking up or not interacting,
being so irritable
that the child does not want to be held,
fever with a rash,
or flu-like symptoms that improve
but then return with a fever and worse cough.
In adults, emergency warning signs
that need urgent medical attention
include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,
pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen,
sudden dizziness, confusion,
and severe or persistent vomiting.
People don't need to worry about eating or preparing pork.
Swine-influenza viruses are not spread by food.
Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.