|
What is swine flu?
|
There
are many types of influenza or “flu.”
The
type that currently has health officials worried is swine influenza
(H1N1).
Swine flu is contagious and is spreading from human to
human.
Three hundred and twelve of swine flu have
been confirmed in Northern Kentucky, but this number may not
accurately reflect the actual number of cases. Because swine flu is
becoming more and more widespread, testing to confirm the presence
of swine flu is limited to persons sick enough to be hospitalized or
at high risk of complications, such as pregnant women. Any person
with flu-like symptoms accompanied by a fever is presumed to have
swine flu.
Learn more about caring for someone with swine flu.
The current level of
flu activity
in Kentucky is sporadic. Sporadic flu activity is
defined by the
CDC as small numbers of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases or a
single laboratory-confirmed influenza outbreak has been reported, but
there is no increase in cases of influenza-like illness. It is the
lowest level of flu activity.
Deaths from this strain of
swine flu have been reported in the U.S., including Kentucky. Six deaths associated with swine flu
have been reported in Northern Kentucky, one of those
being outside of the Health Department's district in Pendleton County. |
|
What are the symptoms of swine flu? |
The
symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal influenza and may include
body aches, coughing, diarrhea,
fever, lack of
appetite, lethargy, nausea, runny nose, sore throat and vomiting. |
|
How
is swine flu spread? |
Spread of this
swine flu virus is thought to be happening in the same
way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from
person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu
viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. |
|
How
can I keep from getting swine flu? |
-
Cover your cough or
sneeze.
-
Wash your hands
often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds or by using
alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers.
-
Avoid touching your
eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches an
object that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her
eyes, nose or mouth.
-
Avoid close contact
with people who are sick.
-
When you are sick,
stay home from work, school and errands. Keep your distance from
others to protect them from getting sick.
|
|
If
I’ve been exposed to swine flu, how long will it take for symptoms to
develop? |
The initial symptoms of
swine flu appear to occur between two and four days after exposure. |
|
What treatments are available for swine flu? How serious is the disease? |
For the most
part, swine flu should be treated with bed rest and plenty of
liquids. You should also avoid alcohol and tobacco. Your doctor may be
able to provide you with antiviral medication that can decrease the length of the
swine flu.
Learn more about antiviral medications and swine flu.
Swine flu can be
fatal and deaths from swine flu have been reported.
|
|
How do I know if I have
swine flu or seasonal flu? |
The
symptoms of swine flu and seasonal flu are very similar. The only way to
determine if a person has swine flu is to have laboratory tests
performed, but due to restraints on resources and the widespread
activity of swine flu, it will be presumed that any person with flu-like
symptoms accompanied by a fever has swine flu. Almost
all influenza viruses identified since April 2009 are swine flu. |
|
Is there a vaccine for
swine flu? |
Appointments for the vaccinations in the county health centers are now being
taken. The
vaccine is provided for free, and is available as both a shot and
nasal spray. Individuals are asked to contact the health center most
convenient for them to schedule an appointment. Locations and phone numbers are:
-
Boone County Health Center, 7505 Burlington Pike, Florence,
Ky. 859.363.2060
-
Campbell
County Health Center, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky. 859.431.1704 (note the
new address)
-
Grant County Health Center, 234 Barnes Road, Williamstown,
Ky. 859.824.5074
-
Kenton County Health Center, 2002 Madison Ave., Covington,
Ky. 859.431.3345
View additional questions and answers about vaccination.
View Vaccine
Information Statements |
|
What should I do if I
have flu symptoms? |
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 health care provider, particularly if you
are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will
determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
Tips for caring
for someone infected with swine flu.
If you are 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
-
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever
and worse cough
-
Fever with a rash
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 or confusion
-
Severe or persistent vomiting
|
|
Can I get swine flu from
eating pork? |
No. Swine
influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine
influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and
cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal
temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria
and viruses. |
|
What is pandemic flu? |
Pandemic flu is
virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of
serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease
can spread easily from person-to-person. On June 11, 2009, the World
Health Organization raised the
worldwide pandemic alert level to 6, indicating that a global pandemic
is underway. WHO's decision to raise the pandemic alert level is a
reflection of the spread of the virus and not its severity. |
|
Where can I get more
information on swine flu? |
Visit the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site.
The Health Department has set up a
swine flu info line: 859.392.0678. Information will be updated on the
telephone line as well as on this Web site. |
