Swine Flu and 2009 H1N1
What is Swine Flu - Swine Influenza (H1N1)
Swine Flu, or Swine Influenza, is an infectious respiratory disease that usually only affects pigs. The disease is caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses.
The most common swine flu virus is the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes include the H1N2, H3N1, H1N3 ...
Symptoms in humans range from typical flu like symptoms such as coughing, fever, sore throat and aching muscles to more serious pneumonia and other respiratory problems which have the potential for developing into life threatening conditions.
Who is at risk of Swine Flu
Swine Flu viruses do not normally affect humans, but where human infection does occur, it usually follows close contact with pigs. Some closed group instances of human-to-human infection have been recorded.
Because the swine flu virus is killed at temperatures of 70°C / 160°F, pork and other meat from pigs is safe to eat if it has been carefully cooked.
What can I do to prevent Swine Flu
There is no vaccine to prevent Swine Flu, but Laboratory tests have shown that the swine influenza virus can be fought with antiviral medication.
Swine influenza is thought to spread in the same way as seasonal flu. Seasonal influenza viruses are usually spread through coughing or sneezing by infected people.
People who are infected by a flu virus are advised to limit their contact with other people as much as possible to avoid the risk of spreading the disease further. Good personal hygiene, such as covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and regularly washing hands are also thought to help protect those around you.
The current outbreak of "swine flu" - Influenza A 2009 H1N1
While the media is using the term "swine flu", the H1N1 virus is currently affecting people who do not appear to have been in contact with pigs. For that reason the virus is better referred to as Influenza A (H1N1).
The World Health Organisation has declared the current outbreak of the 2009 H1N1 virus to be a public health emergency of international concern.
Individuals travelling to risk areas are advised to follow public health guidelines and to stay current with the latest advice.
Related links
National Pandemic Flu Service (UK) - for patients who have flu
Swine Flu information help line (UK): 0800 1 513 513 -- download the information leaflet
DirectGov (UK) - cross-government information on swine flu
DOH (UK) Guidance for Business in the case of a pandemic flu outbreak (March 2009)
- a booklet to help business reduce the spread of flu within the workplace
FCO (UK) Travel Advisory for Mexico
NHS Choices (UK) - information about "Swine Flu"
WHO (Global) World Health Organisation advice on Influenza A (H1N1)
CDC (USA) with regular updates on "what's new" in the Novel H1N1 Flu Outbreak
Pandemic Flu information (USA) - U.S. Government H1N1, avian and pandemic flu information
18.11.2009
