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Swine Flu Outbreak

May 8th, 2009

The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. As of Wednesday, April 29th, 2009, 66 human cases of this novel swine influenza virus A (H1N1) have been identified in the United States, with 45 in New York, 11 in California, six in Texas, two in Kansas, and one each in Indiana and Ohio.

Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.

In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks. The increase in the pandemic alert phase indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased.

The CDC recommends, first and most important, wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

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. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) 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.

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

There are everyday actions that can 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 waste basket after you use it.

·       Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.

·       Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

·       Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

·       If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, or nausea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

For information about acupuncture for health and wellness call Dr. Richard Browne, Acupuncture Physician, at (305) 595-9500.  

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