Swine Flu: Should You Be Worried?

By Author: Dr. Victor Marchione
Total Articles: 90
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There is a new flu virus that is causing some concern in the worldwide health community. It’s called “swine flu” (H1N1), and it is spread by a virus. This new strain of influenza has killed 103 people in Mexico and spread across North America and possibly as far afield as Spain and New Zealand.
No one is certain about how contagious or potent the virus is. Medical experts are struggling to determine how serious the symptoms of swine flu are and what its patterns of transmission are.
Before talking about swine flu specifically, it might be helpful to review just what the flu is in general. Here are 10 facts that you should know about the symptoms of influenza and how it is transmitted.
Ten Flu Facts
1. “Influenza” Refers to a Family of Viruses
These viruses can include influenza A, influenza B and influenza C.
2. Symptoms of Influenza
Symptoms of the flu can include sudden onset of fever, muscle aches, headaches, cough, diarrhea and vomiting. The flu feels far more severe than a cold.
3. The Flu is Highly Contagious
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... People can pass flu along no matter where they are in the life cycle of the illness. That means that the virus can be transmitted before you feel ill and after you feel better. Flu viruses can be found not only in nasal secretions, but also in fecal matter.
4. Flu’s Incubation Period
The “incubation period” for flu is usually 24 hours. The time that it takes from infection before symptoms develop is usually about 24 to 48 hours, although it is not clear what the case is for this new swine flu.
5. The Flu is Airborne
The virus can be transmitted on particles of saliva and mucus. That means that when people cough and sneeze close to one another, they can pass on the virus. Experts generally agree that three feet (one meter) is the distance that these particles can travel between people.
6. Flu is Hard to Kill
Flu viruses can live for days or even weeks on dry surfaces. More and more evidence shows that people very frequently infect themselves by touching a contaminated surface, such as a computer keyboard, then touching the nose, eyes or mouth.
7. Flu Viruses Evolve
New flu strains emerge regularly. This is why the annual flu vaccine must be reformulated every year.
8. Flu Starts in Animals
It is believed that flu viruses begin in animals. Little changes, or mutations, in DNA can allow animal viruses to more easily infect people. Some viruses cause more serious symptoms than others.
9. Flu can be Deadly
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that flu kills 250,000 to 500,000 people in a normal year, and more during pandemics. Large-scale pandemics last occurred in 1968, 1957 and 1918.
10. Flu Causes Pneumonia
Flu most often kills by causing pneumonia. Flu viruses can also make people more vulnerable to bacterial infections that can kill.
How Swine Flu Spreads
Now that you understand a little about flu viruses in general, you’ll want to know some specific things about swine flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released information about how swine flu spreads in humans.
Here is a summary of the important points that you should know:
• Swine flu viruses typically cause illness in pigs, not humans; most swine flu cases occur when people come into contact with infected pigs or contaminated objects that move between people and pigs
• Pigs can catch human and bird flu; when flu viruses from different species infect pigs, they can mix inside the pig, and new, mixed viruses can emerge
• Pigs can pass mutated viruses back to humans; these mutated viruses can be passed from human to human; transmission among humans usually occurs in the same way as with seasonal flu: by touching something contaminated with flu viruses and touching one’s mouth or nose, as well as through coughing or sneezing
• Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to those of seasonal influenza; these symptoms include sudden fever, coughing, muscle aches and extreme fatigue; swine flu also appears to cause more diarrhea and vomiting than normal flu does
• Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza, but there is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu yet — the CDC is trying to formulate one; you may be able to get some protection from the seasonal influenza vaccine, which can provide protection against swine H3N2, but not against swine H1N1 viruses, which is the strain of swine flu that is circulating now
• You can’t catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products; cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160ºF (71ºC) kills the swine flu virus, along with other bacteria and viruses
Where Did Swine Flu Originate?
Mexico seems to have been hardest hit by the swine flu virus. It has been the epicenter of an outbreak that has spread to 19 countries.
Mexico City, with a population of 20 million, has been partially shut down. It is likely to resume normal activities, while still observing certain health precautions, following a five-day shutdown that attempted to limit the virus’ spread.
It appears that the H1N1 flu outbreak peaked in Mexico between April 23 and 28. Mexican health officials report that fewer people have gone to hospitals with serious flu symptoms since the outbreak of the virus. Mexican authorities have scaled back their estimate of deaths from the flu strain to over 100, down from 176. Only 19 deaths in Mexico are confirmed as being caused by the new strain of swine flu.
However, new cases of the virus that mix swine, avian and human flu strains are still being tracked across the world, keeping alive fears of the threat of a pandemic. The WHO says that its laboratories have identified a total of 898 H1N1 flu infections worldwide.
No More Severe Than Normal Flu
In the U.S., the flu has spread to 30 states and infected 226 people, according to the CDC. The flu seems to be affecting mostly younger people, with very few cases reported in those over 50.
If you are concerned about the swine flu, you should know that officials say that the new strain isn’t any more severe than what you would typically find during normal seasonal flu. They also caution, however, that the flu can still have a significant impact on people’s lives.
Is There a Vaccine?
The U.S. government is hoping to have a vaccine ready for the new swine flu strain by autumn. Health officials and scientists from around the world are focusing on how the new mutated flu strain may be passed between animals and humans.
The WHO wants to increase surveillance in both humans and animals now that the latest H1N1 strain was found to have infected pigs in Canada. A traveler carried the virus from Mexico to Canada and infected his family and a pig herd.
Protect Yourself from Swine Flu
One of the most effective prevention measures when it comes to swine flu is the simple task of regular hand washing. It you have any symptoms that you think might be caused by swine flu, contact your health-care provider. Do not go out to public places until you have determined the cause of your symptoms. Make sure that you wash your hands and clean any surfaces in your home.

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