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Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) have information available regarding this current health situation. Here is a summary of the information from both sites.
This virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets, usually from coughing. Secondary contact can spread the virus. This can occur by shaking hands or touching items handled by a person with symptoms then touching one’s own mouth, eyes or nose. Individuals are contagious only when they have symptoms.
The best prevention is to avoid anyone who is coughing. If contact is unavoidable, frequent hand-washing is the best preventative. If you do not have soap and water and cannot wash your hands, use of alcohol-based gels will help.
The incubation period for this virus is relatively short; the elapsed time from exposure to the onset of symptoms is typically 48 hours.
Symptoms include:
- cough
- sore throat
- fever (102°F or higher)
- body aches
- chills
The symptoms are quite obvious, and the infected individuals are very, very sick. This is not simply, "I don't feel well."
The CDC recommends that those in the United States who do not feel well should stay home from work, school and public places.
All reported cases of swine flu in the United States were individuals who recently traveled to Mexico. Confirmed cases are in California, Texas, New York, Kansas and Ohio (20 total as of April 27). Currently, there are no travel restrictions to and from Mexico.
Mexico has closed schools, churches, stores and other public venues in the densest population centers. In the less-populated areas, officials are asking individuals with symptoms to stay indoors.
The flu vaccine distributed last year did not include the swine flu. Humans do not have any natural immunity to this virus.
As of April 27, the number of deaths in Mexico was reported to be 103. Medical officials suspect the primary reason for the deaths is that most waited too long to seek medical care. No fatalities have been reported in the United States.
Even if you or a family member has recently been to Mexico, that does not guarantee that you will become ill.
Should you develop any of the symptoms described, contact your doctor or go to the hospital immediately. Tests can confirm whether you are infected with the swine flu.
For more details visit either website or contact the DAN Medical Department.
About the virus
In terms of transmission, incubation period and clinical symptoms, there is nothing special or unique about this virus. It mutates, or changes form, every day. This strain of flu has the capacity to change forms and find new hosts. Previously limited to swine, it can now replicate to humans.
Fatalities usually result from secondary complications, but in most cases they behave like any other virus responsible for the flu. What makes these flu viruses so contagious is that they are spread through the air. Coughing spreads these tiny airborne drops that a new host could inhale. These invisible droplets can even infect someone if they make contact with the sclera (the white part of the eyes). Thus, it's not just about covering our mouths and noses.
These droplets can remain suspended in the air for up to two hours in poorly ventilated areas. Someone coughing is a clear sign of some kind of airway disease, but just talking will create, release and disseminate these droplets too.
Source: CDC
Preventing the flu
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your mouth during a cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.
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