swine flu information
What is H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)?
Swine Flu Influenza is a breathing, or respiratory, disease caused when Type A Influenza infects pigs. This "Swine Flu" or h1n1 Viruses causes regular outbreaks throughout the pig population and usually causes increased levels of infection and illness but very low death rates.
How dangerous is Swine Flu to humans?
The Swine Flu Viruses usually do not infect humans but there have been multiple pandemic outbreaks in the past. In the last century, there have been two major outbreaks of swine influenza in the United States.
- In 1918, a h1n1 Swine Flu pandemic resulted in the deaths of over 670,000 Americans with the global death toll cases over 40 million. At the time, there was no curative vaccination treatments for the flu virus.
- Then there was a 1976 Swine Flu "Epidemic" that caused mass vaccinations to treat the Swine Flu Virus. The 1976 viruses were contained with swift prevention. Some say this was a rush to action but in light of the Swine Flu 1918 Pandemic, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Usually the viral disease infects people who come into contact with pigs. H1N1 can be contracted by workers in the swine industry such as a pig farm or pork processing plant and the swine infections can be transmitted to children who handle pigs at a fair or petting zoo.
What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?
Some of the possible Symptoms of Swine Flu include:
- Weakness or Lethargy
- Loss of Appetite
- Full Body Aches
- Shortness of Breath
- Sudden Fever Greater than 101.4
- Nasal congestion and Runny Nose
The usual influenza incubation period is 4-5 days. Then best-case-scenario, about 14-20 days depending on the heath of the person and the type of germ contracted.
How to Avoid Swine Flu?
The easy answer:
- WASH YOUR HANDS! Practice Hand Washing before eating, touching your face and eyes, and before touching anything you or your children might handle regularly such as doorknobs, refrigerator doors and computer keyboards.