Some Facts about Swine Flu H1N1

1 1
 What is swine flu?

• Swine Influenza (swine flu)

is a respiratory disease of
pigs caused by Type A
influenza viruses that
causes regular outbreaks in
pigs.

• 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.

2
Is the current swine flu virus contagious?

• Various international agencies (US Centers for Disease

Control & Prevention, World Health Organization) have
determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is
contagious and is spreading from human to human.

• WHO has escalated the world Pandemic Phase from Phase 3

to Phase 4 (in a 6-scale Phase), indicating that a worldwide
pandemic due to swine flu H1N1 is possible.

3
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu
in 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.

• Some people have reported diarrhea

and vomiting associated with swine
flu. In the past, severe illness
(pneumonia and respiratory failure)
and deaths have been reported with
swine flu infection in people.

• Like seasonal flu, swine flu may

cause a worsening of underlying
chronic medical conditions.

4
 How does swine flu spread?

• 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 live flu viruses on it and then
touching their mouth or nose.

5
How are human infections with swine
influenza diagnosed?

• To diagnose swine influenza A

infection, a respiratory specimen
would generally need to be collected
within the first 4 to 5 days of illness
(when an infected person is most
likely to be shedding virus).

• However, some persons, especially

children, may shed virus for 10 days
or longer.

• Identification as a swine flu influenza

A virus requires sending the
specimen to a hospital laboratory for
testing.

6
 How can someone with the flu infect someone
else?

• Infected people may be able to

infect others beginning 1 day before
symptoms develop and up to 7 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.

7
How long can an infected person spread
swine flu to others?
• People with swine influenza
virus infection should be
considered potentially
contagious as long as they
are symptomatic and
possible for up to 7 days
following illness onset.

• Children, especially younger

children, might potentially
be contagious for longer
periods.

8
Is there a vaccine for Pandemic Flu?
• Because the virus is new, there will be no
vaccine ready to protect against
pandemic flu.

• Vaccine against Swine Flu virus H1N1

needs at least 6-12 months to be
produced.

• Seasonal flu vaccine or past flu

immunization will not provide protection.

9
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
• Yes. The US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir
(Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment
and/or prevention of infection with these swine
influenza viruses.

• Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid

or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu
viruses from reproducing in your body.

• If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness

milder and make you feel better faster. They may also
prevent serious flu complications.

• For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon

after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

10
What surfaces are most likely to be sources
of contamination?
• The virus can be spread when a person
touches something that is contaminated
with the virus and then touches his or
her eyes, nose, or mouth.

• Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an

infected person move through the air.
The virus can then be spread when a
person touches respiratory droplets
from another person on a surface like a
desk, doorknob, child’s toy or phone
handset and then touches their own
eyes, mouth or nose before washing
their hands.

11
How long can viruses live outside the body?

• We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2

hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables,
doorknobs, and desks.

• Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the

chance of getting contamination from these common
surfaces.

12
 What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after
you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also
effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can

spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school
and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

13
What is the best way to keep from spreading
the virus through coughing or sneezing?
• If you are sick, limit your contact with
other people as much as possible. Do
not go to work or school if ill.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a

tissue when coughing or sneezing. It
may prevent those around you from
getting sick. Put your used tissue in
the waste basket.

• Cover your cough or sneeze if you do

not have a tissue. Then, clean your
hands, and do so every time you
cough or sneeze.

14
What is the best technique for washing my
hands to avoid getting the flu?
• Washing your hands often will help protect
you from germs. Wash with soap and water
or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.

• When you wash your hands -- with soap and

warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20
seconds. When soap and water are not
available, alcohol-based disposable hand
wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You
can find them in most supermarkets and
drugstores.

• If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is

dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the
alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

15
 What should I do if I get sick?
• 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, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, 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.

• If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid

contact with other people as much as possible to
keep from spreading your illness to others.

• If you become ill and experience any of the following

warning signs (next 2 slides), seek emergency
medical care.

16
In children emergency warning signs that
need urgent medical attention include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does
not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then
return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

17
In adults, emergency warning signs that need
urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or
shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest
or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent
vomiting

18
Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal
• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands
after touching used tissues and similar waste.

• Keep surfaces (esp bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, children’s toys, phone handles, doorknobs)
clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately,
but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot
setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands
with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.

• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

19
 Swine Flu Testing Centres
Chennai
• Communicable Disease Hospital, 87, T.H. Road, Tondiarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• King Institute of Preventive Medicine, Guindy, Chennai – 600032. Tel: (24/7 Service)
044-22501706

Hyderabad
• Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital, Erragadda , Hyderabad. Hospital
Helpline Number - 040-23814939

Kolkata
• Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital, 57, Beliaghata Main Road, Kolkata

20
 Swine Flu Testing Centres
Mumbai
• Kasturba Hospital, Arthur Road, Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai 400011 Ph: 022- 23083901
/ 23092458 / 23000889
• Sir JJ Hospital, JJ Marg, Byculla, Mumbai – 08. Tel: Phone (022) 23735555, 23739031
• Haffkine Institute. Tel: 022-24160947, 24160961

New Delhi
• Yellow Fever Quarantine Centre, Near AAI Residential Colony, New Delhi. Ph: 91-11-
25652129
• Influenza Ward, Ward no 5, Second Floor, New Building, RML Hospital, Delhi-1
• RML- 91-11-24525211,23404328,23365525- Ext 4328:

21
 Swine Flu Testing Centres
Pune
• Karve Road hospital, Erandvana Hospital. Contact: Dr Sarita Ganala (9764000939)

• Mhatre Bridge-Late Anandibai Narhar Gadgil Hospital. Contact: Dr Jyotsana Khole (9422987953)

• Ganj Peth-Late Balaji Rakhmaji Gaikwad Hospital. Contact: Dr Sandhya Bahule

• Narayan Peth-Late Kalavatibai Mavale Hospital. Contact: Dr Nila Limaye (9881385015)

• Koregaon Park-Late Bapusaheb Ganuji Kavade Hospital. Contact: Dr Jaya Bhondave (9922504428)

22