How to Combat Swine Flu

What is Swine Flu?

• Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses

• People don’t normally get swine flu, but human infections can happen

• Transmission is limited and not sustained beyond three people

How Does Swine Flu Spread?

• Person to person– Coughing– Sneezing– Touching an object with the virus on it then

touching your mouth and nose

• From pigs to people and vice versa– Pig barns– Livestock exhibits

What are the symptoms?

• Fever• Cough• Sore throat• Runny nose• Body aches• Headaches• Chills and fatigue• Nausea• Diarrhea and vomiting

Emergency Warning Signs in Children

• 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 return with fever and

worse cough• Fever with a rash

Emergency Warning Signs in Adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

What Should I Do to Keep from Getting the Flu?

• Stay in good general health• Get plenty of sleep• Be physically active• Manage your stress• Drink plenty of fluids• Eat nutritious food• Avoid close contact with people who are sick• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

What should I do to keep from getting the flu? Con’t

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash

• If you get sick, stay home from work or school to avoid infecting others

• MOST IMPORTANT: WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

Washing Your Hands

When to Wash Your Hands Before

• Touching your hand to your mouth including– Eating – Drinking– Brushing your teeth

• Helping a sick person

Wash Your Hands After• Going to the bathroom• Changing diapers• Touching high-hand contact surfaces, such as:

– Doorknobs– Railings– Tables (cafeteria)– School desks– Commonly used or shared school supplies

• Helping a sick person• Blowing your nose

How to Wash Your Hands

1. Wet your hands with warm water

2. Apply a generous amount of soap

3. Rub your hands together for 20 seconds

4. Rinse your hands

5. Dry your hands with a paper towel

6. Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door

FAQ’s

• Can I use alcohol-based hand sanitizers?– When soap is not available, alcohol-based

disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them at any supermarket or drug store.

– If using the gel sanitizer, rub your hands until the gel is dry. You don’t need to use any water and the alcohol kills the germs on your hands.

FAQ’s

• How long can an infected person spread the swine flu to others?– Contagious as long as they are symptomatic– 7 days following the illness onset– Children might be contagious for longer periods of

time

FAQ’s

• What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?– Doorknobs– Railings– Tables (cafeteria)– School desks– Commonly used or shared school supplies– Office supplies– Work stations– Remote control– Phone

FAQ’s

• Can I get the swine flu from eating or preparing pork?– No, the virus is not spread by food. You cannot get

the virus from eating pork or pork products. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

FAQ’s

• What about traveling to Mexico or other contaminated areas?– The CDC has not recommended that people avoid

travel to Mexico or other affected areas at this time. If or when you travel, you can reduce your personal risk of infection by following these CDC recommendations to help you stay healthy:

FAQ about Travel con’t• Monitor the situation where you intend to travel by

reviewing informational web sites, such as the CDC’s (www.cdc.gov/travel).

• Make specific preparations for your trip:– Pack a travel health/first aid kit– Identify health care resources in the area you intend to

travel– Check your health insurance plan to determine your

coverage while traveling– See your doctor or a travel medicine specialist to

update your vaccination status, get specific recommendations for possible antiviral medication should you need them, or to answer specific questions regarding where you plan to travel

FAQ about Travel con’t

• And while traveling:– Pay attention to announcements from the local

government or public health officials– Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of

germs– Seek medical care if you are sick and avoid further

travel until you are free of symptoms

FAQ about Travel con’t

• Also be sure to monitor your health for 7-10 days after your return and seek medical care if you become sick. Make sure to tell your doctor about your symptoms as well as your recent travel history.

Sources

DSHS Pandemic Flu Resource Page http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/comprep/pandemic/default.shtm

CDC Website www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/index.htm

Swine Flu Hotline 1-888-777-5320

Tarrant County Public Health

http://www.tarrantcounty.com/eHealth/site/default.asp

Contact Information

Barney FudgeConsultant for School Health & SDFSC

P: (817) 740-7637F: (817) 740-3622bfudge@esc11.net

ESC Region XI3001 North Freeway

Fort Worth, TX 76106