Swine Flu Outbreak in the USA and Mexico

As of 7:30 pm Saturday, April 25, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a total count of 11 cases of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) in the United States. This is a new virus which contains "genes from  North American swine and avian influenza, human influenza and swine influenza normally found in Asia and Europe" according to the chief of the CDC's Influenza Division. Of note is that none of the patients had contact with either people that had regular contact with pigs or pigs themselves. This strain of swine flu has also shown some resistance to antiviral drugs.

California has seven cases; Texas and Kansas each have two laboratory confirmed cases of the virus. At this time, there are currently eight unconfirmed cases of the Swine Flu in a private school, St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, New York. Specimens have been obtained from the students and have been sent to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to confirm the presence of Swine Flu. According to Anne Schuchat, MD, the CDC's interim deputy director for science and public health program, declared at a news conference, "We are likely to find it [Swine Flu] in many other places. We don't think containment [of the virus] is feasible."

On the international front, in Mexico City 68 people have die pneumonia and 20 of these are a confirmed result from Swine Flu. Investigations, at this time, continue to see if these deaths are related to the recent outbreak of Swine Flu. Health officials in the US and Mexico are concerned because over 1,000 people have become infected in Mexico City in a short time span. The illness appears to be more virulent in Mexico that the US.

It is possible that President's Obama's trip may have been exposed to Swine Flu, as he was in Mexico at the approximate time of the initial outbreak. Apparently, the anthropologist that greeted Obama at the Anthropology Museum in Mexico City, died the following day of flu-like symptoms. It has not been confirmed if the anthropologist, Felipe Solis, died of Swine Flu or not.

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Recent Outbreak of Swine Flu

Various news and health agencies are now reporting an outbreak of influenza called the swine flu. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that cases of swine flu have been confirmed in parts of southern California,  near the San Antonio area of Texas, and in Mexico. The CDC is not currently recommending restricted travel to these areas.

Reports indicated that there are already dozens of cases of individuals that have been infected and the fear is that swine flu will continue to spread. What is so concerning about the current spread of swine flu is that a younger age demographic are becoming very ill; this is not the usual pattern, where either the very old or very young typically become severely ill. Following are answers to some questions about swine flu and ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease commonly found among pigs. It is caused by a strain of influenza—type A. It is not normally infectious to humans, but can be transmitted through contact with infected pigs or contaminated surfaces/areas.

How is swine flu spread?

Again, although not usual, it can be spread through human contact with infected pigs or surfaces contaminated with swine flu virus. It can also be spread from person-to-person through droplets: coughing and sneezing.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

The symptoms of swine flu are generally very similar to what you would expect with strains of flu common to humans: fever, sore throat, weakness, headache, chills, cough, and aching body.

Can swine flu kill?

According to the CDC the swine influenza has been known to cause severe respiratory illness, including pneumonia and respiratory failure and even death. Generally, even with infection of usual human strains of influenza there is a risk that some will become more acutely ill or potentially die from complications of the illness. Those with chronic disease are at an increased risk for particularly severe bouts of illness.

Can I get swine flu from eating pork or pork products?

No. The CDC states that swine flu is not transmitted through eating pork products.

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Swine Flu Incubation Periods Being Discussed in the News as Swine Flu Outbreak Continues

With the recent swine flu outbreak comes worries about both swine flu symptoms and what the swine flu incubation period is considered. The disease continues to spread to Mexico, and  with even more cases popping up in the southern United States, as well as in a New Zealand group that had visited the country, worry is starting to spread about exactly what this virus can do, and how contagious it can be in humans. With that in mind, it is important to be very aware of swine flu symptoms and how long the flu stays in the human body.

The answer to how long that the swine flu can be contagious, or how long the swine flu incubation period can be is unfortunately a variable number depending on who has contracted the virus. According to information from the Minnesota Star Tribune, "infected persons are contagious for up to seven days from the onset or longer if they continue to display symptoms." This is taken directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but is a tad unfortunate, because that means that there is no specific number of days that can be assigned to someone who has been determined to have the swine flu.

Some of the most prevalent swine flu symptoms are fevers, a cough, or a sore throat, which again, also translate to being symptoms of other diseases. Some of those who have contracted swine flu have also been seen to have diarrhea or uncontrollable vomiting, with others also having additional symptoms of just not feeling very well at first. In all documented instances, the swine flu has shown that a fever is one of the ways that the body is trying to deal with the virus, so an elevated internal temperature is definitely something to watch for if you or someone you know has been in an infected area. In all instances, make sure to have it documented by a registered physician rather than just assuming that you may have become sick because of the swine flu.

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The Swine Flu Outbreak

The Swine Flu is in the news of late with outbreaks in Mexico and parts of the United States. Here is my disclaimer, I am not a doctor nor do I work in the health care profession. I am a writer who did a little research  on Swine Flu and wanted to share what I found. According to the CNN website the Swine Flu recently infected 8 people in the United States and killed at least 68 in Mexico.

Swine Flu is what is sounds like, a strain of influenza that usually affects hogs but can spread to people. Like all forms of the flu this version is the most dangerous to the very old, very young and people with a compromised immune system.

The best way to avoid catching the Swine Flu is by frequent hand washing and by avoiding people who are clearly sick. Of course using some type of germ killing disinfectant in your home cleaning can probably help as well. Out in public be aware of where you put your hands, door knobs often are loaded with germs. Ladies you may also want to reconsider laying your purse on the floor in a public place. When you pick it up you also pick up lots of germs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (hereafter referred to as CDC) has this to say about Swine Flu on their website. The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Click this link to go to the CDC page for more information on Swine Flu or other topics.

Let me be clear about how you catch Swine Flu, you don't do so by eating pork. You can catch Swine Flu from an infected person or by being around infected hogs. There are vaccines to protect pigs or hogs but not humans form Swine Flu.

The problem with virus's like Swine Flu is that they adapt over time and are able to shake off attempts to fight them with medicines. One advantage we have in America over Mexico though is better health care. I don't expect the Swine Flu outbreak to be as bad or as deadly in the United States.

Sources

Cnn.com

CDC.gov

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