ITALIC is wrong information
RED is information from other sources
BLUE is my opinion
Swine Flu FAQ
WebMD Provides Answers to Your Questions About Swine Flu
By Miranda HittiWebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD
What is swine flu?
Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu) (why it happened in pig?), but swine flu viruses aren't the same as human flu viruses. It is spread among pigs by direct and indirect contact, aerosols, and from pigs that are infected but do not have symptoms. Swine flu doesn't often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current swine flu outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person -- and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs.
Who is at highest risk from H1N1 swine flu?
Most U.S. cases of H1N1 swine flu have been in older children and young adults (How about other countries?). It's not clear why, and it's not clear whether this will change.
But certain groups are at particularly high risk of severe disease or bad outcomes if they get the flu:
· Pregnant women
· Young children, especially those under 12 months of age
· People with heart disease or risk factors for heart disease
· People with HIV infection
· People with chronic diseases
· People taking immune suppressing drugs, such as cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs for transplants
People in these groups should seek medical care or see the doctor as soon as they get flu symptoms.
How does swine flu spread? Is it airborne?
The new swine flu virus apparently spreads just like regular flu. You could pick up germs directly from an infected person, or by touching an object they recently touched, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, delivering their germs for your own infection. That's why you should make washing your hands a habit, even when you're not ill. Infected people can start spreading flu germs up to a day before symptoms start (How was that day?), and for up to seven days after getting sick, according to the CDC.
The swine flu virus can become airborne if you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth, sending germs into the air.
The U.S. residents infected with swine flu virus had no direct contact with pigs. The CDC says it's likely that the infections represent widely separated cycles of human-to-human infections.
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FACTBOX: How swine flu spreads in humans
Thu Apr 30, 2009 5:11am EDT
(Reuters) - Here are some facts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about how swine flu spreads in humans:
* Swine flu viruses typically cause illness in pigs, not humans. Most cases occur when people come into contact with infected pigs or contaminated objects moving between people and pigs. An infected person can pass the virus to another before any symptoms even develop.
* Pigs can catch human and avian or bird flu. When flu viruses from different species infect pigs, they can mix inside the pig and new, mixed viruses can emerge.
* Pigs can pass mutated viruses back to humans, and these can be passed from human to human. Transmission among humans is thought to occur in the same way as with seasonal flu -- by touching something contaminated with flu viruses and then touching one's mouth or nose, and through coughing or sneezing. One of the most effective prevention measures is regular hand washing.
* Symptoms of swine flu in people are very similar to those of seasonal influenza -- sudden fever, coughing, muscle aches, lack of appetite, sore throat and extreme fatigue. This new strain also appears to cause more diarrhea and vomiting than normal fluthe or typical flu.
* Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. (How many vaccines which have to use?) There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu, although the CDC is formulating one. The seasonal influenza vaccine may help to provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not against swine H1N1 viruses like the one circulating now.
* People cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius) kills the swine flu virus along with other bacteria and viruses.
(Editing by Maggie Fox and Kevin Liffey)
Graphic: A detailed look at masks
April 30th, 2009
Posted by: Reuters Staff
Tags: From Reuters.com, health, masks, reutersgraphics, swine flu
What can I do to prevent infection or minimise the effects of symptoms?
If you do show flu-like symptoms, you should follow standard respiratory and hand hygiene, which can help to reduce the transmission of all viruses. This can include:- avoiding close contact with other people and sick people as much as possible.- covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue or your sleeve when possible. Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes. That's not easy to do so keep those hand clean. Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.- maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently especially after coughing or sneezing with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. 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.- cleaning hard surfaces (eg door handles,computer keyboard and money) frequently using a normal cleaning product. If you feel ill, stay home.- making sure your children follow this advice. Try to stay healthy, do some exercise, eat nutritious foods, do not panic, more relax, get plenty of sleep and drink plenty of water.
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Masks keep you from spreading illness
(CNN) -- In Mexico City, the government ran out of surgical masks after handing them out to one of every five residents.
Manufacturers and pharmacies in Europe are also reporting a surge in demand for face masks. And a Texas-based surgical mask producer says it's ramping up to meet demand and expects a shortage of masks.
But their real value seems to be in all of keeping people who are already ill from spreading the virus (Is it can protect all viruses that patient sneezed?), rather than protecting healthy people, experts said.
Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Monday in a press briefing that the "evidence is not very strong" for masks' value outside of health care settings, and outside of settings in which people come into face-to-face contact with a person with an infectious disease. (if they wear a mask and have face-to-face contact with patient, do they infect virus?)
"We would not recommend that people generally wear masks in their workplace as a precautionary measure," he said.
Manufacturers and pharmacies in Europe are also reporting a surge in demand for face masks. And a Texas-based surgical mask producer says it's ramping up to meet demand and expects a shortage of masks.
But their real value seems to be in all of keeping people who are already ill from spreading the virus (Is it can protect all viruses that patient sneezed?), rather than protecting healthy people, experts said.
Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Monday in a press briefing that the "evidence is not very strong" for masks' value outside of health care settings, and outside of settings in which people come into face-to-face contact with a person with an infectious disease. (if they wear a mask and have face-to-face contact with patient, do they infect virus?)
"We would not recommend that people generally wear masks in their workplace as a precautionary measure," he said.
“there's no evidence that wearing masks by well people in public prevents flu,” said N.C. health director Dr. Jeffrey Engel. “There is also a risk of doing it incorrectly and actually making matters worse.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) also warns against relying on face masks, especially for those not infected with the virus.
"They are mainly useful for people who are already sick, to prevent spreading. Not so much to stop people from catching the virus," Sarah Cumberland of the WHO told CNN.
The United Kingdom's Health Protection Agency also told CNN that the use of face masks was not necessary or recommended for protection against the swine flu virus. (Really? some sources said we should wear mask for protection virus)
Although it's not known for sure how much benefit a surgical mask has in preventing the transmission of swine flu, people who have the illness may consider wearing one as a way to reduce the amount they cough and sneeze onto others, said Dr. Arthur Reingold, head of the epidemiology division at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health.
"I think that this is a perfectly reasonable thing for someone with a respiratory illness to do," he said.
More effective than soft surgical masks is the N95, which is an example of a "respirator." This kind of tight-fitting face covering protects people against breathing very small particles, which may contain viruses. The downside is that it's more expensive, uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and has to be custom fit, Reingold said, so it's suited for people working in high-risk laboratories. Recommended masks for health care workers and emergency responders are stiff, cuplike N95 masks that fit snugly over the nose and mouth. They are thicker than surgical masks and better at keeping out airborne viruses, but they are also more expensive and require fitting to work properly.
Masks carry both physical and psychological benefits, said Dr. Julio Frenk, former health minister of Mexico and current dean of the Harvard School of Public Health.
Masks are a "reminder to people that they should avoid close contact with other persons," he said. "They also have this effect of isolating people and reminding them that they should not be kissing people, shaking hands, things like that." (sometimes they may forget it because it is their culture)
For health care workers, it's important to have high-efficiency masks, which protect better against infectious diseases, he said.
But people in the United States should generally not have to wear masks because the cases are localized(How can they trust? Why?), he said. By contrast, it is more of a widespread problem in Mexico, especially in the capital city, a "huge urban conglomeration."
Measures such as closing schools are the most effective in stopping the spread of the disease, he said. Mexico's schools are closed until at least May 6.
By early Tuesday, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico was suspected in 152 deaths and more than 1,600 illnesses, the country's health minister said.
Swine flu has reached phase 4 (out of 6) (For now is 5)on the pandemic scale, according to the WHO guidelines, but has not yet attained the status of global pandemic.
During a flu pandemic, people should consider wearing a face mask if they are sick with the flu, live with someone who has the flu or need to be in a crowded place, the CDC Web site says.
If you are caring for a person thought to have pandemic flu or will be close to someone who may have it, consider a respirator, for example an N95 or high-filtering face piece respirator, the CDC Web site says. Some health care workers, such as nurses and doctors, use respirators when dealing with patients who have airborne diseases, the CDC said.
In the current swine flu situation, rather than masks, the CDC is pushing hand-washing, covering coughs and refraining from "giving somebody that little kiss of greeting," Besser said.
"If you're in an infected area or if you have the swine flu, it's probably best not to, to not give a kiss, but we're not recommending an end of affection during the period. It's a period of time when we need a little more affection, but doing it in a way that isn't going to transmit a respiratory disease would be a CDC approach," he said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also warns against relying on face masks, especially for those not infected with the virus.
"They are mainly useful for people who are already sick, to prevent spreading. Not so much to stop people from catching the virus," Sarah Cumberland of the WHO told CNN.
The United Kingdom's Health Protection Agency also told CNN that the use of face masks was not necessary or recommended for protection against the swine flu virus. (Really? some sources said we should wear mask for protection virus)
Although it's not known for sure how much benefit a surgical mask has in preventing the transmission of swine flu, people who have the illness may consider wearing one as a way to reduce the amount they cough and sneeze onto others, said Dr. Arthur Reingold, head of the epidemiology division at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health.
"I think that this is a perfectly reasonable thing for someone with a respiratory illness to do," he said.
More effective than soft surgical masks is the N95, which is an example of a "respirator." This kind of tight-fitting face covering protects people against breathing very small particles, which may contain viruses. The downside is that it's more expensive, uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and has to be custom fit, Reingold said, so it's suited for people working in high-risk laboratories. Recommended masks for health care workers and emergency responders are stiff, cuplike N95 masks that fit snugly over the nose and mouth. They are thicker than surgical masks and better at keeping out airborne viruses, but they are also more expensive and require fitting to work properly.
Masks carry both physical and psychological benefits, said Dr. Julio Frenk, former health minister of Mexico and current dean of the Harvard School of Public Health.
Masks are a "reminder to people that they should avoid close contact with other persons," he said. "They also have this effect of isolating people and reminding them that they should not be kissing people, shaking hands, things like that." (sometimes they may forget it because it is their culture)
For health care workers, it's important to have high-efficiency masks, which protect better against infectious diseases, he said.
But people in the United States should generally not have to wear masks because the cases are localized(How can they trust? Why?), he said. By contrast, it is more of a widespread problem in Mexico, especially in the capital city, a "huge urban conglomeration."
Measures such as closing schools are the most effective in stopping the spread of the disease, he said. Mexico's schools are closed until at least May 6.
By early Tuesday, the swine flu outbreak in Mexico was suspected in 152 deaths and more than 1,600 illnesses, the country's health minister said.
Swine flu has reached phase 4 (out of 6) (For now is 5)on the pandemic scale, according to the WHO guidelines, but has not yet attained the status of global pandemic.
During a flu pandemic, people should consider wearing a face mask if they are sick with the flu, live with someone who has the flu or need to be in a crowded place, the CDC Web site says.
If you are caring for a person thought to have pandemic flu or will be close to someone who may have it, consider a respirator, for example an N95 or high-filtering face piece respirator, the CDC Web site says. Some health care workers, such as nurses and doctors, use respirators when dealing with patients who have airborne diseases, the CDC said.
In the current swine flu situation, rather than masks, the CDC is pushing hand-washing, covering coughs and refraining from "giving somebody that little kiss of greeting," Besser said.
"If you're in an infected area or if you have the swine flu, it's probably best not to, to not give a kiss, but we're not recommending an end of affection during the period. It's a period of time when we need a little more affection, but doing it in a way that isn't going to transmit a respiratory disease would be a CDC approach," he said.
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Face Mask Can Protect Against Swine Flu
Posted on April 2
8, 2009 by selvarajasomiahDonning a face-mask is an easy way to protect oneself from severe respiratory illnesses like swine flu when vaccines are unavailable or in short supply, according to a study.
In the first ever clinical trial of the efficacy of masks, researchers found adult mask wearers at home were four times more likely than non-wearers to be protected against a range of respiratory viruses, including influenza, SARS and even the common cold. (someone read this might understand that they should wear mask so it may contrast with the previous article)
The findings have global implications and are particularly relevant for efforts to combat flu pandemics such as the latest outbreak of swine flu.
“In the event of a severe pandemic, demand for protection could become a law and order issue,” said study co-author, Raina MacIntyre, professor of infectious diseases at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
“In a crisis, vaccine development is likely to be delayed and drugs may be in short supply or not available at all,” she said.
“Limited supplies will be directed first to front line health workers, so masks are an important means of protection for the community, who otherwise may be last in line for vaccines and drugs.”
Researchers at UNSW, Imperial College (London) and the National Centre for Immunization Research studied more than 280 adults in 143 families in Sydney during the winter season of 2006 and 2007.The adults were randomly allocated masks when exposed to a sick child in the household.
MacIntyre said a drawback was participants’ low compliance, with less than half reporting having worn the masks often or always, said a UNSW release.
These findings were published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, the journal of the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
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SOURCES: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/20061101/swine-flu-faq
http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/category/swine-flu/
http://www.reuters.com/news/globalcoverage/swineflu
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/world/swine+flu+advice+for+travellers/3112347
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/28/swine.flu.masks/index.html?iref=newssearch
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147720.php
http://blogs.reuters.com/from-reuterscom/2009/04/30/graphic-a-detailed-look-at-masks/
http://selvarajasomiah.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/face-mask-can-protect-against-swine-flu/
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My Reaction
1. Swine Flu is respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs and it is not the same as human flu viruses.
2.Swine flu does not often infect in people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs but now the swine flu outbreak is different. It is caused by a new swine flu virus which has changed in the ways that allow it to spread from person to person and it is happening among people who have not had any contact with pigs.
3. The infections represent widely separated cycles of human-to-human infections.
4. Pregnant women, young children (especially under 12 months of age), people with heart disease or risk factors for heart disease, people with HIV infection, people with chronic diseases, and people taking immune suppressing drugs, such as cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs for transplants are at particularly high risk of severe disease or bad outcomes if they get the flu.
5.You could pick up germs directly from an infected person, or by touching an object which they recently touched, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, delivering their germs for your own infection. The swine flu virus can become airborne if you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth, sending germs into the air.
6.Then infected people can start spreading flu germs up to a day before symptoms start, and for up to seven days after getting sick.
7. The basic way to protect the virus are wash your hand regularly, and aviod close contact with sick people or go somewhere that has crowds.
8. Symptoms are sudden fever, coughing, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. This new strain also appears to cause more diarrheas and vomiting than normal flu.
9.Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu, although the CDC is formulating one.
10. People cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products.
11. Facemasks and respirators offer a physical barrier to contact with airborne contaminants. When used correctly, masks reduce the risk of contracting influenza, though they should be used along with other preventative measures.
12. Their real value of mask seems to be in keeping people who are already ill from spreading the virus, rather than protecting healthy people.
13. Although it is not known for sure how much benefit a surgical mask has in preventing the transmission of swine flu, people who have the illness may consider wearing one as a way to reduce the amount they cough and sneeze onto others.
14. More effective than soft surgical masks is the N95, which is an example of a "respirator." This kind of tight-fitting face covering protects people against breathing very small particles, which may contain viruses. It is suited for people working in high-risk laboratories.
Conclusion
Swine flu is the current disease which occured and spread in America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. The first met is in Mexico then it spreads to other countries such as USA, UK, Italy, Hong Kong, South Korea, and New Zealand. The new swine flu virus apparently spreads just like regular flu. Most cases occur when people come into contact with infected pigs or contaminated objects moving between people and pigs. But the current situation spread by human to human by touching something contaminated with flu viruses and then touching one's mouth or nose, and through coughing or sneezing.
Flu Mask can protect the virus which come out from sneezing from sick people and it can prevent the flu virus that is 0.08-0.12 microns in size by place filter over nose, mouth and chin then fit flexible nose piece over nose bridge so secure on head with elastic and adjust to fit. But we should avoid to use one mask more than one time. We should change it everyday for safe and clean. There are many kinds of mask so we should choose the right mask for our life style and job. The important thing is we should protect ourselves, protect our family, protect other peoples and protect our world eventhough we did not sick. Using many ways to protect and do not overlook the smallest thing that we thought it is not important for us but it might be important for other people life.
Nowadays, in Thailand we do not wear mask because we thought that it may not occurred in Thailand but no one knows future. It might be occurred or not. Everything can happened and we have a lot of experieces from other flus so we should learn the past and use it to solve the problem at the present and future. However i did not suggest you to wear mask immediately, i think we should prepare for this flu and know what is it, how should we protect this virus. If we help together to protect the Swine flu or H1N1 thus it is not complicated for us to protect it. Prepare before it has more people died, prepare before it comes to you.
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