What is swine flu?

Currently Wayne County Public Health is working closely with the New York State Department of Health in regards to surveillance of the Swine Flu. Information is being shared with health care providers and with our county residents as the information is being made available.

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza, also called swine flu, is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it's possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person.

How are people getting sick from swine flu?

CDC has determined that this swine flu virus is spreading from person to person. Spread from person to person is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu, mainly through coughing or sneezing of infected people. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the swine flu virus spreads between people.

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. They include:

* Fever
* Cough
* Sore throat
* Body aches
* Headache
* Chills
* Fatigue

Some people have reported having diarrhea and vomiting. Just as seasonal flu, swine flu can vary in severity from mild to severe and may cause worsening of the underlying chronic medical conditions.

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine flu infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic or possibly for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods of time.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact your health care provider. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have recently traveled, especially to those areas where swine flu has already been found. 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.

What can you do to protect yourself or others from getting sick?

Every day actions that prevent the spread of illness are recommended. These include:

* Good respiratory hygiene like covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the used tissue in the trash.
* In the absence of a tissue, cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your arm. Do not cough/sneeze into your hands.
* Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, but especially after coughing and sneezing. Use paper towels to dry hands and then turn faucet off with towel before throwing it in the trash.
* Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap & water is not available and your hands are not visibly dirty.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people

Further sources of information

* The New York State Department of Health has established a swine flu call center. The number is 1- 800-808-1987.

* The New York State Department of Health website also has further information and has a link to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. www.health.state.ny.us.

* Check the Wayne County Public Health page on the county website: www.co.wayne.ny.us.

* Or you may call Wayne County Public Health at 1- 800-724-1170.

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