SWINE FLU FACTFILE

What are the symptoms?

Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include fever of over
100.4°F, fatigue, lack of appetite, and cold. Some people with swine flu have also
reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Nearly everyone with
flu has at least two of these symptoms.

So, how do you know if you have flu or just cold?

There is one clue: when you have the flu, you feel flu symptoms sooner than you would
cold symptoms, and they come on with much greater intensity. With the flu, you may feel
very weak and fatigued for up to 2 or 3 weeks. You'll have muscle aches and periods of
chills and sweats as fever comes and goes. You may also have a stuffy or runny nose,
headache, and sore throat.

Can I compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms?

Yes. The following chart can help you compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms. Use it
to lean the differences and similarities between flu and cold symptoms. Then, if you get
flu symptoms, call your doctor and ask about an antiviral drug.

Symptoms Cold Flu

Characteristic, high 100-102 degrees F);
Fever Rare
lasts 3-4 days
Headache Rare Prominent
General aches, pains Slight Usual; often severe
Fatigue, Weakness Quite mild Can last up to 2-3 weeks
Extreme Exhaustion Never Early and prominent
Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes
Chest Mild to moderate;
Common; can become severe
Discomfort,Cough hacking cough

You cannot confirm if you have swine flu just based on your symptoms. Like seasonal
flu, pandemic swine flu can cause neurologic symptoms in children. These events are
rare, but, as cases associated with seasonal flu have shown, they can be very severe and
often fatal.

Doctors may offer a rapid flu test, but what you need to understand is a negative result
doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu. Only lab tests can definitively show
whether you've got swine flu. State health departments can do these tests.

Source: WebMD
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What should you do immediately?

Those of you who have travelled from the affected countries in the past ten days and
show symptoms swine flu like fever, cough, sore throat and difficulty in breathing should
immediately contact the telephone number given below or visit the nearby Government
Hospital.

Important contact numbers:

Outbreak Monitoring Cell (Control Room, NICD): 011-23921401

Websites: www.mohfw.nic.in and www.nicd.nic.in

You can also contact a toll free number 2392 1401 at the National Institute of
Communicable Disease

Contact number for each cities:

Bangalore
BIAL Swine Flu Center - 91-80-22001490

SDS TUBERCULOSIS & RAJIV GANDHI INSTITUTE OF CHEST DISEASES(Govt.

of Karnataka), Hosur Road, Bangalore - 560029
Helpline No: 91-80-26631923

Chennai
Communicable Disease Hospital, 87, T.H. Road, Tondiarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

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

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

Mumbai
Kasturba Hospital, Arthur Road, Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai 400011
Ph: 022- 23083901 / 23092458 / 23000889

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
Source: Swine Flu India website
What is the treatment?

Antiviral drugs can be used to treat swine flu or to prevent infection with swine flu
viruses. The anti-viral medicines oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are
being used to treat people with swine flu. Antiviral drugs work by preventing the flu virus
from reproducing. To be effective you need to take them within 48 hours of the
symptoms beginning. These flu drugs can decrease the duration of the flu by 1 to 2 days
if used within this early time period. These antivirals are usually given for a period of
about 5-7 days. It's unclear whether these drugs can prevent complications of the flu.
Tamiflu is approved for prevention and treatment in people 1 year old and older. Relenza
is approved for treatment of people 7 years old and older and for prevention in people 5
years old and older. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional.

Side effects: Side effects of antiviral drugs may include nervousness, poor concentration,
nausea, and vomiting. Relenza is not recommended for people with a history of breathing
problems, such as asthma, because it may cause a worsening of breathing problems.
Discuss side effects with your doctor.

Self medication: Antibiotics are a no-no. Chances are that antibiotics will not help your
flu symptoms. That's because flu, colds, and most sore throats and bronchitis are caused
by viruses. In addition, taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than
good. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an
infection later that resists antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics only cure certain infections due
to bacteria -- and if taken carelessly, you may get more serious health problems than you
bargained for.

Is there a vaccine to treat swine flu virus? No, there isn’t a vaccine yet. But vaccines are
being made in large quantities. Clinical tests will begin in August 2009. Depending on
how long federal officials wait for the results of these tests, tens of millions of doses of
swine flu vaccine could be ready as soon as September 2009, with more vaccine
becoming available each month thereafter. The first doses of vaccine likely will go to
pregnant women and young children ages 6 months to 4 years, with older school kids to
follow.

Source: Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Health
Service, UK website, WebMD

Who is at risk?

Those who are more at risk from becoming seriously ill with swine flu are people with:

• chronic (long-term) lung disease, including people who have had drug treatment
for their asthma within the past three years,
• chronic heart disease,
• chronic kidney disease,
 • chronic liver disease,
• chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone
disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
• suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment),
• diabetes,
• pregnant women,
• people aged 65 or older, and
• young children under five.

Source: National Health Service, UK website

How does it spread?

The new swine flu virus is highly contagious, that is it spreads from person to person.
The virus is spread through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when
someone coughs or sneezes. If someone coughs or sneezes and they do not cover it, those
droplets can spread about one metre (3ft). If you are very nearby you might breathe them
in.

Or, if someone coughs or sneezes into their hand, those droplets and the virus within
them are easily transferred to surfaces that the person touches, such as door handles, hand
rails, telephones and keyboards. If you touch these surfaces and touch your face, the virus
can enter your system, and you can become infected.

Source: National Health Service, UK website

Can it be prevented?

Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a
person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with swine influenza.
When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective. When used
for prevention, the number of days that they should be used will vary depending on a
person’s particular situation.

Follow this general procedure to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus, you
should:

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue
• Throw the tissue away quickly and carefully
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a
normal cleaning product
• Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others
sick. Do not go to work or school while ill
 • Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or
for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing
medicine.)
• Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for
infants) to keep from being dehydrated
• Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with
other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others.

Source: CDC, National Health Service, UK website

Will it help to wear a mask?

Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing the risk of
influenza infection in community settings is extremely limited. So, it is difficult to assess
their potential effectiveness in decreasing the risk of Swine Flu virus transmission in
these settings. However, a well-fitted, FDA-approved mask together with other
preventive measures MAY reduce the risk of contracting the flu. Those who are sick or
caring for someone who is ill should consider using a mask or respirator if leaving the
house becomes necessary.

Source: CDC

What precautions should one take at home?

Two things - soap and water can reduce the chance of infection by 30 per cent. All you
need to do is keep washing your hand with soap and water frequently. Wash hands
frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water
are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Eat healthy: Proteins are essential to help your body maintain and build strength. Lean
meat, poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nuts and seeds are good sources of protein.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends that adults eat 50 grams of protein per
day. Pregnant and nursing women need more. By eating foods high in protein, we also
get the benefit of other healing nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B12, both of which
contribute to a healthy immune system.

Vitamin B6 is widely available in foods, including protein foods such as turkey and beans
as well as potatoes, spinach, and enriched cereal grains. Proteins such as meats, milk, and
fish also contain vitamin B12, a powerful immune booster.

Minerals such as selenium and zinc work to keep the immune system strong. These
minerals are found in protein rich foods such as beans, nuts, meat, and poultry.

Exercise: Regular exercise may help prevent the flu. According to recent findings, when
moderate exercise is repeated on a near daily basis, there is a cumulative immune-
enhancing effect. That is, your strong immune system can fight flu better. When you
exercise, your white blood cells -- the blood cells that fight infections in the body -- travel
through your body more quickly, fighting bacteria and viruses (such as flu) more
efficiently. To maintain good health, experts recommend at least 30 minutes of aerobic
activity such as walking, swimming, biking, or running each day.

Source: Flu India website, CDC, WebMD

What precautions should one take at schools?

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

• People who are sick with an influenza-like illness should stay home and keep
away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel, for at least 24
hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever
should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Cover your mouth
and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Wash your hands often
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Source: CDC

Is it safe to travel?

Avoid travelling unnecessarily. However, if you must travel, check how the country
you're going to handles swine flu. Although, the WHO doesn't recommend travel
restrictions, many countries have set up their own H1N1 policies, and some travellers
have been screened or quarantined in other countries because of swine flu concerns.