Swine Flu Prevention Tips

At Senior Helpers we care about every senior and their well-being. Here are some tips we have to help seniors better understand what the swine flu is and how to prevent infection to you and your loved ones.

Q: What is swine flu?
A: It's a common respiratory disease in pigs that doesn't usually spread to people. When pigs catch this flu, many get quite sick, and 1% to 4% die, according to the World Health Organization. In the past, people have sometimes caught swine flu if they worked directly with pigs.

Q: How is this swine flu virus different?
A: This strain appears to be a subtype not seen before in humans or pigs, with genetic material from pigs, bird and humans, according to experts. Unlike most cases of swine flu, this one can spread from person to person. One of the confirmed cases in the USA caught swine flu from a spouse, who had been to Mexico.

Q: Were pigs the carriers of this virus?
A: It's closer to say that pigs were the mixing bowl for this virus. Birds can't pass bird flu to people. But pigs are uniquely susceptible to getting flu viruses that infect birds. Experts have long worried that a pig would catch a bird strain of the flu and then the virus would mutate inside the pig to a form that could also infect other mammals. That may be what happened in this case. Pigs can also be infected with more than one influenza virus at a time, allowing the viruses to share genes, called "genetic re-assortment," creating new and potentially much more virulent viruses.

Q: Can you catch swine flu from eating pork?
A: No, according to experts. Pigs coming in to slaughter facilities are monitored for flu symptoms, and those that are ill are not allowed to enter the food supply. Cooking also kills the virus. People who work with pigs, however, can catch the virus. The Department of Agriculture is conducting tests to confirm that the food supply is safe.

Q:Is there a vaccine against swine flu?
A:No, but government scientists could try to create one. They've identified the virus, should they decide to create a vaccine they can work toward that goal very quickly. CDC scientists don't know if this year's flu vaccine offers any protection.

Q:What about anti-virals? Can they prevent swine flu?
A:This strain of swine flu does appear sensitive to the antiviral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu, but not to amantadine, or Symmetrel, and rimantadine, or Flumadine, Besser said. With normal seasonal flus, if taken within the first 48 hours after symptoms appear, anti-virals can help people recover a day or two sooner. Doctors sometimes prescribe anti-virals to household members of people with the flu to prevent them from getting sick.

Q:What are the symptoms?
A:The most common symptoms are fever, fatigue, lack of appetite and coughing, although some people also develop a runny nose, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea, according to the official diagnosis.

Q:What should you do if you have these symptoms?
A:Stay home from work or school, to avoid spreading your illness to other people. Don't get on an airplane. People should call their doctors to ask about the best treatment, but should not simply show up at a clinic or hospital that is unprepared for their arrival.

Q:How can people protect themselves?
A:As always, people should wash their hands frequently. In the past, there isn't conclusive evidence to support using face masks. Surgical masks are designed to prevent the wearer from spreading germs, but may also catch large respiratory droplets if someone sneezes nearby.

All seniors should be constantly aware of any sickness that is spreading around them since they are the most prone to becoming more ill than most. Senior Helpers can provide clean and efficient services to sharply reduce the chance of you or your loved ones attaining the swine flu virus.