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As you have all seen recently, there is a lot of concern about Swine Flu, so we’re here to talk about some of the basics of the Swine Flu. What we currently know about the Swine Flu is changing on a day-to-day basis as researchers learn more about the disease, but we will do our best to give you all summaries of the latest CDC updates.

So what exactly is the Swine Flu?
The Swine Flu, or Swine Influenza, is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the Influenza type A virus. There are many different types of the Influenza A virus that cause swine flu – the most common one is the H1N1 subtype.

So how do humans get the Swine Flu?
The virus predominantly occurs in pigs, though historically there have been handfuls of human cases in those with close contacts with pigs. More recently with this outbreak, it has been discovered that the can be transferred from person to person, without close contact with a pig.

The virus likely spreads the same way that seasonal flu’s spread – through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the virus. People can also become infected by touching something with the flu viruses on it and then touching their nose or mouth.

What if I eat pork? Can I get Swine Flu from that?
No, it is safe to eat pork or pork products since the virus is not spread by food.

What symptoms should I look out for?
The symptoms of the Swine Flu are almost identical to the symptoms of the seasonal flu common in humans. These symptoms include fever (over 100F), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Like the seasonal flu, Swine Flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

What is the best way to avoid the Swine Flu?
The best thing you can do for yourself and your little ones is to WASH YOUR HANDS – 20-30 seconds with soap and water or with those antibiotic hand gels. Avoid close contact with sick people and try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu viruses. These simple rules will help you avoid all viruses and flu’s, not just the Swine Flu.

Are there medicines to treat Swine Flu?
Yes – there are two antiviral medicines available by prescription that keep the flu virus from reproducing or growing in your body. If you get sick, these medicines can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. Unfortunately there is no vaccine at this time, but in certain high-risk patients, these antiviral medicines may help prevent serious infections.

Where do I find more information?
The best place to find the most up-to-date information is the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov and your local Department of Public Health.

People’s temperature naturally varies throughout the day. In medical terms we define a fever as a temperature of 100.4 F or higher. If your child feels warm, take his or her temperature. You CANNOT reliably tell your child’s temperature by feeling their forehead. If your child has a fever, make sure that you are not overheating him or her with too many clothes or a hot environment. Next give your baby the correct dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin). For correct dosing, see dosing chart in this blog.

NEVER give your child aspirin or anything that contains aspirin. Influenza or Chicken Pox and aspirin have been associated with Reyes syndrome. If you child is less than 2 months and has a fever, YOU MUST SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. If your child is over 2 months old but appears ill or the fever does not come down with appropriate medications, call your doctor immediately.

On a reassuring note, fevers are a natural response that helps to fight infection. While a fever can make your child feel bad, it may actually shorten the duration of the underlying illness. In fact, one study showed that cold symptoms take an average of 2 days longer to resolve when the fever was treated. In vaccinated kids over 3 months of age, a fever that is easily reduced to below 101 is rarely dangerous, while one over 101 that is difficult to reduce or is associated with other signs if illness, requires prompt medical evaluation. Don’t get overly fixated on the fever itself. It is generally not the temperature that may hurt your child, but the underlying cause.

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