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("Swine flue" was the 6th-hottest serch term on Google a few minutes ago!!! So now we have it.)
(Written up symptoms, transmission, prevention, diagnosis (sourced from CDC))
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'''Swine influenza''', "'''swine flue'''", or "'''swine flu'''" refers to influenza cases that are caused by Orthomyxoviruses endemic to pig populations. Swine flu infects people every year and is found typically in people who have been in contact with pigs, although there have been cases of person-to-person transmission.
 
'''Swine influenza''', "'''swine flue'''", or "'''swine flu'''" refers to influenza cases that are caused by Orthomyxoviruses endemic to pig populations. Swine flu infects people every year and is found typically in people who have been in contact with pigs, although there have been cases of person-to-person transmission.
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{{WikipediaArticle|Swine flu}}
 
{{WikipediaArticle|2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak}}
   
 
==2009 Swine Flu Outbreak==
 
==2009 Swine Flu Outbreak==
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Several people in [[Mexico]] and the [[United States]] have become infected with this new strain, with unconfirmed cases in [[Canada]], [[New Zealand]], [[Spain]], [[France]], and [[Colombia]]. It has caused at least 20 confirmed deaths in Mexico.
 
Several people in [[Mexico]] and the [[United States]] have become infected with this new strain, with unconfirmed cases in [[Canada]], [[New Zealand]], [[Spain]], [[France]], and [[Colombia]]. It has caused at least 20 confirmed deaths in Mexico.
   
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===Symptoms===
{{WikipediaArticle|Swine flu}}
 
 
:''Adapted from: the [http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm CDC]''
{{WikipediaArticle|2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak}}
 
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The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
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===Transmission===
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Swine Flu viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people, and from people to pigs. Human infection is most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur, thought to be in the same way as seasonal [[flu]] occurs in humans. This would be mainly through the coughs or sneezes of infected people. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it, and then touching their mouth or nose.
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===Prevention===
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Washing your hands regularly, preferably with an alcohol-based hand disinfectant, will significantly reduce the risk of contamination. If you are in a high-risk area, you should avoid directly touching well-touched surfaces (such as door handles). Surgical masks can also reduce the risk of contaminants reaching the mouth or nose, however these need to be well-fitting to the skin to give maximum protection, stopping any contaminants floating around the edges.
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:''See more at [[How can I protect my family]]''
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===Diagnosis===
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If you are concerned that you (or someone you) know may have flu, you should seek the advice of a medical professional. This gives the best chance of accurate diagnosis and early treatment.
   
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To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen (mucus/saliva) would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness. This is when an infected person is most likely to be infectious. However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen for laboratory testing, such as to [[CDC]].
==External links==
 
*[http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm Symptoms] from the [[CDC]]
 
 
[[Category:content]]
 
[[Category:content]]
 
[[Category:Flu]]
 
[[Category:Flu]]

Revision as of 01:08, 28 April 2009

Swine influenza, "swine flue", or "swine flu" refers to influenza cases that are caused by Orthomyxoviruses endemic to pig populations. Swine flu infects people every year and is found typically in people who have been in contact with pigs, although there have been cases of person-to-person transmission.

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Wikipedia has an article on:

2009 Swine Flu Outbreak

The 2009 Swine Flu outbreak is a new strain of influenza, which appears to be human flu (subtype H1N1) combined with two strains of swine flu and a strain of avian flu. In April both the WHO and CDC expressed serious concerns about this new strain, because it seems to transmit from human to human, has had a relatively high mortality rate in Mexico, and because it has the potential to become a flu pandemic.

Several people in Mexico and the United States have become infected with this new strain, with unconfirmed cases in Canada, New Zealand, Spain, France, and Colombia. It has caused at least 20 confirmed deaths in Mexico.

Symptoms

Adapted from: the CDC

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Transmission

Swine Flu viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people, and from people to pigs. Human infection is most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur, thought to be in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in humans. This would be mainly through the coughs or sneezes of infected people. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it, and then touching their mouth or nose.

Prevention

Washing your hands regularly, preferably with an alcohol-based hand disinfectant, will significantly reduce the risk of contamination. If you are in a high-risk area, you should avoid directly touching well-touched surfaces (such as door handles). Surgical masks can also reduce the risk of contaminants reaching the mouth or nose, however these need to be well-fitting to the skin to give maximum protection, stopping any contaminants floating around the edges.

See more at How can I protect my family

Diagnosis

If you are concerned that you (or someone you) know may have flu, you should seek the advice of a medical professional. This gives the best chance of accurate diagnosis and early treatment.

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen (mucus/saliva) would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness. This is when an infected person is most likely to be infectious. However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen for laboratory testing, such as to CDC.