Swine Flu Symtoms,Preventions & Precaution

Swine Flu Symtoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Aching muscles and joints
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

As with any sort of influenza, how bad and how long the symptoms last will depend on treatment and the patient's individual circumstances.

Most cases reported in India have been relatively mild, with those affected starting to recover within a week. Persons with swine flu infection should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days following illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days after illness onset should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

Preventions & Precautions:

Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through droplets created while coughing or sneezing by a person infected with swine flu. Infected person may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.

Stay away from people who display signs of swine flu. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE WITH YOUR HANDS. YOU MAY TOUCH SURFACES ON WHICH A PERSON MAY HAVE EARLIER SNEEZED OR COUGHED. WASH & SANITIZE YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and respirators for decreasing the risk of swine fluis extremely limited. Thus, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in decreasing the risk of swine flu (H1N1) virus transmission. In the absence of clear scientific data, the interim recommendations below have been developed on the basis of public health judgment, the historical use of facemasks and respirators in other settings for preventing transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses.

• You can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Trying to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Staying home from work or school if you are sick.

The impact of swine flu is becoming more severe everyday. If you suspect you have caught it, it recommended that you stay at home to avoid infecting others. The virus typically spreads from coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose or mouth. Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu, and may include fever, sneezes, sore throat, coughs, headache, and muscle or joint pains

Because swine flu is a new virus, most people have no natural immunity. People older than age 50 are getting swine flu at far lower rates than younger people, which may be an evidence older people may have some immunity from prior exposures to a similar virus.