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The incubation period for swine flu is fairly long in comparison to other flu viruses. According to the Center for Disease Control you can be carrying the virus and infecting others for a week to 10 days before developing any symptoms yourself.
In late April of this year, at the end of what is considered be the flu season – Mexico began reporting an unusually large number of cases of flu like illnesses. Because of the number and the lateness of the year for these types of symptoms, Mexican health professionals began testing patients who were hospitalized with these symptoms and identified a new strain of swine flu (H1N1). The majority of these cases were reported in the area of Mexico City.
The symptoms of H1N1 are very much like the normal flu – fatigue, aching muscles, fever, sinus problems, respiratory problems, vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms usually run their course after a few days. If a patient has further problems or fever over 101 degrees, they should call their primary physician. Anti-viral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu have both proven effective in helping to relieve symptoms. It is important to drink plenty of fluids while ill with this flu.
H1N1 is spread from person to person mainly thru sneezing and coughing by those who are sick or infected by the virus. People can also be infected by touching an object such as a door knob or computer keyboard or mouse which has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, eyes or nose. Surfaces can now be long time protected with Smittstopp.
Some ways to help from spreading H1N1 are to wash hands frequently, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue and dispose of the tissue promptly after use. If you share a work space with anyone, be sure to wipe your desk and computer equipment down with a sanitizing wipe or other sanitizing product at the end of the day. If you have flu like symptoms, you must stay home and contact your family physician especially if you have recently traveled to Mexico. If your child is sick, you must not send them to school or daycare.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its pandemic alert level to 5 meaning that this virus spreads between humans and has spread to at least two countries and that a worldwide epidemic is imminent. But as of now they have been unable to determine the severity or fatality rate with this virus. WHO currently advises no restrictions on travel or border closings. Humans can not get this virus from eating pork or pork products. This virus is not a food born disease. A report released today by WHO states that over 2 billion people could be affected if this virus becomes a pandemic with most pandemics lasting for 2 years.