There are a multitude of questions about the current swine flu epidemic. Answers are available on websites of the World Health Organization and the U.S. Public Health Service. Following is a selection of those questions and answers, in abbreviated form.
How Do People Get an Animal Disease?
Can you get swine flu by eating pork?
No, it is not transmitted this way. Public Health officials are now using the scientific name, H1N1, precisely because people mistakenly believed swine flu meant you could get it from eating pig meat.
Can people now get this flu from pigs?
Most likely it would only be someone who worked directly with pigs who could get the present swine flu virus from them. It is a respiratory illness. This means a person would get it if they came in contact with the saliva or mucous of an infected pig.
Do pigs from places other than Mexico have this swine flu?
This would be highly unusual. What we are looking at now is not a pig-to-person transmission of the disease, but a person-to-person transmission.
Is it true this is bird flu too?
Birds can’t pass bird flu to people, but pigs can. Here’s how. Pigs are like a mixing bowl for viruses. Birds can't pass avian flu to people. Also, people don’t often get animal diseases, but they can get derivative diseases from pigs. Pigs are uniquely susceptible to bird flu viruses. Experts have worried that a pig would catch a bird flu that would mutate inside the pig to a form that could also infect other mammals, including people.
Should we not buy things made in Mexico?
No. Flu virus droplets don’t live long enough on surfaces to travel on clothes, metal or plastic objects and other durable goods.
How Would Someone Tell if a Family Member, Fellow Worker or Neighbor Has Swine Flu?
Can you tell if someone is contagious?
Unfortunately, people can have swine flu and be in a contagious stage before their symptoms appear. Assume anyone could have it. The disease spreads through microscopic respiratory droplets. That is why it is important to take these steps:
- You can get sick from touching a surface where droplets have landed. Wash your hands often, well and for as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”.
- If you are outside your home and touching things, do not put your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth until you have washed them.
- Stay away from crowded places where you can’t help being touched by people.
- Keep packaged wipes on your person. If someone coughs or sneezes in your presence, immediately use one to wipe your exposed skin surface and another one to wipe around your eyes, noses and mouth.
Are Face Masks Recommended?
About Face Masks?
People need a face mask if they have flu symptoms or are in touch with others who have flu. Otherwise, swine flu is still rare enough that the general public need not take this precaution.
Are there different kinds of face masks?
Yes. Surgical masks keep germs in so others don’t become infected. N95 respirators keep germs out and are recommended for caretakers or family members of infected people. Face masks are uncomfortable and there are fitting requirements.
What about rubber gloves?
The answer is the same. There is no swine flu crisis at present. Protective devices are only recommended for use by those who are directly engaging with flu victims.
Current Swine Flu Epidemic Report
The World Health Organization’s official May 1 briefing reported 333 cases of fast-spreading swine flu in 12 countries, with 10 cases being fatal.
(There are companion articles on swine flu history and on swine flu resources being offered by public health organizations.)
Rosemary E. Bachelor - Rosemary Bachelor, a prize-winning journalist, has had a career as an editor, feature writer, magazine publisher and author. Her latest ...
