10 things you need to know about swine flu
DAILY NEWS STAFF
Updated Monday, April 27th 2009, 3:51 PM
Q: What is swine flu, and how do humans catch
it?
A: Swine flu is a highly contagious respiratory
disease normally found in pigs. People usually become infected
through contact with pigs, but this new virus has mutated enough to
allow human-to-human transmission.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some patients
also report experiencing a runny nose, sore throat, nausea,
vomiting and diarrhea.
Q: How many people have died from swine
flu?
A: 149, all in Mexico, 20 confirmed
as swine flu and rest suspected.
Q: How many people have been diagnosed with swine flu in
the United
States? Elsewhere?
A: 28 in New York, eight in
California, two
in Kansas, two in
Texas and one in
Ohio.
Elsewhere: One confirmed in Canada; two
confirmed in Scotland and seven
suspected; at least 10 suspected in New Zealand;
one confirmed and 17 suspected in Spain; one suspected
in France; one
suspected in Israel.
Q: Should I be tested for swine flu?
A: Knowing you have swine flu will not afect
the treatment you receive, but testing certain affected people can
help health authorities track the spread of the disease. The Health
Department recommends testing only when people experience severe
symptoms or fall sick in clusters.
Q: I'm feeling fine. Should I be doing
anything?
A: Wash your hands more than usual to protect
against catching the flu virus. Make a contingency plan in case the
outbreak worsens and your child's school closes.
Q: If I feel flu-ish, what should I do?
A: Check with your doctor, who will likely
prescribe an anti-viral medicine like Tamiflu or
Relenza. (You
probably have a regular flu, or just a cold.) Don't go to work
or school, just in case. Stay off public transportation and
don't sneeze on people.
Q: Is there a vaccine?
A: No. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to
develop one, in case it is needed.
Q: Should I stop eating bacon?
A: No. You cannot get the flu from eating pork
products of any kind.
Q: How worried should I be?
A: So far, deaths from swine flu have been
reported only in Mexico - and the cases in New York have been
very mild. Health officials worry the outbreak will get worse, but
the summer is almost here, which will retard flu
transmission.