In this article
- What is swine flu?
- What are the symptoms of swine flu?
- How does swine flu spread?
- I'm pregnant. Am I more at risk of catching swine flu?
- Could swine flu affect my developing baby?
- What should I do if I or somebody in my family shows symptoms of swine flu?
- Is there any treatment for swine flu?
- What can I do to avoid swine flu?
- How long will I be contagious if I have swine flu?
- Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
- Where can I find more information?
What is swine flu?Swine flu or swine influenza is a very contagious respiratory disease. It is called swine flu because it regularly affects pigs. However, the virus that has caused the current outbreak, which is called H1N1, can also affect people. Usually, people affected by swine flu have been in direct contact with pigs. The reason why there is such concern about the current outbreak of swine flu is that it is now spreading from person to person. That's why the World Health Organisation has raised a worldwide pandemic alert.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?Swine flu has different effects in different people. Some people who catch the virus only have mild symptoms. But others can develop complications and in extreme cases swine flu can cause death.
The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to regular flu symptoms:
Swine flu can also cause:
- acute abdominal pain
A fever caused by swine flu can be very high: if you have regular flu your fever is unlikely to go above 39 degrees C. If you have swine flu it could reach 39 degrees C and higher.
As with all forms of flu, children under the age of five are more at risk. If your child has a high fever, is sleepy and doesn't want to interact, doesn't want to eat anything, and in severe cases, has trouble breathing, call your doctor for advice.
How does swine flu spread?Swine flu spreads from person to person in the same way as other flu viruses: through coughing and sneezing of people who are infected. Swine flu is very contagious and spreads easily, particularly in enclosed spaces where there is close contact between infected people and healthy people.
Swine viruses are not spread from eating or preparing pork.
I'm pregnant. Am I more at risk of catching swine flu?If you're pregnant, your immunity to infection is slightly lowered to stop your body rejecting your unborn baby. So it's particularly important that you take sensible precautions to protect yourself.
Pregnant women in their first or second trimesters seem to be particularly at risk of complications if they catch the illness. It is important that pregnant women with flu-like symptoms see their doctor as soon as possible.
Could swine flu affect my developing baby?We know that with regular seasonal flu, your baby is well protected against the virus within your womb. Swine flu is a new strain of flu so we don't yet know everything about it, including whether or not it will cross the placenta.
What should I do if I or somebody in my family shows symptoms of swine flu?Call your doctor immediately and explain what's happening. Tell her that you are pregnant and whether you or anyone else in your house has any other health problems. Swine flu can be more severe in people with compromised immune systems. Because the virus is very contagious, your doctor will tell you whether you should go to the surgery or if you should stay at home.
You may be asked to go to hospital to have a sample taken from your respiratory system. This will be analysed in order to find out if your symptoms are caused by swine flu.
Is there any treatment for swine flu?There is no cure for swine flu but antiviral drugs will relieve the symptoms and help you to recover faster. They will also reduce the likelihood of you developing complications. Not everyone with swine flu will have to take antiviral medication and your doctor will advise you according to the severity of your symptoms. There is currently no evidence that the antiviral medications being used to treat swine flu in Australia are associated with adverse affects in pregnancy and the benefits of treatment in severe swine flu may outweigh the risks.
What can I do to avoid swine flu?Just as with regular flu, there are some things you can do to avoid infection and minimise the spread of the disease:
- Avoid contact with anyone who appears to have flu-like symptoms.
- Remaining at least one metre apart from anyone with flu-like symptoms will reduce risk of catching the virus.
- If a family member has swine flu, wearing a mask will reduce your chances of catching the illness.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough and sneeze and throw it away after using it.
- If you don't have a tissue to hand, cover your mouth with the inner part of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. This will avoid spreading the infection to your hand and will minimise spreading the disease.
- After coughing and sneezing, wash your hands with warm water and soap. Rub both sides of your soapy hands for at least for 15 seconds and rinse with lots of water. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitisers.
- Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth because the germs spread very quickly.
- Wash your hands frequently – the virus can live for up to two hours on surfaces like doorknobs and telephones.
- Eat a healthy diet including plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods – a balance of these will give you minerals and antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, which help to fight infections.
How long will I be contagious if I have swine flu?People who have the swine flu virus can be contagious for up to seven days after the onset of the illness. Children, especially younger ones, may be contagious for longer periods.
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?Yes. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has registered a vaccine with the trade name Panvax for use on adults and children older than 6 months. The Australian Government is providing the vaccine free, though you may have to pay for an appointment with your GP.
Priority will be given to people who are considered at risk including pregnant women, parents and guardians of children under 6 months old and children in special schools over the age of 10.
The seasonal flu vaccine also now includes a vaccination for the H1N1 influenza (swine flu). In April 2010, use of the seasonal flu vaccine was suspended for children under 5 years because there was a rise in the rate of side effects in young children, particularly febrile convulsions. The government is now advising that all children can be given the seasonal flu vaccine as long as the brands Vaxigrip or Influvac are used for children under 5 years. Fluvax is not recommended for children under 5 years. You can ask your doctor or early childhood nurse which vaccine they are using.
Check with your doctor about whether it is appropriate for your child to have the swine flu or seasonal flu vaccine.
Where can I find more information?Call the Swine Influenza Hotline on 1802007 to hear the latest advice. Or visit the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing..
Read more about treating flu in pregnancy.
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