Info for Owners

BREAKING NEWS!

Swine Influenza (Flu)

All information taken from CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm

The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of
swine origin continues to grow in the United States and
internationally. Today, CDC reports additional confirmed human
infections, hospitalizations and the nation’s first fatality from this
outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that
a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be
emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new
virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations
and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.

Here at San Carlos Pet Hospital, we are taking precautions by educating our staff and clients. Swine Flu is not transmittable between humans and domestic animals, so don't worry; your pets are safe. Here are some commonly asked questions and how you can protect yourself from this disease.

Swine
flu ... what should you do?

1. What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs
caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks
of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels
of illness and low death
rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among
swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during
the late fall and winter months
similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus
(an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from
a pig in 1930.

2. How many swine flu viruses
are there?

Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly.
Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses
as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different
species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and
new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses
can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses
have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus
subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1.
However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs
have been H1N1 viruses.

3. How common is swine flu
infection in humans?

In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one
human swine influenza virus infection every one to two
years in the U.S. In late March and early April 2009,
cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1)
viruses were first reported in Southern California and
near San Antonio, Texas.
Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection
in humans and cases have been reported internationally
as well, where the illness appears to be more severe than
in the U.S. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu
infections in the United States is kept at
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm.

4. What are the signs and symptoms
of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the
symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat,
body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported
diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past,
severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths
have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal
flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical
conditions.

5. How does swine flu spread?

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs
to people and from people to pigs. Human infection
with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are
in
close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns
and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs.

Human-to-human transmission
of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur
in the
same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is
mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of
people infected
with the influenza virus. People may become infected
by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their
mouth
or nose.


CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and
is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily
the virus spreads between people.

Swine influenza viruses
are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork
products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

6. How serious is swine flu?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity
from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases
of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However,
swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously
healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for
pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later.
A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that
caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and
one death.

7. How can someone with the
swine flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning
1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days
after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to
pass on the flu to someone
else before you know you are sick, as well as while you
are sick.


People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially
contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following
illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious
for longer periods.


Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with
germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough
or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when
a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a
desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces
like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you
reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

8. What can I do to protect
myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against
swine flu.


Anything you can do to support your immune system may
help protect you from contracting the swine flu, or
help support your defences should you become infected.
Be sure to drink plenty of water and stay well-hydrated.
Eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables, avoid refined
sugar and processed/junk food. Get plenty of fresh air
and daily exercise. Be
sure to sleep your fill and minimize stress. Other things
that may be helpful include extra vitamin C, probiotics,
echinacea, and astragalus.

Additionally, there are everyday actions
that can help prevent the spread of germs
that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take
these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough
  or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use
  it.


• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough
  or sneeze. Washing your hands often will help protect
  you from germs. We recommend that when you
  wash your hands -- with soap
  and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds.
  When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based
  disposable hand wipes or gel
  sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets
  and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the
  gel is dry. The gel doesn't need
  water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your
  hands.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.


• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.


• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home
  from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting
  them.

9.
What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in
humans?

There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed
for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine,
rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. Antiviral drugs
are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler)
that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from
reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs
can make
your
illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may
also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment,
antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick
(within
2 days of symptoms). While most swine influenza viruses
have
been susceptible to all four drugs,
the most
recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are
resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time,
CDC recommends
the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or
prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

10.
What should I do if I get sick?

If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including
fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or
vomiting or diarrhea,
you may want to contact your health care provider, particularly
if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care
provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment
is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact
with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading
your illness to others. Your co-workers and your children's
classmates will appreciate it!

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs,
seek emergency medical care.


In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing


• Bluish skin color


• Not drinking enough fluids


• Not waking up or not interacting


• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held


• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough


• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need
urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath


• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen


• Sudden dizziness


• Confusion


• Severe or persistent vomiting

To get more information please visit the CDC - http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm>