Pandemic Alert

H1N1 & You

So you haven't heard by now, the world is suffering a major pandamic!  H1N1 or Swine Flu as it is commonly know is sweeping through every country, effecting all age groups and claiming lives.  There is 109 confirmed cases in New Zealand and the number grows daily.

So what is it?

Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is normally found in pigs. There are many such viruses and they rarely infect humans. The virus currently causing human illness is a new type of swine flu that has developed the ability to infect people and be transmitted from person to person.  Although this new virus is called "swine flu" it is not transmitted from eating pork products. Like other respiratory diseases, it is spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they spread germs through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch.

Prevention is the key

Infection occurs when the virus gets into someone's airway and lungs. However, it isn't yet known how easily the virus spreads. As with any infectious disease that is spread through the human respiratory system, health officials recommended the following precautions:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people. 
• If you get sick, stay home and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

These are the same precautions that should be taken to stop transmitting all influenza viruses and other viruses that are transmitted from the respiratory tract.

Human symptoms for this new type of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of the regular "seasonal" influenza that happens each year. Symptoms include fever, cough and sore throat. In addition, fatigue, lack of appetite, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported.

Think you might have it?

Because of the highly infectionous nature of this flu, please take the following precautions:

• Early Detection.  Don't wait too long to consult your GP, the sooner you tackle this, the safer you and your family will be.
• Make an appointment first.  Your local clinic will need heads up to close its waiting area for your arrival.   If you haven't made an appointment, DONT GO STRAIGHT IN, make yourself known to the receptionist by calling from the car or flashing your lights.  This lowers the risk of cross infection.
• Stay hydrated. Go overboard on fluids, water, lemon water, teas and soups all help your body fight this.
• Bed Rest.  Get lots of bedrest, curl up with a book, a movie or your computer and isolate yourself from the world.  Rest is the best medicine.