Swine Fever
This week we're talking about the potential spread of influenza A H1N1 virus, commonly known as Swine flu.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease that has been confirmed in a number of countries. It is spreading from human to human, which could lead to what is referred to as a pandemic flu outbreak.
Help stop the spread of this virus - protect yourself and others:
1)Always carry tissues - Use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.
2)Bin the tissues after one use.
3)Wash your hands with soap and hot water or an alcohol often and thoroughly.
For more information visit www.scotland.gsi.gov.uk/swineflu or call the Swine Flu Information line - 0800 1 513 513
Health information is available at www.nhs24.com, or you can call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24
Is there a cure?
There is no cure but there are drugs that can help.
There is a stockpile of antiviral drugs (including Tamiflu and Relenza) - enough to treat more than 33 million people (half the UK population), and there are plans to increase this. Antiviral drugs are not a cure, but they can help you to recover if taken within 48 hours of symptoms developing, by:
Relieving some of the symptoms.
Reducing the length of time you are ill by around one day.
Reducing the potential for serious complications, such as pneumonia.
Is there a vaccination?
There is not a vaccination at this stage.
This type of flu is not the same as seasonal flu: it involves a completely new type of virus. A vaccine can only be developed when the specific strain has been identified, and it would then take several months to produce. The UK governments have agreements in place with manufacturers so that we can get stocks as soon as possible after a vaccine has been developed.
Can I still eat pork products?
Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. www.scotland.gov.uk/swineflu
BACKGROUND
About swine flu
Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu because it's a new flu virus that appears in humans and spreads very quickly from person to person worldwide.
Because it's a new virus, no one will have immunity to it and everyone could be at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well as older people, young children and those with existing medical conditions.
Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that can be spread through the droplets that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
When you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth with a tissue, those droplets can spread and others will be at risk of breathing them in.
If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are then easily spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch, and they can live on those surfaces for some time. Everyday items such as door handles, computer keyboards, mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control are all common surfaces where flu viruses can be found.
If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, the germs can enter their systems and they can become infected. That's how all cold and flu viruses are passed on from person to person.
WHAT HAVE THE UK GOVERNMENTS BEEN DOING TO PREPARE?
The Government has been planning for a flu pandemic for a number of years, and the UK plan has been identified as one of the best by the World Health Organization.
While the current situation is serious, there's good reason for us to be confident that we can deal with it. Thanks to the work of scientists who have studied previous pandemics, we know more now about treatments and how to stop the virus spreading than ever before.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
There are some other useful actions you can take now to prepare in case swine flu becomes more widespread:
Set up a network of 'flu friends'
Flu friends are neighbours, friends and relatives who can help you if you get ill. For example, they could collect medicines, food and other supplies for you, so that you don't have to leave home if you are ill.
Keep up to date with the latest information on swine flu and follow public health advice and instructions.
If swine flu spreads, you need to keep informed so that you know what else you can do to protect yourself and your family. As the situation changes, you should keep up to date by watching TV, listening to the radio, checking the internet and looking out for announcements in the press. The inside front cover of this leaflet gives details of websites and phone numbers you can use to find out the latest information.
What is an epidemic and a pandemic?
An epidemic is a sudden outbreak of disease that spreads through a single population or region in a short amount of time.
A pandemic occurs when there is a rapidly-spreading epidemic of a disease that affects most countries and regions of the world.
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