I Think - I've Got Pneumonia

Couples months ago I've got flue and bad fever. The fever is so high, and it happened for a whole night. My parents was so terrificly worried about my condition. The next morning, they took me to the hospital. The Doctor said that I have to take a blood test in according to find out what was happen with my body.

In short word, my blood test show that I have to much L.E.D in my lung.... I have to take the antibiotic treatment for about the whole month. Now, I am still have a treatment... I think, I've got pneumonia...... Bless me God

Pneumonia is a general term that refers to an infection of the lungs, which can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Often pneumonia begins after an upper respiratory tract infection (an infection of the nose and throat). When this happens, symptoms of pneumonia begin after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sore throat.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia vary, depending on the age of the child and the cause of the pneumonia. Common symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• cough
• unusually rapid breathing
• breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds
• labored breathing that makes a child's rib muscles retract (when muscles under the rib cage or between ribs draw inward with each breath)
• vomiting
• chest pain
• abdominal pain
• decreased activity
• loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in infants)
• in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails

Sometimes a child's only symptom is rapid breathing. Sometimes when the pneumonia is in the lower part of the lungs near the abdomen, there may be no breathing problems, but there may be fever and abdominal pain or vomiting.

When pneumonia is caused by bacteria, an infected child usually becomes sick relatively quickly and experiences the sudden onset of high fever and unusually rapid breathing. When pneumonia is caused by viruses, symptoms tend to appear more gradually and are often less severe than in bacterial pneumonia. Wheezing may be more common in viral pneumonia.

Some types of pneumonia cause symptoms that give important clues about which germ is causing the illness. For example, in older kids and adolescents, pneumonia due to Mycoplasma (also called walking pneumonia) is notorious for causing a sore throat and headache in addition to the usual symptoms of pneumonia.

In infants, pneumonia due to chlamydia may cause conjunctivitis (pinkeye) with only mild illness and no fever. When pneumonia is due to whooping cough (pertussis), the child may have long coughing spells, turn blue from lack of air, or make a classic "whoop" sound when trying to take a breath.

Description

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of germs, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Although different types of pneumonia tend to affect children in different age groups, pneumonia is most commonly caused by viruses. Viruses that cause pneumonia include adenoviruses, rhinovirus, influenza virus (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus (which causes croup).

Incubation

The incubation period for pneumonia varies, depending on the type of virus or bacteria causing the infection (for instance, respiratory syncytial virus, 4 to 6 days; influenza, 18 to 72 hours).

Duration

With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia can be cured within 1 to 2 weeks. Viral pneumonia may last longer. Mycoplasmal pneumonia may take 4 to 6 weeks to resolve completely.

Contagiousness

The viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia are contagious and are usually found in fluid from the mouth or nose of an infected person. Illness can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes on a person, by sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and when a person touches the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person.

Prevention

Vaccines can prevent infections by viruses or bacteria that cause some types of pneumonia. Kids usually receive routine immunizations against Haemophilus influenzae and pertussis (whooping cough) beginning at 2 months of age. (The pertussis immunization is the "P" part of the routine DTaP injection.) Vaccines are now also given against the pneumococcus organism (PCV), a common cause of bacterial pneumonia.

Children with chronic illnesses, who are at special risk for other types of pneumonia, may receive additional vaccines or protective immune medication. The flu vaccine is strongly recommended for kids with chronic illnesses such as chronic heart or lung disorders or asthma, as well as otherwise healthy children ages 6 months through 19 years.

Because they're at higher risk for serious complications, infants who were born prematurely may be given treatments that temporarily protect against RSV, which can lead to pneumonia in younger children.

Doctors may give prophylactic (disease-preventing) antibiotics to prevent pneumonia in kids who have been exposed to someone with certain types of pneumonia, such as pertussis. Those with HIV infection may also receive prophylactic antibiotics to prevent pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii.

Antiviral medication is now available, too, and can be used to prevent some types of viral pneumonia or to make symptoms less severe.

In addition, regular tuberculosis screening is performed yearly in some high-risk areas because early detection will prevent active tuberculosis infection including pneumonia.

In general, pneumonia is not contagious, but the upper respiratory viruses that lead to it are, so it is best to keep your child away from anyone who has an upper respiratory tract infection. If someone in your home has a respiratory infection or throat infection, keep his or her drinking glass and eating utensils separate from those of other family members, and wash your hands frequently, especially if you are handling used tissues or dirty handkerchiefs.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor immediately if your child has any of the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, but especially if your child:

• is having trouble breathing or is breathing abnormally fast
• has a bluish or gray color to the fingernails or lips
• has a fever of 102° Fahrenheit (38.9° Celsius), or above 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius) in infants under 6 months of age

Professional Treatment

Doctors usually make the diagnosis of pneumonia after a physical examination. The doctor may possibly use a chest X-ray, blood tests, and (sometimes) bacterial cultures of mucus produced by coughing when making a diagnosis.

In most cases, pneumonia can be treated with oral antibiotics given to your child at home. The type of antibiotic used depends on the type of pneumonia.

Children may be hospitalized for treatment if they have pneumonia caused by pertussis or other bacterial pneumonia that causes high fevers and respiratory distress. They may also be hospitalized if:

• supplemental oxygen is needed
• they have lung infections that may have spread into the bloodstream
• they have chronic illnesses that affect the immune system
• they are vomiting so much that they cannot take medicine by mouth
• if they have recurrent episodes of pneumonia

Home Treatment

If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, give the medicine on schedule for as long as directed. This will help your child recover faster and will decrease the chance that infection will spread to other household members.

Don't force a child who's not feeling well to eat, but encourage drinking of fluids, especially if fever is present. Ask the doctor before you use a medicine to treat your child's cough because cough suppressants stop the lungs from clearing mucus, which may not be helpful in some types of pneumonia.

If your child has chest pain, try a heating pad or warm compress on the chest area. Take your child's temperature at least once each morning and each evening, and call the doctor if it goes above 102° Fahrenheit (38.9° Celsius) in an older infant or child, or above 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius) in an infant under 6 months of age.

Check your child's lips and fingernails to make sure that they are rosy and pink, not bluish or gray, which is a sign that the lungs are not getting enough oxygen.

Source : Kids Health

Reviewed by: Joel Klein, MD
Date reviewed: November 2008

Regards,

Samuel Gultom
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Back To School-Prepare For Swine Flue

Parents might be feeling more anxious than usual as they send their children back to school this fall. After all, the previous academic year ended with a wave of school closings across the country, the declaration of an influenza pandemic, and fears that H1N1 (swine flu) would return with a vengeance this season.

But here’s the good news: Health and education officials at the local, state, and federal levels have spent the summer preparing for whatever the upcoming flu season may bring. And experts believe that H1N1 (swine flu) will not be any more potent than the seasonal flu we deal with every year. “I think the swine flu is going to be much milder than the regular flu,” says Dr. Kent Holtorf, M.D., of Holtorf Medical Group in Torrance and Foster City, Calif. “Likely there’s a lot more scare than there is substance.”

For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking a wait-and-see approach. In a new set of guidelines released in early August, the CDC recommends that schools not rush to close their doors if some students have the flu. Rather, they are urged to carefully weigh the potential benefits of school dismissal against the social disruption it can cause. The recommendations are based on severity of the flu season — whether conditions are similar to or more severe than the conditions observed in spring 2009 H1N1 outbreak.

A vaccine for H1N1 is undergoing clinical trials and is tentatively scheduled to be available in mid-October. “I think the good news is that by the time the question really comes up in school season, there will be a vaccine out — and a large proportion of the population will have already gone through the disease,” says Dr. Stephen Berger, M.D., founder of the Global Infectious Disease and Epidemiology Network and director of geographic medicine at Tel Aviv Medical Centre in Israel. “Not all flu is susceptible to drugs, but this one is.”

In the meantime, here are a few steps you can take to help keep your children healthy and prepare for the season ahead.

Healthy Practices to Prevent Swine Flu

• Review good hygiene practices with your children. Remind them to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly, and to cough or sneeze into a tissue or the crook of their arm. Equip them with a travel-size bottle of hand sanitizer to take to school.
• The CDC recommends getting your family vaccinated for both seasonal flu and H1N1(they are separate vaccines). Priority groups for the H1N1 vaccine — different than those for the seasonal flu — include people ages 6 months to 24 years and people who take care of or live with children under 6 months old. Priority groups include people ages 6 months to 24 years, as well as caretakers of children under 6 months old. NOTE: Multi-dose vials of H1N1 vaccine will contain thimerosal, an antibacterial additive that contains mercury and is believed by some to be harmful to children. Single-dose syringes and inhaler vaccine products will be thimerosal-free and are recommended for young children and pregnant women.
• If your child is sick, keep him home for at least 24 hours after the fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medication.

If Flu Conditions Become More Severe

• Keep a child sick with flu at home for at least seven days, even if he or she feels better sooner. Those who are still sick after seven days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have completely disappeared.
• If someone in your household is sick with the flu, keep all school-aged children home for five days from the time that person became sick. Monitor the children for signs of fever and other flu symptoms.

Contingency Plans in Case of School Closings

• Stay up-to-date on your school district’s pandemic or emergency plan.
• Determine whether your school plans to offer Web-based lessons or other forms of distance learning during an extended closure, and plan accordingly.
• Plan activities to keep your children engaged at home in the event of school closings. Create a stockpile of games, books, DVDs, craft projects, etc.
• Check with your employer ahead of time to find out if you will be able to stay home to care for sick family members or children who have been dismissed from school. If you can’t work from home, arrange for other child care.

source :Everyday Health

Recommended school responses for the 2009-2010 school year

Under conditions with similar severity as in spring 2009

* Stay home when sick:
Those with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay home even if they are using antiviral drugs. (For more information, see CDC Recommendations for the Amount of Time Persons with Influenza-Like Illness Should be Away from Others.)

* Separate ill students and staff:
Students and staff who appear to have flu-like illness should be sent to a room separate from others until they can be sent home. CDC recommends that they wear a surgical mask, if possible, and that those who care for ill students and staff wear protective gear such as a mask.

* Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette:
The new recommendations emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of influenza prevention: stay home when sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).

* Routine cleaning:
School staff should routinely clean areas that students and staff touch often with the cleaners they typically use. CDC does not believe any additional disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond the recommended routine cleaning is required.

* Early treatment of high-risk students and staff:
People at high risk for influenza complications who become ill with influenza-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medications is very important for people at high risk because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. People at high risk include those who are pregnant, have asthma or diabetes, have compromised immune systems, or have neuromuscular diseases.

* Consideration of selective school dismissal:
Although there are not many schools where all or most students are at high risk (for example, schools for medically fragile children or for pregnant students) a community might decide to dismiss such a school to better protect these high-risk students.

Under conditions of increased severity compared with spring 2009

CDC may recommend additional measures to help protect students and staff if global and national assessments indicate that influenza is causing more severe disease. In addition, local health and education officials may elect to implement some of these additional measures. Except for school dismissals, these strategies have not been scientifically tested. But CDC wants communities to have tools to use that may be the right measures for their community and circumstances.

* Active screening:
Schools should check students and staff for fever and other symptoms of flu when they get to school in the morning, separate those who are ill, and send them home as soon as possible. Throughout the day, staff should be vigilant in identifying students and other staff who appear ill.

* High-risk students and staff members stay home:
People at high-risk of flu complications should talk to their doctor about staying home from school when a lot of flu is circulating in the community. Schools should plan now for ways to continue educating students who stay home through instructional phone calls, homework packets, internet lessons, and other approaches.

* Students with ill household members stay home:
Students who have an ill household member should stay home for five days from the day the first household member got sick. This is the time period they are most likely to get sick themselves.

* Increase distance between people at schools:
CDC encourages schools to try innovative ways of separating students. These can be as simple as moving desks farther apart or canceling classes that bring together children from different classrooms.

* Extend the period for ill persons to stay home:
If influenza severity increases, people with flu-like illness should stay home for at least 7 days, even if they have no more symptoms. If people are still sick, they should stay home until 24 hours after they have no symptoms.

* School dismissals:
School and health officials should work closely to balance the risks of flu in their community with the disruption dismissals will cause in both education and the wider community. The length of time schools should be dismissed will vary depending on the type of dismissal as well as the severity and extent of illness. Schools that dismiss students should do so for five to seven calendar days and should reassess whether or not to resume classes after that period. Schools that dismiss students should remain open to teachers and staff so they can continue to provide instruction through other means.


Reactive dismissals might be appropriate when schools are not able to maintain normal functioning for example, when a significant number and proportion of students have documented fever while at school despite recommendations to keep ill children home.

Preemptive dismissals can be used proactively to decrease the spread of flu. CDC may recommend preemptive school dismissals if the flu starts to cause severe disease in a significantly larger proportion of those affected.
Deciding on a course of action

CDC and its partners will continuously look for changes in the severity of influenza-like illness and will share what is learned with state and local agencies. However, states and local communities can expect to see a lot of differences in disease burden across the country.

Every state and community has to balance a variety of objectives to determine their best course of action to help decrease the spread of influenza.
Decision-makers should explicitly identify and communicate their objectives which might be one or more of the following:

1. protecting overall public health by reducing community transmission;
2. reducing transmission in students and school staff; and
3. protecting people with high-risk conditions.

Some strategies can have negative consequences in addition to their potential benefits. In the particular case of school dismissals, decision-makers also must consider and balance additional factors:
(a) how to ensure students continue to learn;
(2) how to provide an emotionally and physically safe place for students; and
(3) how to reduce demands on local health care services. The following questions can help begin discussions and lead to decisions at the state and local levels.

source: CDC H1N1

Swine Flue (H1N1) Pandemic

Viruses resistant to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) identified

WHO has been informed by health authorities in Denmark, Japan and the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, China of the appearance of H1N1 viruses which are resistant to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (known as Tamiflu) based on laboratory testing.

These viruses were found in three patients who did not have severe disease and all have recovered. Investigations have not found the resistant virus in the close contacts of these three people. The viruses, while resistant to oseltamivir, remain sensitive to zanamivir.

Close to 1000 pandemic H1N1 viruses have been evaluated by the laboratories in the Global Influenza Surveillance Network for antiviral drug resistance. All other viruses have been shown sensitive to both oseltamivir and zanamivir. WHO and its partners will continue to conduct ongoing monitoring of influenza viruses for antiviral drug resistance.

Therefore, based on current information, these instances of drug resistance appear to represent sporadic cases of resistance. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the development of widespread antiviral resistance among pandemic H1N1 viruses. Based on this risk assessment, there are no changes in WHO's clinical treatment guidance. Antiviral drugs remain a key component of the public health response when used as recommended.

WHO Reccomendation For Vaccines

On 7 July 2009, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization held an extraordinary meeting in Geneva to discuss issues and make recommendations related to vaccine for the pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

SAGE reviewed the current pandemic situation, the current status of seasonal vaccine production and potential A(H1N1) vaccine production capacity, and considered potential options for vaccine use.

The experts identified three different objectives that countries could adopt as part of their pandemic vaccination strategy:

• protect the integrity of the health-care system and the country's critical infrastructure;
• reduce morbidity and mortality; and
• reduce transmission of the pandemic virus within communities.

Countries could use a variety of vaccine deployment strategies to reach these objectives but any strategy should reflect the country’s epidemiological situation, resources and ability to access vaccine, to implement vaccination campaigns in the targeted groups, and to use other non-vaccine mitigation measures.

Although the severity of the pandemic is currently considered to be moderate with most patients experiencing uncomplicated, self-limited illness, some groups such as pregnant women and persons with asthma and other chronic conditions such as morbid obesity appear to be at increased risk for severe disease and death from infection.

Since the spread of the pandemic virus is considered unstoppable, vaccine will be needed in all countries. SAGE emphasized the importance of striving to achieve equity among countries to access vaccines developed in response to the pandemic (H1N1) 2009

The following recommendations were provided to the WHO Director-General:

• All countries should immunize their health-care workers as a first priority to protect the essential health infrastructure. As vaccines available initially will not be sufficient, a step-wise approach to vaccinate particular groups may be considered. SAGE suggested the following groups for consideration, noting that countries need to determine their order of priority based on country-specific conditions: pregnant women; those aged above 6 months with one of several chronic medical conditions; healthy young adults of 15 to 49 years of age; healthy children; healthy adults of 50 to 64 years of age; and healthy adults of 65 years of age and above.
• Since new technologies are involved in the production of some pandemic vaccines, which have not yet been extensively evaluated for their safety in certain population groups, it is very important to implement post-marketing surveillance of the highest possible quality. In addition, rapid sharing of the results of immunogenicity and post-marketing safety and effectiveness studies among the international community will be essential for allowing countries to make necessary adjustments to their vaccination policies.
• In view of the anticipated limited vaccine availability at global level and the potential need to protect against "drifted" strains of virus, SAGE recommended that promoting production and use of vaccines such as those that are formulated with oil-in-water adjuvants and live attenuated influenza vaccines was important.
• As most of the production of the seasonal vaccine for the 2009-2010 influenza season in the northern hemisphere is almost complete and is therefore unlikely to affect production of pandemic vaccine, SAGE did not consider that there was a need to recommend a "switch" from seasonal to pandemic vaccine production.

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan endorsed the above recommendations on 11 July 2009, recognizing that they were well adapted to the current pandemic situation. She also noted that the recommendations will need to be changed if and when new evidence become available.

SAGE was established by the WHO Director-General in 1999 as the principal advisory group to WHO for vaccines and immunization. It comprises 15 members who serve in their personal capacity and represent a broad range of disciplines from around the world in the fields such as epidemiology, public health, vaccinology, paediatrics, internal medicine, infectious diseases, immunology, drug regulation, programme management, immunization delivery, and health-care administration.

Additional participants in the SAGE meeting included members of the ad hoc policy advisory working group on influenza A(H1N1) vaccine, chairs of the regional technical advisory groups and external experts. Observers included industry representatives and regulators who did not take part in the recommendation process in order to avoid conflicts of interest.

RELATED LINKS

Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: full coverage

Frequent Ask Question

What is H1N1 Influenza 09?
H1N1 Influenza 09, commonly known as ‘swine flu’, is a new type of influenza virus which causes respiratory disease in people.


How is ‘swine flu’ spread?
The virus spreads from person to person in the same way as seasonal influenza which is via respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes. It can also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person, object or surface and then touches their mouth or nose or food they are going to eat.


What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of ‘swine flu’ appear to be similar to those of seasonal flu which include fever and cough or sore throat. You may also have a headache, runny or blocked noses, tiredness, body aches and in some instances diarrhoea and vomiting. Like seasonal influenza, ‘swine flu’ may also cause a worsening of other underlying chronic medical conditions.


What is the current situation?
The situation is constantly changing. For up to date information, please visit :

• http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/
• www.flu.sa.gov.au
  

Who is at risk of catching ‘swine flu’?
Anyone can get ‘swine flu’ or seasonal flu. people who have had the seasonal flu vaccine for 2009 have a much lower chance of getting seasonal flu, but can still catch 'swine flu'.


How serious is it?
Although the ‘swine flu’ virus appears to be mild in most cases, it can cause severe illness in some people. Based on evidence from overseas, The Federal Government has indicated that the following vulnerable groups are at an increased risk of severe illness from the virus:-

• Pregnant women (particularly in second and third trimesters)
• People with morbid obesity
• People with chronic illnesses such as heart disease, renal disease, respiratory disease such as chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD), asthma requiring ongoing treatment, diabetes, or who are immunosuppressed from a specific disease or treatment

If you are in one of the vulnerable groups above, you should keep a careful eye on your health and avoid contact with anyone who has flu-like symptoms.


How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis is confirmed by laboratory examination of mucus from the back of the nose or throat, or by blood tests. In the current ‘Protect’ phase, not everyone who has symptoms will be tested for ‘swine flu’. This will be decided on a case by case basis with a focus on people in the vulnerable groups listed above.


What is the incubation period?
The time between becoming infected and developing symptoms is 1 – 7 days, in most cases it appears to be between 1 – 4 days.


When would I be contagious (able to spread the illness)?
Based on current knowledge, an infected person can spread the infection to others from one day before the onset of symptoms and up to 7 days after the onset of symptoms. Children, especially younger children, may be contagious for longer periods.


What should I do if I think I have ‘swine flu’?
Not everyone who has flu (either seasonal or ‘swine’) needs to see a doctor. If you are otherwise healthy and have mild flu symptoms, you are asked to:-

• Stay at home and keep away from work, school and crowded areas or public gatherings until your fever has gone and you feel well
• Avoid contact with other people where possible
• Wash your hands regularly and always after coughing or sneezing. You can use soap and water or an alcohol based hand rub
• Wipe down frequently touched surfaces (such as remote controls or door knobs) regularly using detergent or a large alcohol wipe
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and when using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully in a waste bin
• Rest, drink plenty of fluids and use a pain reliever for aches. This is adequate for recovery in most cases. A non-aspirin pain reliever should be used by children and teenagers

When should I seek medical advice?
You should seek medical advice if you are concerned about your symptoms, if your symptoms become worse, or if you experience any of the following,

* shortness of breath
* difficulty breathing
* confusion
* inability to keep liquids down because of vomiting
* dehydration (dizzy when standing, passing much less urine than normal)

For parents with a young child, you should seek medical care immediately if your child has fast or strained/laboured breathing or if their health starts deteriorating.

Who should I speak to for medical advice?
If you need medical advice, you should call your GP and find out if they can see you. If you can’t see your GP, you should go to your nearest hospital with an Emergency Department.

For advice over the phone, call the 08176677161 (Farm Department) or SMS to 9611 (Health Department)

Is there any treatment for ‘swine flu’?
‘Swine flu’ can be treated with the prescription antiviral medications oseltamivir (TamiFlu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®). Antiviral medications started within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms can reduce symptoms by about 1 day and prevent some of the more serious complications of flu.
There is currently no vaccine for ‘swine flu’ although work is underway to develop an effective vaccine.
Seasonal flu vaccine may not give protection against ‘swine flu’ but does provide protection against other circulating seasonal influenza virus types. Vaccination will also reduce the overall burden of seasonal influenza in the community and, in turn, reduce the burden on our hospitals and health system.

How do I get a prescription for antiviral medication?
Your GP will continue to make decisions about whether you need antiviral medication or not.

If I am suspected of having ‘swine flu’ and have been sent home, what should I do?
If you are awaiting the result of tests for ‘swine flu’ and have been sent home, you should follow the instructions given to you by your doctor.

What measures can I take to prevent infection?
General good hygiene can help to reduce the spread of all viruses, including ‘swine flu’.
Information on how to control the spread of disease through good hygiene practices can be found website www.health.sa.gov.au/infectioncontrol


Should I wear a mask to prevent becoming infected?
If you are ill then wearing a mask may reduce the chance of you infecting others. If you are healthy, there is no need for you to wear a mask.

Is it safe to eat pig meat?
Yes. There is no evidence that swine flu can be transmitted through eating meat from infected animals.

Where can I get further advice?
SA Health has produced a number of fact sheets on human swine influenza which are available to view through our website www.flu.sa.gov.au . These fact sheets include frequently asked questions about schools and information to assist businesses.

• National Health and Medical Research Council - inFLUenza
• NHS - Immunisation
• Department of Health and Ageing
• Influenza Specialist Group
• http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/
  

Regards,

Samuel Gultom
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Swine Influenza (Flue Babi) - FAQ

Questions & Answers

Swine Influenza and You

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Are there human infections with swine flu 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. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
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.

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.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the 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.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. 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).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
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.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
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.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
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.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. 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 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. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• 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.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. 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.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their 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.

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

How serious is swine flu infection?
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.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. 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.

H5N1 Case in Indonesia

A health official in indonesia reported yesterday that a hospitalised woman was tested positive for bird flu. indonesia has witnessed 52 deaths due to bird flu//, the number being the highest of any country. Most of the deaths occurred from the beginning of this year.

"A 67-year-old woman living in the Cisarua area of Bandung had contact with fowl," the official from the bird flu information centre over telephone. "The woman was admitted to the hospital on Oct. 7 and was still alive, " the official added. "The woman tested positive to the H5N1 virus after a test at a health ministry laboratory and one conducted by NAMRU, the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit based in Jakarta," the official added.

Hadi Yusuf, the director of the Hasan Sadikin hospital in Bandung, southeast of the capital Jakarta, said, "The woman is being treated with the anti-viral drug Tamiflu and antibiotics. "Her condition is bad. For a second day, she has been on a respirator and her blood pressure is high." Yusuf said, "The woman had come down with a fever two weeks after being in the vicinity of dead chickens. "

The indonesian government has not taken up mass culling of birds, in spite of the rise in the number of human deaths, mentioning the costs and uselessness in a big, densely populated country where a few fowls in the back yard is common.

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