Flu viruses spread mainly when people who have the disease cough or sneeze. Sometimes people become infected when they touch an infected surface (like a phone receiver) and then touch their mouths or noses.

A person cannot get swine flu by eating or preparing pork.

Symptoms of Swine Flu
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu. They include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Often symptoms come on very quickly. If you or a member of your family has flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider, especially if the symptoms get worse.

Pregnant Women
For many pregnant women who get swine flu, the illness will be mild. But for some, swine flu will progress rapidly, and symptoms will be severe.

Some pregnant women will get complications such as pneumonia and dehydration. These conditions can be serious and even fatal. Some women who have the flu may go into preterm labor.

If you are pregnant, pay close attention to your body and how your feel. If you have flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider right away. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women who appear to have swine flu take an antiviral drug. You must have a prescription to get this drug. If you do have symptoms, stay home, and limit your contact with other people. Increase the amount of fluids you drink, but avoid drinks that have a lot of sugar. Have someone check on you regularly.

The CDC also recommends that pregnant women who have close contact with a person who has or may have the swine flu take an antiviral drug.

High fever may be especially dangerous to the fetus. If you have a high fever, treat it right away. Acetaminophen appears to be the best way to treat fever during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, avoid caring for anyone who has or may have swine flu if at all possible.

Infants and Children
When children under 1 year of age get the flu, they are usually at high risk for complications, including serious conditions such as pneumonia.

Because of the possible risk of complications, infants with swine flu may benefit from an antiviral drug. If your child becomes ill, talk about this option with your baby’s health care provider.

Breastfeeding Women
If you are breastfeeding and have signs of swine flu, talk to your health care provider. If your provider agrees, you can continue breastfeeding while you are ill, even if you are taking an antiviral drug. Mother's milk is made to fight disease. It can help your baby avoid the flu.

To reduce the risk to your baby, wash your hands often. You may also want to wear a face mask.

According to medical scientists, babies are unlikely to get swine flu from breast milk. 

If you feel too ill to breastfeed, you may pump your milk if you feel up to it.

Vaccination Against Swine Flu
A vaccine for swine flu is currently being developed. It should be available in the fall of 2009. The CDC recommends that the following groups be the first to receive the vaccine:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old
• Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age
• Health care and emergency workers
• People aged 25 through 64 who have chronic health problems or weak immune systems (examples of chronic health problems are asthma, diabetes, lupus and obesity)

Pregnant women are at high risk of getting swine flu. Some have been very ill from the disease, and a few have even died. For these reasons, pregnant women will be among the first groups to whom the vaccine is offered. Check with your health care provider and watch for news reports to learn when the vaccine is available.

Protecting Yourself and Your Family
Here are some things you and your family can do to protect yourself and your family against swine flu and the usual seasonal influenza that we see during winter months.

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Wash for 15 to 20 seconds every time. Alcohol-based hand cleansers also work well. Handwashing is very important for babies and small children because they put their hands in their mouths a lot.
• Avoid people who are ill.
• Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
• Use a tissue when you cough, sneeze or spit. Cover your mouth. Put the used tissue in a covered trash bin.
• Keep your hands away from your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Clean shared objects more often than you usually do. Examples: phone receivers, keyboards, steering wheels, office equipment.
• Don’t share personal items such as forks, spoons, toothbrushes, towels, pacifiers and toys that a baby may put in his mouth.
• Thoroughly wash with soap and warm water anything that has been in a baby's mouth.
• Put a pacifier, including the handle, only in one baby's mouth. Do not put it in anyone else's mouth.
• In case you or someone in your family gets the flu, stock up on healthy liquids, acetaminophen, and foods that will keep. Examples: frozen foods, canned goods.

Emergency Warning Signs
Sometimes swine flu worsens, and the person needs immediate medical care. Here are the common warning signs.

For Infants and Children

• • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or interacting
  • Being so irritable that the child doesn’t want to be held
  • Fever with a rash
  • Flu-like symptoms improve, but then come back with fever and worse cough

For Adults

• • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or belly
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe vomiting
  • Vomiting that goes on and on

For more information, visit the CDC Web site.

JAugust 2009