Apr
29
Written by:
host
4/29/2009 5:27 PM
With the possibility of the swine flu outbreak worsening in scope, the SMWIA and the Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust is resolved to keeping SMWIA members, employers and their families prepared. Below is a fact sheet concerning swine flu.
You can also find more information from OSHA that SMOHIT makes available to SMWIA members and their families here.
Background
Swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is a respiratory disease of pigs. People do not normally get swine flu but human infections can and do happen. Influenza viruses cause infections of the respiratory tract (breathing tubes and lungs). In some persons, complications can be severe. These could include pneumonia and even death. There have been cases of swine flu in Mexico with over 100 deaths as of April 26,2009. Cases have also been identified in New York City, California, Ohio, Kansas, Texas and Spain.
What is the difference between swine flu and the regular flu?
This swine flu is a new flu virus. Humans will have little or no resistance to this new kind of flu. There is a vaccine for regular flu prepared each flu season. However there is no vaccine available for a swine flu. It normally takes at least six months to develop flu vaccines.
How is swine flu spreading?
Swine flu would be spread from person to person through respiratory liquids from the nose or mouth. These respiratory liquids are virus-containing droplets (such as spit or mucous). They are created when a person who has the flu coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land on the nose, mouth and throat of persons who are near. The virus may also spread by touching the droplets on other surfaces or objects.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. In the past severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people.
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 interacting
- being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- fever with a rash and flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Why is swine flu so serious?
Since most people will not have immunity or natural resistance to swine flu, large numbers of people around the world can become infected. Once the flu develops, it can spread quickly.
It is thought that it is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing of people with the swine flu. This makes it particularly dangerous because it may spread easily. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses (some viruses and bacteria can live up to 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs and desks) on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Swine influenza is not spread by food. You cannot get it by eating pork or pork products.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that as much as 15 to 35 % of the United States population could be affected by a pandemic flu which a flu that is spread to multiple countries and large numbers of people. The swine flu is not yet a pandemic but it could become one.
That means that one in every three people may be at risk for developing swine flu. A large number of those infected will require some form of medical care.
Can a swine flu epidemic be prevented?
It will be important to maintain essential health care and community services if an outbreak occurs. A person infected with the flu virus can be contagious for 1 day before the start of symptoms and for seven days afterwards. This long contagion period makes it easy for the virus to spread to large numbers of people.
The federal government is stockpiling medical supplies and antiviral drugs to treat such a flu. However, no country or community in the world currently has enough antiviral drugs to protect its citizens.
CDC recommends that use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and or prevention of infection.
Antiviral drugs may have to be rationed in the event of an outbreak.
Attempts to slow the spread of a severe influenza outbreak could include temporarily closing schools, sports events, theaters, restaurants and other public gathering places. This is happening in Mexico.
Large numbers of workers may not be able to get to their jobs. They may be sick with the flu or afraid of getting it from other people.
What can I do to protect myself and my family from swine flu?
Begin now to practice simple but important habits that reduce the spread of germs and viruses:
Get a seasonal flu shot
Stay home when you are sick
Avoid close contact with people who are ill
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water
Before handling or eating food
After using the toilet
After sneezing or wiping your nose
Whenever hands are dirty
Use an alcohol based hand wash if water is not available for hand washing
Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
In healthcare institutions use appropriate personal protective equipment such as N 95 respirators (not surgical masks), gowns, suits, gloves, booties et al. Employers should prepare ahead of time with training, and respirator fit-testing.
Establish procedures to encourage symptomatic patients to follow respiratory etiquette by wearing surgical masks and be placed in negative pressure isolation rooms.
Source: Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization
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