Due to the rising interests and questions being posted to around the web I thought it might be helpful for some of you out there to gather some information on the facts about the swine flu outbreak.

The swine flu influenza transmission use to jump from pig to pig and only in rare cases transmit to humans. The origins of it might be that humans first transmitted the influenza virus to pigs before they developed their own. The influenza season brings a mix of influenza viruses resulting in the increased risk of transmission and infection from pig to humans, causing cross-species transmission. Known swine flu viruses are the H1N1 subtype as well as less popular subtypes like H1N2, H3N1 or H3N2.   Therefore a pig can be infected by more than one virus type at the same time.

Infection Risk

Human-to –human infection was once limited to a close group of people, before the Mexico incidents on April 2009. Prior to that swine influenza was transmitted from infected pigs that had direct contact to human, mostly their owners.

Safety Consumption of Pork?

It is indeed still safe eating pork food. So far no documentation is available indicating a link between safely prepared pork food and human swine flu infection. The swine flu influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 70 degrees C or 160 F.

Any Vaccine Protection Against The Swine Flu Virus?

Up to now (End of April 2009) there are no vaccines known protecting human from this influenza virus illness. Usually each year they is an influenza protection vaccine being issued, however it is unclear if this influence protection does work on the swine flu virus. Please, do not take chances visit your health professional in any case of feeling typical symptoms of influenza infection.

Furthermore, it is recorded that previous swine flu infections have successfully been cured without any additional treatment, requiring no medical treatment at all.

The influenza virus is widespread and is a seasonal outbreak. In some cases it has developed resistance towards antiviral medication and therefore reducing the effectiveness of treatment.

So far in Mexico or the United States the health officials have recommended the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for treatment. But again, make an informed decision by visiting your local health centre or professional in case of observed symptoms on yourself or somebody you suspect within your social network.

What Are Typical Symptoms of Swine Flu Infection?

Acute respiratory tract infections of any kind well known throughout the influenza season could be an indication for swine flu infection. Even mild symptoms should be taken seriously, especially by children, aged people, pregnant or any physical weakened individuals like patients or people in some kind of medication program. Please seek your next nearest health information spot be it your doctor or any qualified.

How To Reduce The Risk Of Infection?

Please avoid the direct contact to pigs if possible. Should you be a pig farmer or dealer make sure the pigs you are around on a regular basis are checked by a veterinary and are labelled swine flu free. Clean your hands with soap every time after you were in contact with pigs.

Usually people like pig farmers are the ones who get infected as there are in a regular contact with them. Especially during slaughter is the exposure high. Please avoid sick animals and do not slaughter them on your own, but report them immediately to your local health authorities. This way you may avoid worse. The next best thing to do is to follow local and national news, especially from credible news sources like governmental health departments or respected NGO`s.

Furthermore, avoid people who seem to have catch flu, with fever symptoms or cough frequently.

Eat healthy food and drink 100 % fruits based liquids or just clean water. Avoid uncooked meat, especially pig, cooked as stated above should be ok. Just practice recommended health habits like physical fitness as much as possible. Together you reduce the risk of being infected and when infected you reduce the risk of illness or further deterioration.

Should someone in your family be infected make sure you take that person asap to the next clinic or doctor for advice and treatment. In case it’s not immediately possible keep that person at least 1 meter away from others, best into a separate room. Be there for the person, so he or she doesn’t feel abandoned which can lead to worsening situation.

Improve the airflow in where the infected person is. Use door or window for the breeze.

Keep the area clean from dirt or any open cans, dustbins etc. Do not forget to wash your hands properly each time after contact with the infected person. COVER MOUTH AND NOSE permanently with professional masks from your local authority or pharmacy and the like. They must be clean and unused.

Please note the information above was assembled from various credible sources, especially the World Health Organisation, a United Nations public health arm. However, in no case can it be regarded as sufficient or advisory for any action taken by you in case regarding the topic discussed here. It is for your basic information and education only, you are therefore, solely responsible for any action resulting from reading this. Only your local or national health authorities can advice you how to proper deal with infection and related, make sure you seek only expert advice and not just general basic information gathered from around the web like this one above. Healthy day, your activagers.com team!

Roxanne Gordimer is a travel, health and lifestyle expert working for companies such as activagers.com and other social networks.

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