At Home with Monica Olinde, LSU AgCenter Agent, Pointe Coupee Parish
I am sure by now you have seen media coverage of the spread of swine flu in the Louisiana. What is the swine flu? Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza viruses. It occasionally spreads to humans, although human-to-human transmission has been rare until now. Is the swine flu (H1N1 virus) contagious? The CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and can spread from human to human.
What are the signs and symptoms of the virus? The symptoms are similar to the regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
How is the swine flu virus spread? The H1N1 flu spreads the same way the seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with the virus. Sometimes a person gets infected by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching his or her mouth or nose. Infected people may be able to spread the virus to others beginning the day before the symptoms develop and up to seven days after becoming sick. That means the virus can be spread before you may know you are sick.
Can you get swine flu from eating pork? No, this flu virus is not spread by eating pork. If good food safety rules are followed, pork is safe to eat.
The CDC is monitoring the swine flu situation closely and updates are posted often. Become a partner in helping yourself and your family by taking these actions: 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 meals. The virus can live on a surface two hours or longer, so try not to touch surfaces that may have been contaminated with the flu virus. Frequent hand washing will help reduce the chance of getting contaminated from surfaces. Avoid close contact with people who are infected.
There is no vaccine right now to protect against the flu. But your everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs that could cause respiratory illness. Use these steps to protect your health:
1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, or eyes. Germs spread this way.
4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
5. If you get sick from influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home.
What is the best technique for hand washing? The LSU AgCenter recommends you wash your hands with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds. Dry them with a single use paper towel.
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can be mild to severe. If you are having any symptoms, contact your physician and stay home from work. Aggressive prevention is the best action to keep you and your loved ones well. Please practice the recommended steps.
Source: Diane Sasser, Ph.D., Professor/Specialist, Family and Child Development, LSU AgCenter