Swine Flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type “A” influenza viruses.

2. Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren't the same as human flu viruses. Swine flu doesn't often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current "swine flu" outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person –and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs.

3. In an effort to avoid confusion, the CDC is calling the virus "novel influenza A (H1N1) virus" to distinguish it both from flu viruses that infect mainly pigs and from the seasonal influenza A H1N1 viruses that have been in circulation for many years.

6. What is Swine Flu? Swine Flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type “A” influenza viruses. People didn’t normally get Swine Flu but human infection can and do occur. Most commonly, human cases of Swine Flu happen in people who are around pigs. But it’s possible for Swine Flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

8. What are swine flu symptoms? Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms. But these symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions. That means that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine flu. Health care professionals may offer a rapid flu test, although a negative result doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu.

9. Between 2005 and until January2009, “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 was hospitalized with pneumonia after being infected with Swine Flu, and she died 8 days later. A Swine Flu outbreak, in New Jersey occurred in 1976 and caused more than “200” cases with severe illness in several people and 1 death.

11. Spread of Swine Flu: 1- Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with Swine Flu viruses. 2- Through contact with a person infected with Swine Flu virus.

13. Prevention and Treatment There is no vaccine available right now to protect against Swine Flu. However; there are everyday actions that people can take to help to prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

14. Take these everyday steps to protect your health • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in trash after you use it. • wash your hands often with soap and water. (alcohol base hand cleaners are also effective). • if you get sick with influenza, stay at home from work and avoid contact with others. • avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth because germs can spread that way.

16. What you should do when you get sick: • If you have influenza like symptoms, contact your health care provider. • If you have any of the "warning signs" seek emergency medical care

17. Warning signs in children (which need urgent medical treatment): • Fast or troubled breathing • Bluish skin color • Not drinking enough fluids • Not waking up or not interacting • Being so irritable that the child doesn't want to be held • Fever with a rash • Flu like symptoms that improve then return with a fever and a worse cough.

18. Emergency warning signs in adults: • Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen • Sudden dizziness • Confusion • Severe vomiting

19. Done by: Leen Awad & Adei Ibbini