Swine Flu - Facts

Basic facts about the new fluWhat is novel influenza A/H1N1?

This is a new flu virus infecting humans. It was first detected in humans in the US in April, 2009, but was probably causing infections in Mexico for a period before this.

Initially this new flu virus was thought to be a type of flu virus that infects pigs and sometimes spreads to humans (hence the initial name of "swine flu"). However, further studies have revealed that it is not a virus that came directly from pigs but is rather a new virus formed by the recombination of several different genetic elements from pigs, avian and human species.

What are symptoms of the H1N1 flu - swine flu?
The symptoms are not different from those of seasonal flu. They include fever, muscle and chest pains, cough, sore throat and headache. It is only in rare cases that you will find a person infected having diahorrea and vomiting.

How does the H1N1 virus spread?
Available information on this new virus suggests that it spreads from person to person much like "seasonal influenza" which is mainly via respiratory droplet transmission. Just like seasonal flu it is airborne and spreads through coughing and sneezing by an infected person. When sneezing or coughing, an infected person releases respiratory droplets into the air and the next person will be infected by breathing in those droplets. In addition, infection can result if there is contact with inanimate surfaces such as door knobs or hands that are contaminated with the flu virus and then the person touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes.
The virus can also be contracted by coming into contact with an infected person or even by talking to one. It can be contracted from a contaminated hand after an infected person has coughed or sneezed on that hand.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
At the current time, it is believed that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to seven days after they get sick.

Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. It is therefore important for people to stay at home for at least seven days when they have symptoms to reduce spread to other people.

What if it goes undetected or untreated?
The majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment.

Is there a need for the public to panic?
Experience in other affected countries indicates that this virus spreads rapidly through communities. It is not possible to contain this virus by quarantine of contacts and travel restrictions. Social distancing of affected persons, usually by home isolation, may to some extent reduce spread. From the experience of this disease in other countries, spread is inevitable.

What age group is mostly affected by the virus in South Africa?
Although older people were commonly the most infected with seasonal flu, the H1N1 virus is now affecting young people the most.

How can the virus be prevented from spreading?
Cover your nose with a tissue when sneezing, and mouth when coughing, to prevent the infected droplets from being released into the air. Make sure you dispose of the tissue.

Answers by Professor Barry Schoub, a director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service
This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on August 04, 2009