Health Blurbs

Humans are not the only species to get sick. Other animals do too. And sometimes we can catch what they have.

An infectious disease that is transmitted from animal to human, or visa versa, is called a zoonotic disease. Swine flu is one such transmittable disease, albeit rarely.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza virus.   This virus regularly causes flu outbreaks among pigs. Yet, it normally doesn’t infect humans.

When swine flu does makes its way into a human, it’s usually in someone with direct exposure to pigs. Since swine influenza is contagious, an infected individual can unwittingly circulate it around the population.

Like all influenza viruses, pig viruses are constantly changing.  They can swap genes, causing a new virus strain to emerge.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of other influenza viruses. So with this virus infection, you may experience:

• fever
• chills
• fatigue
• diarrhea
• coughing
• headache
• sore throat
• runny nose
• appetite loss
• nausea & vomiting

Consider yourself contagious for about a week after pig caused influenza symptom onslaught or until your symptoms clear up.  Use the longest of these two options to make your potential for spreading determination.

At a minimum, it means no coughing or sneezing on others. Nor handling of shared stuff.

Antiviral drugs are available to treat swine flu. A visit to your health care professional is required to confirm diagnosis and get a prescription.  Antiviral drug treatment does its best work within 2 days of your symptoms.

Occasionally, swine flu causes death.  Severe pneumonia and respiratory failure can even occur in otherwise healthy individuals.

A challenge for the healthy is that a bout with other types of influenza typically doesn’t require a trip to your doc.  However, get your sick self emergency medical care if you encounter symptoms of:

• confusion
• bluish skin
• dehydration
• fever with rash
• sudden dizziness
• breathing difficulty
• chest pain, pressure
• severe, persistent vomiting

As of spring 2009, there is no human vaccine for any strain of swine flu.  Although, a vaccination for your pig is available.

Check with CDC swine flu webpage for current updates. Info about this pig related malady is prone to change.

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