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Swine flu, or pandemic influenza A/H1N1, is a viral illness caused by the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus.
It was first isolated in Mexico and the United States in April 2009 and has since spread around the world. Disease from this strain of influenza is largely indistinguishable from that of seasonal (annual) influenza.
As in seasonal influenza, the virus spreads easily from person to person through droplet distribution when an infected person coughs or sneezes or, quite commonly, through hand-to-hand contact. Influenza viruses can infect the nose, throat, sinuses, upper airways and lungs.
Although often a mild disease, pandemic H1N1 can be life-threatening in children and young adults, pregnant women, people with decreased immunity (e.g. through HIV infection) and in people of any age who have certain underlying conditions. As is true for any influenza infection, those most at risk should do all they can to avoid it and should be treated as soon as possible if it is indicated.
Some, or all, of the symptoms of seasonal flu may be present:
• High fever (often higher than 39°C) with chills
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Blocked nose or nasal discharge
• Sweating and shivering
• Muscle aches and pains, especially in the legs (the “I've been run over by a bus” feeling)
• General malaise
• Fatigue and sleepiness all day
• Diarrhoea
Symptoms can occur abruptly, and it is sometimes possible to pinpoint the exact hour of the day that symptoms began. Diarrhoea and other stomach complaints are seen in 22%-39% of cases – more than in seasonal flu – and may occur in up to 80% of patients younger than 14.
Prevention
Protection against seasonal flu and pandemic H1N1 is exactly the same. By far the most effective way to prevent flu is to have the annual flu vaccine.
Many cold and flu viruses are acquired from people who don’t yet have symptoms, and it’s always difficult to contain viruses that travel through the air. You can’t help being exposed to these viruses. However, there are some general measures you can take to give yourself the best chance of avoidance:
At home or work:
• Wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your nose, eyes or mouth unnecessarily.
• "Contain" sneezes and coughs with disposable tissues (and make sure to dispose of them right away!) and wash your hands afterwards.
• Try not to touch objects around you when in public places, such as the rail of the escalator or your coughing colleague's pen or computer mouse.
• To minimise exposure, avoid close or prolonged contact with people with colds or flu. With an incubation period of one to four days and a contagious period of seven days or longer, it’s best to avoid any person with flu for at least a week.
• There may be a role for vitamin A supplementation to prevent flu in malnourished children.
• Quit smoking. Those who smoke are more vulnerable to complications of respiratory infections.
• Clean surfaces – especially kitchen and bathroom counter tops – with disinfectant soap.
Your child:
• Discourage your child from sharing food, utensils, handkerchiefs, napkins and towels with classmates.
• Toys may be contaminated with respiratory secretions. Look for childcare centres where plastic toys are washed daily and stuffed toys washed weekly.
• Teach your children to wash their hands before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after touching their faces, after spending time in public spaces and after touching animals.
• Rather keep your toddler at home if a child at the crèche has the flu and yours is healthy. Similarly, keep your children at home if they show symptoms of flu, so that they don’t infect other children.
Vaccination
Although flu is generally not dangerous, it can cause serious complications and even death, especially in children, young adults, pregnant women, people with decreased immunity and other risk groups. That’s why you should rather avoid contracting this highly contagious disease, especially if you’re vulnerable.
Three strains of influenza are generally included in the annual flu vaccine. The specific strains depend on a prediction of what strains are likely to circulate in a given season. Note, however, that no vaccine is 100% effective. Factors within any individual or relating to the vaccine may cause the vaccine not to take or not to provide full protection.
Swine flu vaccination in Australia
In Australia, the 2014 seasonal influenza vaccine offered protection against the three strains of influenza which were most likely to circulate during the flu season. This included swine flu.
People who were entitled to free vaccines included:
- • Anyone 65 years of age and over
• All Indigenous people 15 years of age and over
• All pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy
• Anyone over 6 months of age with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe influenza.
• People with medical conditions that increase their risk of severe influenza. Medical conditions include:
o Cardiac disease
o Chronic respiratory conditions
o Chronic illnesses
o Chronic neurological condition
o People with impaired immunity and
• Children aged 6 months to 10 years having long-term aspirin therapy.
