Seasonal influenza and swine flu information

What is seasonal influenza?
Influenza occurs most often in winter and usually peaks between December and March in the northern hemisphere. Illnesses resembling influenza that occur in the summer are usually due to other viruses.

The influenza virus was first identified in 1933. There are two main types that cause infection: influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A usually causes a more severe illness than influenza B.  The influenza virus is unstable and new strains and variants are constantly emerging, which is one of the reasons why the flu vaccine should be given each year.

For most people influenza infection is just a nasty experience, but for some it can lead to more serious illnesses. The most common complications of influenza are bronchitis and secondary bacterial pneumonia. These illnesses may require treatment in hospital and can be life threatening especially in the elderly, asthmatics and those in poor health.

Following the influenza pandemic in 2009, one of the circulating influenza strains of the 2010/2011 flu season is the H1N1 (swine flu) strain.

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is the common name given to a relatively new strain of influenza (flu) that caused a flu pandemic in 2009/2010.
On 10^th August 2010, the World Health Organisation declared that the H1N1 influenza pandemic was officially over.
However, it is important not to ignore the H1N1 virus as it will be one of the main flu viruses circulating this winter (2010).
To reflect this, the H1N1 virus has been added to the 2010/2011 seasonal influenza vaccine.

Who is as risk from swine flu?
Those at higher risk include those with long-term lung, kidney, neurological, liver or heart disease; children under five; people over 65; those with diabetes mellitus; the immunosuppressed (whether caused by disease or treatment); patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years and pregnant women.
Although this disease is generally mild in most people so far, it is proving severe in a small minority of cases.

Symptoms of swine flu include:
Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Aching muscles
Headache
Runny nose
Sore throat
Cough or shortness of breath
Vomiting or diarrhoea

How do I catch swine flu?
The virus is contagious and can spread between people, although it is not known how easily. Transmission is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu:

• large droplets from coughing and/or sneezing by an infected person within a short distance (usually 1 metre or less) of someone 
• touching or shaking the hand of an infected person and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands 
• touching surfaces or objects (eg door handles) that have become contaminated with the flu virus and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands.

Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food. There is no risk of catching the illness from handling and/or eating pork or pork products.

Can swine flu be treated?
The swine flu virus can be treated with antiviral medication called oseltamavir (Tamiflu®), which reduces the development of the virus and lessens the symptoms. Antiviral medication does not cure the infection, but reduces how long symptoms last. It should be taken as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours of the infection starting.

What measures can I take to reduce the chance of catching swine flu?
General hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the swine flu virus. This includes:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people
• Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product