Swine flu is an illness of the lungs.
swine flu
It is called swine flu because it is a bit like an illness that pigs can get. (Swine is another word for pigs.)
At the moment we do not think that swine flu is spreading among pigs. Swine flu is caused by a virus. A virus is a sort of germ which makes people ill. The swine flu virus is spreading among people.
How is swine flu different from ordinary flu?
If a lot of people catch swine flu it could lead to a pandemic flu outbreak. Pandemic means across the world. An outbreak is when a large number of people get a disease very quickly.
Everyone is at risk of catching swine flu. This means healthy adults as well as older people, young children and people with other illnesses.
The World Health Organization keeps an eye on people’s health. It is watching carefully to see whether swine flu will turn into a pandemic flu outbreak.
How does swine flu spread?
Flu is spread through the droplets that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. If you don’t, other people might breathe in the droplets and catch the flu.
• If you cough or sneeze into your hand it is easy to spread the virus from your hand onto things you touch.
After you have coughed or sneezed into a tissue, bin the tissue and always wash your hands with soap and water. If you have a special gel, then you can use this too.
Swine flu can spread from man to man
The virus can live for quite a long time on hard things like:
• door handles
• computer keyboards
• mobile and ordinary phones
• TV remote controls.
If other people then touch these things the virus can get into their bodies and they can catch flu.
How will I know if I have got swine flu?
Doctors and nurses sometimes call these symptoms, they show you are ill:
• suddenly feeling hot or cold. This is a fever.
• a cough, feeling short of breath.
Other symptoms can be:
• headache
• sore throat
• being tired
• aching muscles
• chills
• sneezing
• runny nose
• not feeling hungr
• diarrhoea
• vommitting
What can I do to help stop me and other people getting flu?
The best thing you can do to help stop yourself and other people from getting flu is to be careful not to spread the virus.
So, use mask outside your home and avoid crowded place.
get protection
When you cough or sneeze it is very important that you:
• always carry tissues with you
• use a clean tissue to cover your mouth and nose every time you cough or sneeze – catch it
• bin the tissues after one use – bin it
• wash your hands often with soap and hot water or a special gel – kill it.
Remember: Catch it, bin it, kill it.
Keep up to date with the latest information
If swine flu spreads, you need to know what is happening so that you know what to do to help stop you and your family getting flu.
As things change, you should:
• watch TV
• listen to the radio
• check on the internet
• look out for information in the newspapers and
• follow the advice you are given.
What should I do if I think I might have swine flu?
You should:
• stay at home
• call your doctor.
Fahima Ali