Swine flu can be transmitted from person to person
When a woman was admitted to a local hospital and allegedly diagnosed with swine flu, it raised concern among the community on the danger of the virus.
National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) spokesman Nombuso Shabalala explains Influenza A(H1N1) pdm09 is sometimes referred to as swine flu.
Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs.
It was referred to as swine flu when it was first detected in 2009, because the virus was similar to those found in pigs.
It is transmitted from person to person by inhalation or ingestion of droplets containing the virus from people sneezing or coughing, but isn’t transmitted by eating cooked pork products.
Symptoms include fever, body pains, coughing, a sore throat, runny nose and headaches.
Nombusa says in general, about 90% to 95% of people who get the virus feel terrible, but recover with no problems.
Any person with a weakened immune system, however, including pregnant women, may be particularly vulnerable to the disease.
It can cause serious illness in some people, leading to hospitalisation and even death.
Anyone with a heart condition, lung or kidney disease or nervous system disorders can also be infected.
Because influenza is highly contagious, Nombuso says it can be spread by respiratory droplets from sneezing and coughing, by touching surfaces other people have touched and touching other people.
Prevention
* Wash hands regularly
* Maintain cough hygiene
* Avoid contact with people who are ill
“Influenza viruses are always changing and it is therefore necessary to vaccinate early to provide for winter,” says Nombuso.
Influenza vaccine, which is an inactivated virus and not a live virus, cannot prevent all cases of influenza, but is the best defence available against the virus.
