Updated May1, 2009 10:00am
Please call your health care provider
if you have concerns about swine influenza
If you have any respiratory symptoms and must visit a
NorDx patient service center, please practice hand hygiene and respiratory
etiquette and follow the safety guidelines attached. If you have a fever and cough, let us
know. You may be asked to put on a
surgical mask to help protect others. If
you can't wear a mask, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough
or sneeze. These steps are for the
protection of our customers and employees and your cooperation is greatly
appreciated. Tissue,
masks and hand sanitizer will be available for patient use at all of our
patient service center sites.
Is it a Cold or the Flu?
|
Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
|
Fever |
Rare in adults and
older children, but can be as high as 102º F in infants and small children |
Usually 102º F, but
can go up to 104º F and usually last 3 to 4 days |
|
Headache |
Rare |
Sudden onset and
can be severe |
|
Muscle Aches |
Mild |
Usual, and often
severe |
|
Tiredness and Weakness |
Mild |
Often Extreme, and
can last two or more weeks |
|
Extreme Exhaustion |
Never |
Sudden onset and
can be severe |
|
Runny Nose |
Often |
Sometimes |
|
Sneezing |
Often |
Sometimes |
|
Sore Throat |
Often |
Sometimes |
|
Cough |
Mild hacking cough |
Usual, and can
become severe |
§
People with respiratory illness should stay home from
work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in
the community.
§
Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or
otherwise appear ill.
§
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
§
Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of
respiratory illness.
Additional information regarding swine influenza may
be found at:
*Maine CDC website: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/index.shtml
*CDC's website has updated
national information and guidance at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
Swine Influenza
and You
Why are some
people wearing masks? We’re taking precautions for patients and staff. Any
patients with symptoms that may be contagious to others have been asked to wear
masks to keep germs from spreading. These symptoms may not be related to swine
flu. Some staff may be exposed to germs before their patients are screened so
we ask them to wear masks.
What is
swine flu? Swine influenza is a common respiratory
disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses.
People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.
Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person to person.
Are there human
infections with swine flu in the
Is this swine flu virus
contagious? CDC has determined that this virus is
contagious and is spreading from human to human. It is not known how easily the
virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and
symptoms of swine flu in people? They are similar to the symptoms of
regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache,
chills and fatigue. Some people have diarrhea and vomiting associated with
swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and
deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people.
How does swine flu
spread? Spread of this virus happens the same way
seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly through coughing or
sneezing of people. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something
with flu viruses on it, then touching their mouth or nose.
How can someone with the
flu infect someone else? Infected people may be able to infect
others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after
becoming sick. That means you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else
before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
What should I do to keep
from getting the flu? First and most important: wash
your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be
physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat
nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu
virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Are there medicines to
treat swine flu? CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or
zanamivir for the treatment of infection with these swine influenza viruses.
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that
fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If
you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel
better faster. They may prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, these
drugs work best if started within 2 days of symptom onset.
How long can an infected
person spread swine flu to others? People are considered potentially
contagious as long as they have symptoms and possibly for up to 7 days after
onset of the illness. Children could be contagious for longer periods.
What surfaces are most
likely to be sources of contamination? Germs can be spread when a person touches
something contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or
mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the
air.
How long can viruses live
outside the body? We know that some viruses and bacteria can
live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.
Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination
from these common surfaces.
What can I do to protect
myself from getting sick? There is no vaccine right now to protect
against swine flu. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when
you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water,
especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also
effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, CDC
recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with
others to keep from infecting them.
What is the best way to
keep from spreading the virus? Follow the steps above.
What is the best technique
for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Wash your
hands often. Use soap and water, or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. We
recommend you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- for 15 to 20
seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand
wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and
drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The alcohol in
the gel kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get
sick? If you live in areas where swine influenza cases
have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including
fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea,
you should call your health care provider if you are worried about your
symptoms. Your health care provider will decide if influenza testing or
treatment is needed.
·
If
you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with other people to keep from
spreading your illness.
·
If
you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek
emergency medical care.
·
In
children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not
want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return
with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
·
In
adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
Can I get swine influenza
from eating or preparing pork? No, this virus is not spread by food.
Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.