How to Protect Against Swine Flu: A Guide
Swine flu – who is at risk? How does it spread? What are the initial symptoms? What is the treatment method? Should you get vaccinated? All the answers are here.
Following the outbreak of swine flu in Israel, here is a guide answering the pressing questions: How is it contracted? How to avoid it? Is there a treatment? Should you get vaccinated?
1. The swine flu virus is contagious like other flu viruses. The viruses are transmitted through saliva droplets, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, or direct contact with a sick person or pig.
2. The initial symptoms of the disease are: high fever, weakness, muscle aches, sometimes cough or sore throat. In most cases, it's a severe respiratory disease accompanied by fever.
3. Accurate identification of whether it's regular flu or swine flu can only be obtained through lab tests using throat and nasal swabs.
4. The medication "Tamiflu" appears to be effective. A patient suspected of having the virus according to the symptoms begins immediate treatment with "Tamiflu" for 5 days, even without a lab test.
5. Flu vaccination also protects against swine flu. Over a million Israelis have already been vaccinated this year. The vaccination protects for about 9 months to a year, and therefore, one should get vaccinated annually.
(Photo illustration: shutterstock)6. Populations at risk: Pregnant women and women in the first 4 weeks postpartum are at risk of contracting swine flu. During pregnancy, a woman's immune system is naturally suppressed, making her more susceptible to illness.
Most pregnant women who contract the disease will experience mild symptoms but are at increased risk of developing complications compared to the general population.
7. Complications: Swine flu can lead to pneumonia complications. Without early diagnosis and treatment, pneumonia may worsen into respiratory failure. This infection may also have accompanying infections requiring "Tamiflu" treatment as well as intravenous antibiotics.
8. Precautionary measures: Recommendations for the general population to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting H1N1 flu include:
- Washing hands frequently with lukewarm water and soap.
- Clean surfaces such as door handles, work tables, kitchen surfaces with household cleaners.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Dispose of the disposable tissue immediately after use.
