Swine Flu: Here's all you need to know
Swine flu symptoms develop about one to three days after one is exposed to the virus and continue for about seven days.
What causes swine flu?Swine flu or H1N1 is part of the influenza A family of viruses. Influenza viruses infect the cells lining your nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters your body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer live virus from a contaminated surface to your eyes, nose or mouth.Though H1N1 is called swine flu, you can't catch swine flu from eating pork. The air-borne virus is harboured in pigs and spreads to human beings through animal-human interaction.
Symptoms: Swine flu symptoms develop about one to three days after one is exposed to the virus and continue for about seven days.
FeverCoughSore throatRunny or stuffy noseBody acheHeadacheChillsFatigueDiarrhoeaVomitingDos and Don'tsCover mouth and nose when you cough or sneezeWash your hands with soap or use sanitiserAvoid touching your nose, eyes and mouthDrink plenty of water and have nutritious foodSleep for 8 hours every nightAvoid handshakes/contact greetingsAvoid self-medicationHigh-risk groups are...Those younger than 5 years, particularly two-year-oldsThose aged 65 and abovePregnant women, including women who have had a miscarriageThose aged 19 or below, and those who are receiving long-term aspirin therapyThose who have certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma, emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disease, obesity, and kidney, liver or blood diseaseThose who are immuno-suppressed due to certain medications or HIVWhat you need to know1 in four people infected with H1N1 virus dies of complicationsIt mimics normal flu symptoms, with the patient beginning to have dry cough, fever, headache and throat irritation. Subsequently, the symptoms may worsen to cause breathlessnessIt spreads from one human being to another via air. When an infected person sneezes or coughs, micro droplets are liberated in the environment which may infect those who come in contact with the infected personBMC has issued a helpline number to counsel citizens on swine flu. Call on 022-24114000 for information