Q: Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

A: This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

Q: What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there?

A: Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1976. The virus caused disease with x-ray evidence of pneumonia in at least 4 soldiers and 1 death; all of these patients had previously been healthy. The virus was transmitted to close contacts in a basic training environment, with limited transmission outside the basic training group. The virus is thought to have circulated for a month and disappeared. The source of the virus, the exact time of its introduction into Fort Dix, and factors limiting its spread and duration are unknown. The Fort Dix outbreak may have been caused by introduction of an animal virus into a stressed human population in close contact in crowded facilities during the winter. The swine influenza A virus collected from a Fort Dix soldier was named A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1).

Q: Do pigs carry this virus and can I catch this virus from a pig?

A: At this time, there is no evidence that swine in the United States are infected with this new virus. However, there are flu viruses that commonly cause outbreaks of illness in pigs. Most of the time, these viruses do not infect people, but influenza viruses can spread back and forth between pigs and people.

Q: Can you catch swine flu by eating pork from an infected animal?

A: No. CDC and the World Health Organization have ruled out any risk of infection from eating pork.

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

A: The symptoms of this new influenza A H1N1 virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.  Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus. An updated case count of confirmed novel H1N1 flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/investigation.htm.

Q: What should I do if I feel sick?

A: According to health officials, people with ordinary flu symptoms don't need to seek emergency care. Health officials recommend seeking urgent medical help for children when flu symptoms also include difficulty breathing, bluish skin color, fever with rash, and symptoms that begin to improve then return with fever and a worse cough. In adults, serious warning signs include difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, dizziness, confusion and persistent vomiting.  Texas residents who believe they may have symptoms can call the State Department of Health Services at 1-888-777-5320.

Q: Are there medicines to treat infection with this new virus?

A: Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these new influenza A (H1N1) 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 also prevent serious flu complications. During the current outbreak, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during is to treat severe influenza illness.

Q: Does my flu shot protect against the swine flu?

A: The CDC says the seasonal flu vaccine is "unlikely to provide protection" against the swine flu. The agency has created a "seed vaccine" tailored to this swine flu. That could be used to manufacture a targeted vaccine if officials decide it's necessary, but development of a new vaccine to match the novel H1N1 influenza virus strain will take several months.

Q: The numbers of infected people are rising quickly. Is this a very infectious disease?

A: CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.  Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Q: How should I protect myself and my family?

A: If you have no symptoms, be preventive: Wash your hands often with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, and discard used tissues immediately. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you feel sick, stay home from work and school. Go to the hospital if you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.

If you know you have been exposed to swine flu, get lots of rest, and talk to your doctor about the antiviral drugs oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). These drugs may make the illness milder and work best if started within two days of getting sick.

Q: What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

A: If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill for 7 days or until your symptoms go away (whichever is longer). Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze with your hands if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

Q: How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?

A: CDC believes the incubation period for this virus is 7 days.  They recommend that individuals who are sick stay home from work or school for 7 days.  And, if still symptomatic on the seventh day, CDC recommends staying home for an additional 48 hours.

Q: What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

A: Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and warm water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. Health officials recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash 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 gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

Q. Where can I get more information?

A: Up-to-date information about the outbreak, government actions to address it, and what Americans can do to in their homes and communities to stay healthy and avoid catching the flu can be found at www.cdc.gov/swineflu.  Additional information is available from the Texas Department of State Health Services at www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu.

Web Resources on the H1N1 Influenza Virus

• Updated list of swine flu-related school school closures in Texas
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• World Health Organization
• Pandemicflu.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
• Pan American Health Organization
• Timeline of Flu Pandemics (National Institutes of Health)
• Center for Biosecurity
• FDA Patient Fact Sheets on Relenza and Tamiflu

The Texas Department of State Health Services has established a website that includes resources and recommendations on swine flu. The site can be accessed at:

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/swineflu/default.shtm

In addition to the website, the Department of State Health Services has made a telephone hotline available: 888.777.5320

Other useful links to information can be found at the websites established by the Governor's Division of Emergency Management and the Center for Disease Control:

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/sitrepindex.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/mitigation.htm