What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.  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, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (HIN1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas.  Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well.  An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.
Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.  However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  Some people have reported 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.  Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (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 of people with influenza.  Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and 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 that 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 touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.  Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes.  CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention 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 also prevent serious flu complications.  For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should he considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset.  Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is 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.  Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth, or nose before washing their hands.
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 hand washing 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 available right now to protect against swine flu.  There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.  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 through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible.  Do not go to work or school if ill.  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 if you do not have a tissue.  Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.  Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.  We 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 he 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.
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 may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms.  Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
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

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.  Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring.  However, swine flu infection can be serious.  In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later.  A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No.  Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food.  You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.  Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

La influenza porcina y usted (gripe porcina)

• Por el contacto con cerdos infectados o con superficies contaminadas con los virus de la influenza porcina.
• A través del contacto con una persona que tenga influenza porcine.  Es probable que la transmisión de la influenza porcina entre las personas ocurra de la misma forma en que se transmite la influenza estacional.
• Se cree que los nuevos virus de la influenza porcina y los de la influenza estacional se transmiten de persona a persona cuando alguien infectado tose o estornuda.

¿Hay medicamentos para tratar Ia influenza porcina?
Los CDC recomiendan dos medicamentos antivirales que se expiden con receta médica para tratar o prevenir la influenza porcina.  Estos medicamentos son oseltamivir (nombre comercial Tamiflu®) o zanamivir (nombre comercial Relenza®).  Ambos medicamentos recetados combaten la influenza porcina al evitar que los virus de esta enfermedad se reproduzcan en el cuerpo.  Si usted se enferma, estos medicamentos pueden hacer que su enfermedad sea más leve y que usted se sienta mejor en forma más rápida.  Tambien pueden ayudar a prevenir que ocurran graves problemas de salud.  En relación con el tratamiento, los medicamentos son más eficaces si se inician dentro de los 2 dias siguientes a la aparición de la enfermedad.
¿Por cuánto tiempo puede una persona infectada propagar la influenza porcina a otras?
Las personas infectadas por el virus de la influenza porcina pueden transmitir la enfermedad mientras tengan los síntomas (fiebre, tos, dolor de garganta, dolores en el cuerpo, dolor de cabeza, escalofrios y cansancio, y en algunos casos diarrea y vómito) y posiblemente haste siete días después del inicio de la enfermedad.  Los niños, especialmente los más pequeños, podrían ser contagiosos durante periodos más largos.
¿Qué puedo hacer para evitar enfermarme?
En este momenta no hay una vacuna contra la influenza porcina.  Pero hay medidas clue usted puede tomar para ayudar a prevenir la propagación de gérmenes que causan enfermedades respiratorias como la influenza porcina y la influenza estacional.  Siga estas medidas a diario para proteger su salud:

• Cúbrase la boca y la nariz con un parñuelo desechable al toser o estornudar.  Bote el pañuelo desechable a la basura después de usarlo.
• Lávese las manos a menudo con agua y jabón, especialmente después de toser a estornudar.  Los desinfectantes para manos a base de alcohol también son eficaces.
• Trate de no tocarse los ojos, la nariz ni la boca.  Esta es la manera en que se propagan los gérmenes.
• Trate de evitar el contacto cercano con personas enfermas.
• Si usted se enferma, los CDC recomiendan que se quede en casa y que no vaya al trabajo o a la escuela.  No se acerque mucho a otras personas para evitar contagiarlas.

¿Qué debo hacer si me enfermo?
Comuníquese con su proveedor de atención médica si usted vive en un área donde se hayan identificado casos de infecciones por influenza porcina en personas y se enferma con síntomas parecidos a los de la influenza (entre ellos, fiebre, dolor del cuerpo, secreciones de la nariz, dolor de garganta, náusea o vómito o diarrea).  El proveedor de atención medica decicirá si hace falta realizar pruebas para detectar la influenza o si necesita que le hagan tratamiento.
Si esta enfermo, se debe quedar en casa y evitar el contacto con otras personas tanto como sea posible para evitar propagar su enfermedad a otros.
Si se enferma y presenta alguno de los siguientes signos de advertencia, busque atención médica de inmediata.
En los niños, los principales signos de emergencia que requieren atención médica inmediata son:

• Respiración agitada o dificultad para respirar.
• Color azulado on la piel.
• Que el niño no esté tomando suficientes líquidos.
• El niño no quiere despertarse ni interactuar con los otros.
• Que el niño esté tan molesto que no quiera que lo carguen.
• Los síntomas similares a los de la influenza o gripe mejoran pero luego regresan con fiebre y una tos peor.
• Fiebre con sarpullido.

En los adultos, los principales signos de advertencia que requieren atención médica de emergencia son:

• Dificultad para respirar o se queda sin aliento.
• Dolor o presión en el pecho o el abdomen.
• Mareo repentino.
• Confusión.
• Vómitos fuertes o constantes.

¿Me puede dar influenza porcina por comer o cocinar carne de cerdo?
No.  La influenza porcina no se encuentra en los alimentos.  Usted no puede contraer la influenza porcina por comer carn de cerdo o sus productos derivados.  No hay riesgos si se come carne de cerdo y sus derivados que han sido manipulados y cocinados de manera adecuada.