Dr. Randy Martin Answers Your Swine Flu Questions

Dr. Randy Martin: Swine Flu, or Swine Influenza, is a contagious respiratory disease that is caused by a Type A Influenza Virus and is common in the swine industry, especially in the winter months. And, normally, it does not infect humans, although it can in those who are in close contact to swine. Up until this most recent infection, there were rare cases of Swine Flu infecting humans, but now it appears that this Influenza A (with the formal name of H1N1) has mutated, such that it contains both a mix of the human and swine types of viral material and is now able to be passed human-to-human.

Why is it more serious to citizens of Mexico?

Dr. Randy Martin: Nobody knows. It appears those who are most at risk, and have had the most deaths in Mexico are not the characteristic ones we worry about with the seasonal flu - the old, the young, and those with compromised Immune Systems.

How does it spread?

Dr. Randy Martin: As with Seasonal Flu, it is a contagious virus that spreads person-to-person through airborne droplets, meaning by coughing and sneezing. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus is propelled into the air (with sneezing, it can go anywhere from 3 to 100 feet at up to 100 miles per hour). Another person can then become infected by either breathing in those viral droplets or by touching a surface where the virus has landed (and those viruses can live for days on those surfaces) and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.

The incubation period can be anywhere from 1 to 7 days, although most people say it’s 2 to 3 days.

What are the symptoms?

Dr. Randy Martin: Remember that you are really sick, because you have:

--Sudden onset of high fever - generally greater than 104°

--Chills

--Headaches

--Marked muscle aches

--A cough that is severe and can last longer than the other symptoms.

Interestingly, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have been seen in children in the U.S. with Swine Flu.

Can the current Flu Vaccine protect against the Swine Flu?

Dr. Randy Martin: It depends upon who you listen to, but most experts have said that there is not a substantial amount of protection from the current Seasonal Flu Vaccine. However, I did have a conversation with Dr. Carlos Del Rio, who’s an Infectious Disease expert on the Faculty at Emory and with the CDC, and he reported that he knew of one hospital in Mexico that had seen 80 confirmed cases of Swine Flu, with 14 people, unfortunately, dying. All of those deaths were in people who had not been vaccinated against the Seasonal Flu. So while most feel that being vaccinated against Seasonal Flu may not prevent the Swine Flu, it may have some benefit, in that your Immune System may be better able to protect you from the serious consequences. But this has not been proven.

How do you prevent it?

1. Obviously, cover up your mouth when you cough or sneeze.

2. Wash your hands as frequently as possible. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaner frequently.

3. This is probably not the time to kiss or hug a lot of friends or strangers.

4. If you think you’re sick, contact your doctor right away, so they can:

a. Test to make sure that you do or do not have Swine flu, and

b. potentially give you Anti-virals that might decrease the severity of the attack.

5. If you think you are sick, stay home. This especially pertains to children going to school or you going to the office.

6. Interestingly, now is the time to give up smoking, because smoking damages your respiratory tract and may make you more vulnerable to becoming infected with flu viruses.

What about Anti-viral medications?

Dr. Randy Martin: The Swine Flu appears to be sensitive to 2 of the Anti-viral medicines.

Specifically, Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which is a pill taken by mouth, and Relenza (zanamivir), which is an inhaled substance. Once somebody develops the flu, taking these may decrease the severity, the duration that you have the flu, and may, in some part, aid in preventing you from infecting others.

How long is somebody infectious?

Dr. Randy Martin: The infectious period is defined as 1 day prior to the onset of illness or 7 days after the onset.

Special Consideration for Children: Aspirin or aspiring-containing products should not be given to expected cases of Swine Flu in anyone 18 years old or less due to a risk for Reye's Syndrome.