- Cough
- Congestion
- Nasal Congestion
- Body aches
- Joint Pains
- Fevers
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Decreased energy
- Rarely death
Precautionary measures you should take to prevent both seasonal flu and swine flu include:
- Washing your hands often with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
- Avoiding people who are ill.
- Staying home from work or school if you are sick.
- Using tissue when you cough, sneeze or spit, and dispose of the tissue in a covered trash bin.
- Keeping hands away from your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- leaning shared space more often such as phone receivers, keyboards, steering wheels and office equipment.
- Refraining from sharing personal items such as forks, spoons, toothbrushes and towels.
Transmission
The viral infection is transmitted to humans who are in contact with swine, although there are several cases of swine flu in people who had no known exposure to either infected people or pigs. Once the species barrier is crossed, human to human transmission can occur with casual contact or airborne transmission, like when one sneezes or coughs. Eating pork products will not cause one to develop the swine flu.
Treatment
Maintaining adequate hydration is very important if you contract any viral illness. The swine flu is diagnosed when a physician suspects infection, and sends a nasopharyngeal swab in a special viral collection container to a special lab to be tested. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. These medications can also be used for the usual avian influenza.
Swine Flu Vaccine
At this time, there is no vaccine available to help prevent the swine flu. If you did receive a flu vaccine this year, it will not offer you protection against the swine flu.
Talk to your physician if you have concerns or other questions regarding swine flu.