Soalan-Soalan Penting Tentang Selsema Babi (Swine Flu)
Penyakit selsema babi merupakan satu penyakit baru
yang muncul pertama kali di negara Mexico, ia dikatakan telah memasuki
negara Thailand dan Singapura. Berikut ialah soalan soalan penting
tentang selsema babi ini yang patut kita ambil perhatian di dalam
mencegah wabak yang membawa maut ini.
What is Swine Influenza?Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.
How many swine flu viruses are there?Like all
influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be
infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine
influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect
pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that
are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge.
Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged.
At this time, there are 4 main influenza type A virus subtypes that have
been isolated in pigs : H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of
the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 virusesCan humans catch swine flu?Swine
flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human
infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases
occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs
at a fair or workers in the swine industry).
In addition, there have
been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For
example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in
Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although
no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus
transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close
contact with the patient.In short, spread of swine flu can occur in 2
ways :* Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated
with swine flu viruses.* Through contact with a person with swine flu.
Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is
thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought
to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of
infected people.How common is swine flu infection in humans?In
the past, approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every
one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February
2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been
reported.What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?The
symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the
symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever,
lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also
have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not
get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly
handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an
internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other
bacteria and viruses.
How does swine flu spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and
from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are
most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected
pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs.
Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is
thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which
is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of
people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by
touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth
or nose.
What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu?
In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman
was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu
virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a
county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like
illness among the swine.
In follow-up studies, 76% of swine exhibitors tested had antibody
evidence of swine flu infection but no serious illnesses were detected
among this group. Additional studies suggest that 1 to 3 health care
personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like
illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.
What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there?
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).
Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?
No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from
human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would
not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.
How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?
To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would
generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness
(when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However,
some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer.
Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the
specimen to laboratory.
What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?
There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza : amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir.
While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four
drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are
resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, it is recommended
the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention
of infection with 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 be 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 can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
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.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
What should I do if I get sick?
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
* 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
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
How does swine flu spread among pigs?
Swine flu viruses are thought to be spread mostly through close
contact among pigs and possibly from contaminated objects moving between
infected and uninfected pigs. Herds with continuous swine flu
infections and herds that are vaccinated against swine flu may have
sporadic disease, or may show only mild or no symptoms of infection.
What are signs of swine flu in pigs?
Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever,
depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes,
sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going
off feed.
How common is swine flu among pigs?
H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in the United States and something that the industry deals with routinely. Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Studies have shown that the swine flu H1N1 is common throughout pig populations worldwide, with 25 percent of animals showing antibody evidence of infection. In the U.S. studies have shown that 30 percent of the pig population has antibody evidence of having had H1N1 infection. More specifically, 51 percent of pigs in the north-central U.S. have been shown to have antibody evidence of infection with swine H1N1. Human infections with swine flu H1N1 viruses are rare. There is currently no way to differentiate antibody produced in response to flu vaccination in pigs from antibody made in response to pig infections with swine H1N1 influenza.
H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in the United States and something that the industry deals with routinely. Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Studies have shown that the swine flu H1N1 is common throughout pig populations worldwide, with 25 percent of animals showing antibody evidence of infection. In the U.S. studies have shown that 30 percent of the pig population has antibody evidence of having had H1N1 infection. More specifically, 51 percent of pigs in the north-central U.S. have been shown to have antibody evidence of infection with swine H1N1. Human infections with swine flu H1N1 viruses are rare. There is currently no way to differentiate antibody produced in response to flu vaccination in pigs from antibody made in response to pig infections with swine H1N1 influenza.
While H1N1 swine viruses have been known to circulate among pig
populations since at least 1930, H3N2 influenza viruses did not begin
circulating among US pigs until 1998. The H3N2 viruses initially were
introduced into the pig population from humans. The current swine flu
H3N2 viruses are closely related to human H3N2 viruses.
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.
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