Swine Flu chat

Swine flu has not yet been proven to be a serious enough virus to declare this to be a pandemic, but nations around the globe are discouraging travel to USA and Mexico.

Do you have swine flu?
Just how dangerous is this virus?
How can you protect yourself?
How can you stay healthy?

Come ask these questions and more from a physician on the front lines, treating folks coming back from Mexico with upper respiratory illnesses that match the CDC's protocols for treating suspected swine flu patients.

The CDC has issued a travel advisory against non-essential travel to Mexico.

Q: Are there natural foods and supplements that could help lessen the likelihood of obtaining the flu?

A: No foods nor supplements have been proven to decrease/inscrease likeliness of getting the flu/swine flu. Only social distancing.

Q: How do you distinguish between cold and swine flu?

A: Similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever or 100 F degrees or more, 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.


Q: If we become overrun with cases are there enough of the antivirals for every man woman and child?

A: No, there is not enough for every one, and not everyone has to take it. Only those found to be a probable or suspect case. 5 Million doses have been released from the national stockpile. That is enough for the current needs.


Q: How does swine flu infect humans

A: 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.

Q: Is it worth spending the money now, and buying a personal course of Tamiflu to keep in stock?

A: No, it's unethical to use it when someone more needy should get it. You wouldn't know when to take it anyways.

Q: What is the treatment for swine flu currently?

A: If in the first 48 hours of symptoms Tamiflu or Relenza. If complications, then treat the complications e.g. pneumonia requires antibiotics

Q: What are the best mask to get for this swine flu?

A: A properly fit-tested N95 mask is the best. Dispose of when moist. Try a surgical supply store

Q: Can Tamiflu actually help with swine flu?

A: Tamiflu or Relenza is believed to stop the replication of the virus and limiting further spread in your body. That's why it has to be taken in the 1st 48 hours

Q: Would Lysol spray help to kill the swine virus on contact, and in the air

A: LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray (EPA Reg No 777-72) and Professional LYSOL® Disinfectant Spray (EPA Reg No 777-72-625) is EPA registered and effective against: Influenza A2 and B. But it hasn't been tested against H1N1.

Q: How can you protect you becase really you don't know if he/she has the normal flu or the other one

A: Swine flu or not, stay away from folks who cough and sneeze!

Q: Is this swine flu something really really serious or something dramatized by the media?

A: We can't say how serious it is yet. Only 1 of 91 cases died in USA so far. Health officials expect more deaths, if we parallel Mexico's experience. It's not understood why less USA patients have gotten more severely ill. Immunocompromized pateints should follow their local health advisories.

Q: If you have come in contact with someone who could have the virus, how long does it take to see symptoms?

A: it varies from 2 to 7 days

Q: Don't all flu's develop from swine and ducks in Asia?

A: This particular strain H1N1 mutated from a pig influenza virus.

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Steps to Lessen the Spread of Flu in the Home

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

• keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible (see “placement of the sick person at home”)
• remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.
• have everyone in the household clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• ask your healthcare provider if household contacts of the sick person—particularly those contacts who may have chronic health conditions—should take antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) to prevent the flu.
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