Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory illness caused by influenza type A viruses that normally circulate in pigs. The flu viruses that circulate in pigs are not the same as the flu viruses that typically circulate in people. While uncommon, human infections with swine influenza can happen. When a swine influenza virus infects a person it is known as a variant influenza virus.
Symptoms
People that are infected with swine flu have similar symptoms to seasonal flu infection. Signs and symptoms of swine flu variant infection include:
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Lack of appetite
- Coughing
- Other, less common, symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, eye irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea
Transmission:
People may become infected with a variant influenza virus through contact with respiratory droplets from a sick pig, coughing or sneezing. People can come into contact with respiratory droplets from sick pigs at agricultural fairs or swine farms. A person can become infected if the respiratory droplets from a sick pig come into contact with their nose, mouth, or are inhaled. You can not become infected with a swine influenza virus from eating properly handled and prepared pork. Person to person transmission with a variant influenza virus is rare.
Prevention:
Seasonal influenza vaccines do not protect against infection with swine influenza viruses, although it will help prevent the spread of human influenza A viruses to pigs and co-infection with a swine and human influenza type A virus. Certain everyday preventative measures can help prevent the spread of influenza type A viruses between pigs and people.
- Avoid contact with pigs that are ill.
- If you are ill or experiencing flu-like symptoms, avoid coming into contact with pigs until 7 days have passed since your symptoms started or you have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medicines.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after contact with pigs or use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water is not available.
- If you are an animal caretaker and you or your pigs are ill, take precautions such as wearing personal protective equipment and washing your hands after removing your gloves.
If you develop flu-like illness after contact with sick pigs, talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and let them know about your exposure to pigs. Your healthcare provider can coordinate testing for variant influenza viruses with the local health department and may prescribe antiviral medications for you to take. If you develop flu-like symptoms after exposure to sick pigs, stay home from school and work, and distance yourself from other people for the 7 days after your symptoms started or until you are fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication.