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What is it?

Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, pig flu and sometimes, the swine) is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs.[2] As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.

Swine influenza virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood. If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses no risk of infection when properly cooked.

Symptoms

Symptoms of zoonotic swine flu in humans are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. The recommended time of isolation is about five days.

Prevention

The Public Health Agency advises Canadians to:

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer.
• Keep your hands away from your face.
• Cough and sneeze into your arm, not your hand. If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands.
• Get immunized.
• Keep common surface areas—for example, doorknobs, light switches, telephones and keyboards—clean and disinfected.
• Eat healthy foods and stay physically active to keep your immune system strong.
• Keep doing what you normally do, but if you get sick, stay home.
• Check www.fightflu.ca for more information.
• Check www.voyage.gc.ca for travel notices and advisories.

 

SOURCES: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_A_virus_subtype_H1N1

                 http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/fs-fr_h1n1-eng.php