CHENNAI: As concern about the H1N1 flu continues to abound, the state school

education department has made arrangements to disseminate information

about how to keep the infection at bay. A new section named swine flu alert' on the
website of the department, www.pallikalvi.in, provides comprehensive material about the
flu. Authorities said that since the website of the Tamil Nadu health and family welfare
department was not functional, the step could prove useful to the public seeking relevant
information.

"We have recently sent a circular to all chief education officers (CEOs) in the districts
across the state, directing them to organise an orientation and training programme for
school heads on the precautions that can be taken. The new section on the website will
provide schoolteachers and heads with more information," said P Perumalsamy, director
of school education.

The swine flu alert' section is linked to a micro-site on influenza A (H1N1) hosted by the
Union ministry of health and family welfare. It contains an advisory on several aspects
relating to prevention of the spread of infection, including a list of dos and dont's,
guidelines for schools, colleges and institutions, a travel advisory for the public and
details about state control rooms and nodal officers.

The section also contains links to relevant press releases from the state government, alerts
from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention, an Atlanta-based organisation that provides health information.

"We are constantly monitoring the situation and have seen the information on the website.
It is useful for teachers and parents who are looking to update their knowledge about
H1N1 flu. We have put up a list of guidelines, from students' parents who are doctors, on
the notice board. Our principal has announced a list of dos and dont's to children on the
public address system and we have emailed all parents," said S Meenakshi, vice-
principal, Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School, Adyar.

karthika.gopalakrishnan@timesgroup.com
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What is swine flu?

Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren't the same as human
flu viruses. Swine flu doesn't often infect people, and the rare human cases that have
occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But
the current "swine flu" outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has
changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person -- and it's happening
among people who haven't had any contact with pigs.
That makes it a human flu virus. To distinguish it both from flu viruses that infect mainly
pigs and from the seasonal influenza A H1N1 viruses that have been in circulation for
many years, the CDC calls the virus "novel influenza A (H1N1) virus" and the World
Health Organization calls it "pandemic (H1N1) 2009." The CDC calls swine flu illness
"H1N1 flu" and the World Health Organization calls it "pandemic influenza A (H1N1)."

What are swine flu symptoms?

Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore
throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Many people with swine flu
have had diarrhea and vomiting. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these
symptoms. But these symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions. That means
that you and your doctor can't know, just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine
flu. Health care professionals may offer a rapid flu test, although a negative result doesn't
necessarily mean you don't have the flu.
Like seasonal flu, pandemic swine flu can cause neurologic symptoms in children. These
events are rare, but, as cases associated with seasonal flu have shown, they can be very
severe and often fatal. Symptoms include seizures or changes in mental status (confusion
or sudden cognitive or behavioral changes). It's not clear why these symptoms occur,
although they may be caused by Reye's syndrome. Reye's syndrome usually occurs in
children with a viral illness who have taken aspirin -- something that should always be
avoided.
Only lab tests can definitively show whether you've got swine flu. State health
departments can do these tests. But given the large volume of samples coming in to state
labs, these tests are being reserved for patients with severe flu symptoms. Currently,
doctors are reserving antiviral drugs for people with or at risk of severe influenza.

Who is at highest risk from H1N1 swine flu?

Most U.S. cases of H1N1 swine flu have been in older children and young adults. It's not
clear why, and it's not clear whether this will change.
But certain groups are at particularly high risk of severe disease or bad outcomes if they
get the flu:

• Young children, especially those under 12 months of age

• Elderly people are at high risk of severe flu disease. But relatively few swine flu
cases have been seen in people over age 65.

• People with cardiovascular conditions (except high blood pressure)

 • People with liver problems

• Kidney problems

• People with blood disorders, including sickle cell disease

• People with neurologic disorders

• People with neuromuscular disorders

• People with metabolic disorders, including diabetes

• People with immune suppression, including HIV infection and medications that
suppress the immune system, such as cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs
for transplants

• Residents of a nursing home or other chronic-care facility

People in these groups should seek medical care as soon as they get flu symptoms.
A striking number of adults who developed severe swine flu complications have been
morbidly obese. However, obesity itself does not seem to be the issue. The vast majority
of extremely obese people suffer respiratory problems and/or diabetes, which seem to be
the underlying reason for their severe flu complications.

If I think I have swine flu, what should I do? When should I see my
doctor?
If you have flu symptoms, stay home, and when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth
and nose with a tissue. Afterward, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. That
will help prevent your flu from spreading
If you have only mild flu symptoms, you do not need medical attention unless your
illness gets worse. But if you are in one of the groups at high risk of severe disease,
contact your doctor at the first sign of flu-like illness. In such cases, the CDC
recommends that people call or email their doctor before rushing to an emergency room.
But there are emergency warning signs.
Children should be given urgent medical attention if they:

• Have fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Have bluish or gray skin color

• Are not drinking enough fluid

• Are not waking up or not interacting

• Have severe or persistent vomiting

 • Are so irritable that the child does not want to be held

• Have flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and a worse
cough

• Have fever with a rash

• Have a fever and then have a seizure or sudden mental or behavioral change.

Adults should seek urgent medical attention if they have:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

• Flu-like symptoms that improve, but then come back with worsening fever or
cough
Keep in mind that your doctor will not be able to determine whether you have swine flu,
but he or she may take a sample from you and send it to a state health department lab for
testing to see if it's swine flu. If your doctor suspects swine flu, he or she would be able to
write you a prescription for Tamiflu or Relenza.
These antiviral medications aren't a question of life or death for the vast majority of
people. Most U.S. swine flu patients have made a full recovery without antiviral drugs.

How does swine flu spread? Is it airborne?

The new swine flu virus apparently spreads just like regular flu. You could pick up germs
directly from droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person, or by touching an
object they recently touched, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose, delivering
their germs for your own infection. That's why you should make washing your hands a
habit, even when you're not ill. Infected people can start spreading flu germs up to a day
before symptoms start, and for up to seven days after getting sick, according to the CDC.
The swine flu virus can become airborne if you cough or sneeze without covering your
nose and mouth, sending germs into the air. Ferret studies suggest that swine flu spreads
less easily by small, airborne droplets than does seasonal flu. But it does spread by this
route, and it may begin to spread even more readily as the new virus fully adapts to
humans.
The new swine flu virus is a human virus spread by people and not by pigs. The only way
to get the new swine flu is from another person.
How is swine flu treated?
Pandemic swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. The
CDC recommends those drugs to prevent or treat swine flu; the drugs are most effective
when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. But not everyone needs those
drugs. Most people who have come down with swine flu have recovered without
treatment. The federal government has replenished state stockpiles of Tamiflu and
Relenza in preparation for the fall flu season. Health officials have asked people not to
hoard Tamiflu or Relenza.
Tamiflu or Relenza may also be used to prevent swine flu. The CDC recommends this
"can be considered" for people at high risk of severe flu illness who come into close
contact with someone who has the flu.

Is there a vaccine against the new swine flu virus?

Not yet. But vaccines are being made in large quantities. Clinical tests will begin in
August 2009. Depending on how long federal officials wait for the results of these tests,
tens of millions of doses of swine flu vaccine could be ready as soon as September 2009,
with more vaccine becoming available each month thereafter.
Even if officials decide to make a swine flu vaccine for this winter, many questions
remain. It's not yet clear whether people will need one or two shots or whether an
immune-boosting substance called adjuvant will have to be used.
The first doses of vaccine likely will go to critically important workers such as first
responders and essential military personnel. Also likely to be at the front of the line are
pregnant women and young children ages 6 months to 4 years, with older school kids to
follow.
Spurred by the safety concerns that sank vaccination efforts during the 1976 swine-flu
scare, federal officials are increasing efforts to track the safety of a pandemic flu vaccine.
In addition to beefing up the CDC's vaccine adverse-event surveillance system, health-
care organizations and the U.S. military will be helping track vaccine safety.

I had a flu vaccine this season. Am I protected against swine flu?

No. This season's flu vaccine does not protect against the new swine flu virus.
Whether or not there's a swine flu vaccine this winter, there will be a new seasonal flu
vaccine in the fall. This year, it will be more important than ever to get a flu shot. It may
not protect against swine flu -- but it will keep you and others from getting the seasonal
flu viruses that kill some 36,000 Americans each year.

How can I prevent swine flu infection?

The CDC recommends taking these steps:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or
 sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not
available.

• Avoid close contact -- that is, being within 6 feet -- with people who have flu-like
symptoms.

• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. That's not easy to do, so keep those
hands clean.

• If you have flu-like symptoms -- fever plus at least cough or sore throat or other
flu symptoms -- stay home for seven days after symptoms begin or until you've
been symptom-free for 24 hours -- whichever is longer.

• Wear a face mask (consider using an N95 respirator) if you must come into close
contact with a sick person. "Close contact" means within 6 feet. Note: There is no
definitive proof that a face mask prevents flu transmission. Do not rely solely on a
face mask to prevent infection.

• Wear an N95 respirator if helping a sick person with a nebulizer, inhaler, or other
respiratory treatment. Note: There is no definitive proof that a respirator prevents
flu transmission. Do not rely solely on a respirator to prevent infection.

• People who have or are suspected of having swine flu should wear a face mask, if
available and tolerable, when sharing common spaces with other household
members, when outside the home, or when near children or infants.

• Breastfeeding mothers with swine flu symptoms should express their breast milk,
and the child should be fed by someone else.

Should I wear a face mask or respirator?

Short answer: Maybe. Face masks and respirators may very well offer extra protection,
but should not be your first line of defense against either pandemic or seasonal flu.
Every day, newspapers carry pictures of people wearing face masks to prevent swine flu
transmission. But very little is known about whether face masks actually protect against
the flu.
There's a difference between a face mask and a respirator. A face mask does not seal
tightly to the face. Face masks include masks labeled as surgical, dental, medical
procedure, isolation, or laser masks. Respirators are N95- or higher-rated filtering face
pieces that fit snugly to the face. Respirators filter out virus particles when correctly
adjusted -- which is not as simple as it sounds. But it's hard to breathe through them for
extended periods, and they cannot be worn by children or by people with facial hair.

Should I wear a face mask or respirator? continued...

People who have flu-like symptoms should carry disposable tissues to cover their coughs
and sneezes. When going out in public, or when sharing common spaces around the home
with family members, they should put on a face mask -- if one is available and tolerable.
People not at risk of severe flu illness can best protect themselves from swine flu with
frequent hand washing and by staying at least 6 feet away from people with flu
symptoms. But if swine flu is circulating in the community, a face mask or respirator may
be protective in crowded public places.
People at increased risk of severe flu illness -- pregnant women, for example -- should
add a face mask to these tried-and-true precautions when providing assistance to a person
with flu-like illness. And anyone else who cannot avoid close contact with someone who
has swine flu (if you must hold a sick infant, for example) may try using a face mask or
respirator.

How long does the flu virus survive on surfaces?

Flu bugs can survive for hours on surfaces. One study showed that flu viruses can live for
up to 48 hours on hard, nonporous surfaces such as stainless steel and for up to 12 hours
on cloth and tissues. The virus seems to survive for only minutes on your hands -- but
that's plenty of time for you to transfer it to your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Can I still eat pork?

Yes. You can't get swine flu by eating pork, bacon, or other foods that come from pigs.

What else should I be doing during the swine flu pandemic?

Keep informed of what's going on in your community. Your state and local health
departments may have important information if swine flu develops in your area. For
instance, parents might want to consider what they would do if their child's school
temporarily closed because of flu. Don't panic, but a little planning wouldn't hurt.
Here's the advice from the U.S. government's pandemicflu.gov web site:
To plan for a pandemic:

• Store a two-week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get
to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra
supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power
outages and disasters.

• Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply

in your home.

• Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain
relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes,
and vitamins.

• Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if
they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
 • Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.

• Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

What else should I be doing during the swine flu pandemic? continued...
Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:
Examples of food and non-perishables Examples of medical, health, and emergency
supplies
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, • Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and
vegetables, beans, and soups blood-pressure monitoring equipment
• Protein or fruit bars • Soap and water, or alcohol-based (60-95%) hand
wash
• Dry cereal or granola • Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or
ibuprofen
• Peanut butter or nuts • Thermometer
• Dried fruit • Anti-diarrheal medication
• Crackers • Vitamins
• Canned juices • Fluids with electrolytes
• Bottled water • Cleansing agent/soap
• Canned or jarred baby food and formula • Flashlight
• Pet food • Batteries
• Other non-perishable items • Portable radio
• Manual can opener
• Garbage bags
• Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers

How severe is swine flu?

The severity of cases in the current swine flu outbreak has varied widely, from mild cases
to fatalities. Most U.S. cases have been mild, but there have been a number of deaths and
hundreds of hospitalizations -- mostly in young people aged 5 to 24.
Like seasonal flu, children who get swine flu can have serious neurological complications
such as seizures and Reye's syndrome. But as with seasonal flu, these complications
fortunately are rare.
Studies of the swine flu virus show that it is more infectious to lung cells than are
seasonal flu viruses. But studies also suggest that the swine flu virus is less well adapted
to humans and may be harder to inhale deep into the lungs.
Flu viruses change all the time, and the way the pandemic swine flu virus evolved
suggests that it is particularly liable to swap gene segments with other flu viruses. But so
far the swine flu virus hasn't changed much. That's good news, as the vast majority of
swine flu cases have been mild. And it's also good news for the swine flu vaccine, which
is based on swine flu strains isolated early in the pandemic.
It's impossible to know whether the virus will become more deadly. Scientists are
watching closely to see which way the new swine flu virus is heading -- but health
experts warn that flu viruses are notoriously hard to predict.
But there's a lot of planning you can do. CDC officials predict that just about every U.S.
community will have H1N1 swine flu cases. It's possible some schools in your
community may temporarily close, or even that major gatherings may be canceled. So
make contingency plans just in case you are affected. For more information on
preparedness planning, see the U.S. government's pandemicflu.gov web site.

Why has the swine flu infection been more severe in Mexico than in
other countries?
That's not clear yet. Researchers around the world are investigating the differences
between the cases in Mexico and those elsewhere. The data so far suggests that many
more people in Mexico had mild swine flu infections than had originally been
appreciated.

Have there been previous swine flu oubtreaks?

Yes. There was a swine flu outbreak at Fort Dix, N.J., in 1976 among military recruits. It
lasted about a month and then went away as mysteriously as it appeared. As many as 240
people were infected; one died.
The swine flu that spread at Fort Dix was the H1N1 strain. That's the same flu strain that
caused the disastrous flu pandemic of 1918-1919, resulting in tens of millions of deaths
worldwide.
Concern that a new H1N1 pandemic might return in winter 1976 led to a crash program
to create a vaccine and vaccinate all Americans against swine flu. That vaccine program
ran into all kinds of problems -- not the least of which was public perception that the
vaccine caused excessive rates of dangerous reactions. That may not have been the case.
But after more than 40 million people were vaccinated, the effort was abandoned.
As it turned out, there was no swine flu epidemic.
Even though it's an H1N1 type A flu bug, the new swine flu is a different virus than the
ones that emerged in 1918 and in 1976 -- and from the seasonal type A H1N1 virus that
has been circulating for many years.
There have been two flu pandemics since 1918 -- one that began in 1957, and another
that began in 1968.

I was vaccinated against the 1976 swine flu virus. Am I still protected?
Probably not. The new swine flu virus is different from the 1976 virus. And it's not clear
whether a vaccine given more than 30 years ago would still be effective.

How many people have swine flu?

That's a hard question to answer because the figure is changing so quickly. If you want to
keep track of U.S. cases that have been confirmed by lab tests and reported to the CDC,
check the CDC's web site. The CDC uses a rule of thumb that for every confirmed case of
flu, there are about 20 more undetected cases -- but that's just a rule of thumb, not a
scientific count.
Because confirmed cases are just the tip of the iceberg, both the CDC and the World
Health Organization will soon stop announcing confirmed case counts. Instead, they'll
provide more useful information, such as where the swine flu is widespread and whether
particular states and nations have unusually high numbers of flu cases and flu-related
deaths.

How serious is the public health threat of a swine flu epidemic?

The U.S. government has declared swine flu to be a public health emergency. The World
Health Organization considers it a global emergency.
It remains to be seen how severe swine flu will be in the U.S. and elsewhere, but
countries worldwide are monitoring the situation closely and preparing for worst-case
scenarios.

How serious is the public health threat of a swine flu epidemic?

continued...
The World Health Organization has declared swine flu to be a pandemic. That means that
all nations can expect to see swine flu infections -- and should prepare for them -- but
does not mean the virus has become more severe.
The H1N1 swine flu outbreak came at the end of the U.S. flu season. The virus spread
across the nation and around the globe in the spring and summer, seasons when flu
usually ebbs to nearly undetectable levels in the Northern Hemisphere.
Nobody knows how bad the swine flu will be when flu season begins again this fall -- or
even earlier, when children return to school. But the CDC is warning Americans to
prepare for a bad flu season this fall. It's better to over-prepare and look a little silly if
nothing happens than to be unprepared for an emergency.
Scientists are closely watching the Southern Hemisphere, where normal flu season peaks
in August. While swine flu has caused problems from Australia to Argentina -- with some
hospitals filled to capacity with flu cases -- the virus has not yet become more deadly or
more resistant to antiviral drugs.