What you need to know: symptoms and how swine flu spreads

Updated on: 09 August,2009 08:37 AM IST |
A Correspondent |

Symptoms of swine flu

Symptoms
>>Fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
>>Cough
>>Runny or stuffy nose
>>Sore throat
>>Body aches
>>Headache
>>Chills
>>Fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
>>Diarrhea and vomiting, in some cases, but more commonly seen than in seasonal flu
>>Pneumonia and respiratory failure are indicators of a more serious swine flu infection

High risk groups
>>Pregnant women
>>People with chronic medical problems, such as chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression (reduced efficacy of the immune system)
>>Children and adults with obesity

How it spreads
Swine flu spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone who is sick with swine flu. You can contract it if they cough or sneeze close to you.

Droplets from a cough or sneeze can also contaminate everyday objects, like water bottles, doorknobs oru00a0 kitchen appliances. However, these might survive for a few hours only.

People with swine flu are likely to be contagious for one day before and up to seven days after they began to get sick with swine flu symptoms.

If someone begins to show symptoms of swine flu, they should avoid other people and call a doctor who might conduct a rapid flu test to see if they have an influenza A infection. Further testing can then be done to see if it is a swine flu infection.

Swine flu helpline number set up by the BMC at Kasturba Hospital: 23083901

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