Department of Health and Human Services Questions & Answers on the Swine Flu

(Posted 4/27/2009) - As a community awareness service we are posting information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) entitled "Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)."

Click here to open the Question and Answer format document; which addresses topics such as:

  • What is Swine Influenza?
  • How common is swine flu among pigs?
  • Can humans catch swine flu?
  • How does swine flu spread?
  • What do we know about human to human spread of swine flu?
  • What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there?
  • How many swine flu viruses are there?
  • Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?
  • What are the public health implications of human infections with swine influenza viruses?

The document also includes references for the interested reader.

Post Script (4/30/2009) -

More on Swine Flu Awareness

Dear Neighbor,

With all the recent news swirling through our news outlets on swine influenza, I felt the need to inform you about what the State of Illinois is doing to protect its residents.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has alerted its disease surveillance partners throughout the state such as local health departments, hospitals, clinics, labs and others to be on the lookout for cases of swine flu. Any suspected cases are encouraged to be sent to state labs to be tested. The department also is working closely with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and federal health authorities, including the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The federal government has offered states access to emergency stockpiles of anti-flu drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza. Illinois is currently working with the CDC to receive some of these anti-viral drugs to increase the supply we already have on hand.

Just to clarify, swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs and typically, humans are not infected. However, the CDC has confirmed human-to-human transmission of swine flu cases.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. There have also been some reported cases where people have experienced diarrhea and vomiting.

Please heed common sense precautions as you would do to avoid any other illnesses:

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often with soap and water—especially after you cough and sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also a good option on the go. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as that is the most common ways germs are spread. If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit your contact with other people to avoid infection of others. Parents should follow the same recommendations for their children.

For people who have flu-like symptoms and have traveled to areas where swine flu has been confirmed, they should seek medical attention. However, if a person has flu-like symptoms, but has not traveled to areas where swine flu has been confirmed, they should stay home and contact a doctor to see if they should go in for testing.

The Illinois Department of Public Health will continually update information on swine flu on its Web site at www.idph.state.i.us . More information can also be found at the DuPage County Health Department Web site at www.dupagehealth.org .

With increased awareness and accurate information, I believe we can take proper common-sense measures to keep ourselves healthy. I hope this information has been helpful.

Warmest Regards,

Sandy Pihos State Representative 42nd District