豬流感有很多個不同的品種，計有：H1N1、H1N2、H3N1、H3N2和H2N3亞型的甲型流感病毒都能導致豬流感的感染。不像禽流感那樣，豬流感能夠以人傳人。過往曾經發生人類感染豬流感，但未有發生人傳人案例。2009年4月中，墨西哥公布發生人傳人的豬流感案例，有關案例是一宗由H1N1豬流感病毒引起，並在基因分析的過程發現基因內有豬、雞及來自亞洲、歐洲及美洲人種的基因。人感染猪流感的症状：猪流感患者通常有39摄氏度以上的高烧、剧烈头疼、肌肉疼痛、咳嗽、鼻塞、红眼等病徵。
預防方法
因為H1N1亞型豬流感病毒跟人類H1N1病毒的抗原非常不同，所以季節性流感的疫苗不能為人類提供保護。為了防止感染，應採取以下措施﹕- 保持手部清潔，並用正確方法洗手。如沒有明顯污垢時，可用酒精搓手液消毒。
- 避免手部接觸眼睛、鼻及口。
- 打噴嚏或咳嗽時應遮掩口鼻。
- 不要隨地吐痰，如要吐痰應將分泌物包好，棄置於有蓋垃圾箱內。
- 有呼吸道感染徵狀或發燒時，應戴上口罩，並盡早求醫。
- 若出現流感徵狀，切勿上班或上學。
- 如外遊途中或回程後出現發燒或類似流感的徵狀，要馬上就醫，告知醫生有關外遊記錄。
Below extracted from Health Promotion Board, for your information.
For the benefit of yourself, family, friends and colleagues practice good hygiene habits.
For more information, kindly visit : http://www.hpb.gov.sg
Swine Flu
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert on the outbreak of human swine influenza that has claimed 81 lives in Mexico.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza virus. Although the swine flu does not usually affect humans, there had been cases of human infections with swine flu and human-to-human transmission has been reported.
A number of confirmed human cases infected with the new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus have been identified. Many countries around the world are responding to contain the spread of infection and are monitoring the situation closely.
Causes
Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. The spread of swine flu is believed to be the same way as how seasonal flu spreads. Most common transmission of person to person infection is through coughing or sneezing of persons with influenza.
Swine flu infection is contagious. People with infection may be able to spread the flu virus a day before the symptoms appear and up to a week following the onset of illness.
Signs & symptoms
Just like the seasonal flu, swine flu infection in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of swine flu may include the following:
- High fever
- Cough
- Muscle pains
- Sore throat
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
See your family doctor if you have any of the above symptons. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following warning signs:
- Breathing difficulty
- Confusion
- Persistent vomiting
- Sudden dizziness
- Complications
Swine flu infection can be serious and life threatening. Deaths from pneumonia and respiratory failure have been reported with severe swine flu infection.
Treatment
There are antiviral medications available to treat and/or prevent swine flu infection. Anti-viral medications such as oseltamivir or zanamivir fight against the influenza viruses from reproducing in the body. These medications, when taken early in the course of infection (within 2 days of the appearance of symptoms) may:
- reduce the severity of the infection with faster recovery from the illness.
- prevent serious flu complications.
Prevention
One of the ways to protect against swine flu infection is to prevent its spread. Since the illness occurs through direct contact with infectious material and respiratory secretions, it is important to practise good personal hygiene. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
1. Cover Your Nose and Mouth
- With a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose the tissue properly in the trash after use.
2. Wash Your Hands
- Regularly and thoroughly with soap and water.
- Before and after preparing food
- After going to the toilet
- Before and after eating
- After blowing your nose
- After using your hand when coughing or sneezing
3. Contain the Spread of Flu
- Use a serving spoon when sharing food from a common dish.
- Do not share personal items such as toothbrushes and towels.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- If you are sick, avoid crowded areas and wear mask.
- Stay at home and do not go to work or school if ill.
- See your family doctor if you have flu like symptoms and if you had recent travel to areas with cases of swine flu.
4. Build Up Your Immunity
- If you are a smoker, quit smoking. It harms you and your family.
- Take more fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetables are the most power-packed combination of nutrients your body needs for good health.
- Drink the equivalent of 8 glasses of fluid daily.
- Engage in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on 5 or more days a week.
- Learn to relax and rest.
5. Keep Your Environment Clean
- Do not throw leftover food on the floor or in the open.
- Do not leave food in common areas for stray animals.
- Do not spit on the floor and common areas.
- Throw used masks, tissue or litter into rubbish bins.
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