Summary: Dr. Shelley Gordon defines what swine flu is, how common fever and muscle aches are. For example, regular flu and swine flu occur at different times of the year. Like all flu viruses, many more people get “infected” than become sick as the virus spreads in the community. Blood tests are not always needed if the swine flu has been widespread in your community. Early diagnosis helps you and your neighbors. Then, appropriate medicines can be begun to shorten your illness and decrease the risk that you will spread it to others. However, the best way to “treat” the swine flu is to get vaccinated; but a vaccine against swine flu will NOT be available until October 2009. So far, swine flu has affected a younger part of the population. Still, people at risk for infection based on other illnesses or certain medicines, and pregnant women need to be sensitive that they might have the flu; medicines are essential in these groups and these groups are the ones who should receive the vaccine first once it is available. Like any of the vaccines made in eggs, the dangers of the flu far outweigh the dangers of getting the vaccine, even in pregnant women, though the vaccine should not be given to those allergic to eggs. If people have the swine flu, protect those you live with by good hand-washing and “cough” hygiene”. (The term “cough hygiene” means that anyone who feels sick should cough into their elbow rather than openly into the air should a Kleenex not be available.) People should NOT be isolated from the rest of the family when at home; common sense suggest that there should be good hand-washing and maintaining a distance (perhaps 6 feet) from people who might be coughing up the virus, there is little to nothing to be gained by eating separately or excessively washing linens.
