Are there Medicines to treat Swine Flu?
Yes. Use of Oseltamivir or Zanamivir is recommended for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
How long can an Infected Person Spread Swine Flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.
How long can viruses live outside the body?
It is known that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Swine Flu cases have reportedly been responding to Tamiflu. There are everyday actions that can also help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
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Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
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Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
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Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
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If you get sick with influenza, it is recommended that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. It is recommended that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
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Fast breathing or trouble breathing
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Bluish skin color
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Not drinking enough fluids
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Not waking up or not interacting
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Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
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Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
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Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
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Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
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Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
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Sudden dizziness
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Confusion
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Severe or persistent vomiting
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Prepare for Your Trip Before You Leave
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See a travel medicine specialist or a doctor familiar with travel medicine at least 4–6 weeks before you leave to answer your questions and make specific recommendations for you.
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Antiviral Medications: Travelers going to affected areas/countries that are at high risk of severe illness from influenza (for example persons with chronic conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, heart disease, and the elderly) are recommended to take antiviral medications for prevention of swine influenza during travel. The recommended antiviral drugs for swine influenza are Oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (brand name Relenza). Both are prescription drugs that fight against swine flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. These drugs can prevent infection if taken as a preventative. Talk to your doctor about correct indications for using influenza antiviral medications. Always seek medical care if you are severely ill.
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Antiviral pre-exposure or post-exposure is recommended for the following individuals:
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Household close contacts those are at high-risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain chronic medical conditions, elderly) of a confirmed or suspected case.
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School children who are at high-risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain chronic medical conditions) who had close contact (face-to-face) with a confirmed or suspected case.
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Travelers to affected countries those are at high-risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain chronic medical conditions, elderly).
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Health care workers or public health workers who had unprotected close contact with an ill confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s infectious period.
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Antiviral pre-exposure or post-exposure can be considered for the following:
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Any health care worker who is at high-risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain chronic medical conditions, elderly) who is working in an area with confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) cases, and who is caring for patients with any acute febrile respiratory illness.
2.
Non-high risk persons who are travelers to affected countries, first responders, or border workers who are working in areas with confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
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Be sure you are up-to-date with all your routine vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccine if available.
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Pack a travel health kit that contains basic first aid and medical supplies.
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Identify the health-care resources in the area(s) you will be visiting.
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Check if your health insurance plan will cover you abroad. Consider purchasing additional insurance that covers medical evacuation in case you become sick.
During your visit to an area affected by Swine Flu
Monitor the local situation
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Pay attention to announcements from the local government.
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Follow local public health guidelines, including any movement restrictions and prevention recommendations.
Practice healthy habits to help stop the spread of germs
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Wash your hands often with soap and water. This removes germs from your skin and helps prevent diseases from spreading.
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Use waterless alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap is not available and hands are not visibly dirty.
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a wastebasket.
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If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
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Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.
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Follow all local health recommendations. For example, you may be asked to put on a surgical mask to protect others.
Seek medical care if you feel sick
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If you are ill with fever and other symptoms of swine flu like cough and sore throat, see a doctor, especially if you think you may have had contact with someone with swine flu or severe respiratory illness in the past 7 days before becoming ill.
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You should avoid further travel until you are free of symptoms, unless traveling locally for medical care.
After you return from affected Area
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Closely monitor your health for 7 days
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If you become ill with fever and other symptoms of swine flu like cough and sore throat and possibly vomiting and diarrhea during this period, call your doctor or clinic for an appointment right away. Your doctor may test you for influenza and decide whether influenza antiviral treatment is indicated.
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When you make the appointment, tell the doctor the following:
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Your symptoms,
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Where you traveled, and
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If you have had close contact with a person infected with swine flu.
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Avoid leaving your home while sick except to get local medical care, or as instructed by your doctor. Do not go to work or school while ill. If you must leave your home (for example, to seek medical care) wear a surgical mask to keep from spreading your illness to others.
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Always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away used tissues in a trash can.
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Wash your hands with soap and water often and especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel containing at least 60% alcohol.
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Avoid close contact with other people as much as possible.
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Wear a surgical mask if you are in contact with other people.