Public health officials within the United States and throughout the world
are investigating outbreaks of swine influenza (swine flu).
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza
virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu
viruses do not normally infect humans: however, human infections with
swine flu do occur. Public health officials have determined that this
strain of swine flu virus spreads from human to human and can cause
illness.
The outbreak is ongoing and additional cases are expected. For more
information concerning swine flu infection, please see the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website:
www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
For specific information on travel precautions and an update on the
affected areas, please visit:
www.cdc.gov/travel.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of
seasonal flu in humans and may include:
- Fever (greater than 100F or 37.8C)
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Stuffy nose
- Chills
- Headache and body aches
- Fatigue
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine
flu. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have
been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu,
swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical
conditions.
People entering the United States who are experiencing symptoms
consistent with swine flu and have traveled to an affected area (see
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm for affected areas), or
have been exposed to someone possibly infected with swine flu, during
the last 7 days should report their illnesses to their health care
provider immediately and inform them of their recent travel.
People traveling from the United States to affected areas should be
aware of the risk of illness with swine flu and take precautions.
To prevent the spread of swine flu:
- Avoid contact with ill persons.
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve (if you do not have a tissue).
- Throw used tissues in a trash can.
- After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands with soap and water, or use
an alcohol-based hand gel.
If you think you are ill with flu, avoid close contact with others as
much as possible. Stay at home or in your hotel room. Seek medical care
if you are severely ill (such as having trouble breathing). There are
antiviral medications for prevention and treatment of swine flu that a
doctor can prescribe. Do not go to work, school, or travel while ill.
To Learn More
For further information, contact the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services. Their 24-hour hotline is 1-866-321-9251 and their web site is www.nj.gov/health. You can also get information from the National Centers for Disease Control. Their 24-hour hotline is at 1-800-CDC-INFO (in both English and Spanish). Their web site is www.cdc.gov, and the Spanish version of their web site is www.cdc.gov/spanish.
