Swine Flu Facts
To keep up-to-date with the latest information about the current swine flu outbreak, including numbers and areas of current cases, visit the CDC website.
Download a H1N1 Flu fact sheet from the CDC to learn how to stay healthy.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs which is caused by type A influenza virus. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, but it can occassionally happen with direct exposure to pigs. The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similiar to regular seasonal influenza: fever, tiredness, coughing. Some people may have a runny nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.
Swine flu spreads through person-to-person contact: coughing or sneezing by people infected with the virus; touching surfaces which have been in contact with the virus and then touching your mouth or nose.
See the CDC flu facts page for more information.
What You Can Do To Stay Healthy
- Stay informed. Check the CDC website for current information on the spread of the disease.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people, so:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
- Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.