Swine flu update

MANAMA: Bahrain ordered all its schools closed yesterday, as it
stepped up its defences against swine flu
All government and private secondary schools must now stay closed
until October 4.
All intermediate school pupils must stay away until October 11 and all
primary school pupils until October 18.
All schools or classes for kindergarten-age pupils and special needs
centres must stay closed until November 1, having earlier been ordered
shut until October 4.
Some private schools had already reopened and were due to resume after
the Eid break and government schools were due to open on September 27.
The decision was made during a meeting to discuss how to combat the
potential spread of the virus, led by Education Minister Dr Majid Al
Nuaimi and Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer.
An Education Ministry statement said the decision was taken to
safeguard the return of pupils to classes, particularly vulnerable
groups such as young children and to alleviate pressure on the
country's health services.
Schools staff will be urged to attend a series of Education and Health
ministry-run workshops to raise awareness about how to deal with a
major swine flu outbreak.
Nine private schools had already been ordered shut for seven days in
the last week, after cases of swine flu were confirmed amongst pupils.
Universities: will reopen as planned. However, Bahrain University has
cancelled its orientation day for about 4,000 new students which was
due to be held on Thursday.
** Information taken from the GDN 20th Sept

Hi Parents

If you are anything like us the thought of trailing the internet trying to answer all the questions you may have is daunting!

Here are the ‘highlights’ for you to browse.....

Please don’t be too worried this is not the first time swine flu has been around and the terrifying death rates are not much more than regular flu –its just VERY contagious and therefore we all need to be aware of the dangers t stop it getting worse. X

The MOST important thing to remember is if you or a member of you family is showing any of these symptoms DO NOT go out as this is very easily spread and can cause serious illness or death to another person (especially children and pregnant women) schools, business and playgroups around the world are having to close as people are ignoring the warnings.

Contact your doctor by telephone if you think you have Swine Flu so you are not spreading it at the hospital too.

What is Swine Flu and do I have it?

It’s a new strain of Influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, it has spread to nearly 200 countries around the world.

Although symptoms have generally proved mild, a small number of patients will develop more serious illness. Many of these people have other underlying health conditions, such as heart or lung disease, that put them at increased risk.

Flu symptoms can include:

  fever

  cough

  headache

  weakness and fatigue

  aching muscles and joints

  sore throat

  runny nose

Some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch swine flu. It is vital that people in these higher risk groups get anti-viral drugs and start taking them as soon as possible – within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Health authorities are still learning about the swine flu virus, but the following people are known to be at higher risk:

  pregnant women

  people aged 65 years and older

  young children under five years old

People suffering from the following illnesses are also at increased risk: 

  chronic lung disease

  chronic heart disease

  chronic kidney disease

  chronic liver disease

  chronic neurological disease

  Immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)

  Diabetes mellitus

  patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years 

If you think you have swine flu Contact your GP directly If:

  you have a serious underlying illness

  you are pregnant

  you have a sick child under one year old

  your condition suddenly gets much worse

  your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child)

Checking symptoms

It is worth making sure you have a working thermometer at home, as an increase in temperature is a key symptom.  

Outlook

Worldwide, just over 0.4% of the laboratory-confirmed cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) have died. This is a similar rate to ordinary flu. The true number of swine flu cases is likely to be significantly higher than that reported to WHO and therefore the figure of 0.4% is likely to be an overestimate of the death rate.

Where complications do occur, they tend to be caused by the virus affecting the lungs. Infections such as pneumonia can develop.  

Why is swine flu affecting humans?

Because the swine flu virus has mutated (changed) and is now able to infect humans and transmit between them. 

Is the new swine flu virus contagious?

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says the new swine flu virus is highly contagious and is spreading from person to person. Swine flu spreads in the same way as ordinary colds and flu. The virus is spread  through the droplets that come out of the nose or mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.

If someone coughs or sneezes and they do not cover it, those droplets can spread about one metre (3ft). If you are very close to the person you might breathe them in.

Or, if someone coughs or sneezes into their hand, those droplets and the virus within them are easily transferred to surfaces that the person touches, such as door handles, hand rails, telephones and keyboards. If you touch these surfaces and touch your face, the virus can enter your system, and you can become infected. 

How long does the virus live on surfaces?

The flu virus can live on a hard surface for up to 24 hours, and a soft surface

for around 20 minutes. 

What is the incubation period for swine flu?

According to the Health Protection Agency, the incubation period for swine flu (time between infection and appearance of symptoms) can be up to seven days, but is most likely to be between two and five days. It is, however, too early to be able to provide details on virus characteristics, including incubation period, with absolute certainty at this time. 

When are people most infectious?

People are most infectious to others soon after they develop symptoms, although they continue to shed the virus (for example, in coughs and sneezes) for up to five days (seven days in children). People become less infectious as their symptoms subside, and once their symptoms are gone, they are no longer considered infectious to others. 

How quickly is swine flu spreading?

Swine flu is now widespread and spreading rapidly. The number of new cases is doubling every seven days (in the UK). Most of these are because people are catching swine flu in their local community and not as the result of foreign travel. 

Treatments

It appears that early doses of antiviral medicines such as Tamiflu are effective in helping people to recover.  

How long are symptoms expected to last?

As with any sort of influenza, the severity and duration of symptoms will vary depending on treatment and individual circumstances.  

How does swine flu cause death?

Like any other type of flu, people can die from swine flu if they develop complications, like pneumonia. 

Should we expect a more severe second wave of the pandemic in the winter?

Features of previous flu pandemics suggest that the current viral strain will become even more widespread in the autumn or winter, causing more illness and death. It is possible that the virus will mutate (change) into a more potent strain.  

Should I go to work or school if I have been in contact with someone who I know

has swine flu?

Yes, as long as you do not have flu-like symptoms. If you are feeling well, you should go about your normal activities, including going to school or work. It can take up to seven days (normally two to five days) after infection for swine flu symptoms to develop. If you develop symptoms, stay at home and follow the general advice (see What should I do if I think I’m infected?).   

Is it possible to catch swine flu twice?

Yes,  

Should I have a 'swine flu party' or try and catch swine flu now, so I will be immune to more serious strains that may emerge later?

No – it is irresponsible to purposefully catch the virus as you may perpetuate the spread. Also, as we don't yet know the profile of the virus, it is too soon to assume it is only a mild infection. And catching swine flu will not necessarily protect you from strains that may emerge later (see Is it possible to catch swine flu twice?).

 

What can I do?

You can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading swine flu

by:

  Always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

  Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.

  Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap

  and warm water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face, or

  to other people.

  Cleaning hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using a normal

  cleaning product.  

You should also prepare now by:

 Confirming a network of ‘flu friends’ – friends and relatives – who could help  you if you fall ill. They could collect medicines and other supplies for you so you do not have to leave home and possibly spread the virus.  

Are alcohol handrubs better than soap and water?

Both alcohol handrubs and washing with soap and water are important in minimising the risk of spreading swine flu - they both deactivate the flu virus. Alcohol handrub can only be used on visibly clean hands; if hands are dirty, soap and water should be used. Handrubs are useful where there is no easy access to a place to wash and dry your hands. 

Why shouldn't the general public wear facemasks?

Because the available scientific evidence does not suggest that this is an effective preventative measure.

The virus is spread by picking up the virus from touching infected surfaces, or by someone coughing or sneezing at very close range – so unless you are standing close to someone with the virus, wearing a facemask will not make a difference. There are concerns about the risks posed by not using facemasks correctly. Facemasks must be changed regularly as they are less effective when dampened by a person’s breath. People may infect themselves if they touch the outer surface of their mask, or may infect others by not disposing of old masks safely.

Finally, wearing a facemask may encourage complacency. People need to focus on good hand hygiene, staying at home if they are feeling unwell, and covering their mouth when they cough or sneeze. 

Will my child experience nausea if they take Tamiflu?

As is the case with many medicines, nausea is a known side effect of Tamiflu, in a small number of cases. Symptoms may lessen over the course of the treatment.

It may help to take Tamiflu either with or immediately after food, and drinking some water may also lessen any feelings of nausea. 

Are pregnant women more likely to catch swine flu?

Yes. Pregnant women are more susceptible to all infections, because their immune system is naturally suppressed in pregnancy. They are especially vulnerable to swine flu, as this virus is affecting younger age groups in particular.  

Does swine flu pose special risks in pregnant women?

Most pregnant women with swine flu will only have mild symptoms like most other people with swine flu. However, pregnant women have an increased risk of complications from any type of flu, because their immune system is naturally supressed in pregnancy. Possible complications are pneumonia (an infection of the lungs), difficulty breathing and dehydration, which are more likely to happen in the second and third trimester. There is a small chance that these complications will lead to premature labour or miscarriage. There is not yet enough information to know precisely how likely these birth risks are.  

What special precautions can pregnant women take?

If you are pregnant, you can reduce your risk of infection by avoiding unnecessary travel and avoiding crowds where possible. Pregnant women should also follow the general hygiene advice (see What can I do?).  

If you think that you may have swine flu, call your doctor for an assessment immediately.  

Can I take antiviral drugs if I am pregnant?

Yes, on the advice of a doctor.  

If my child has swine flu, what should I do?

If your GP confirms that your child has swine flu, they should stay at home and you should treat their symptoms like any other cold or flu. Make sure they drink plenty of liquids, get lots of rest and take over-the-counter cold and flu remedies to help control their temperature.  Your Dr will tell you whether your child should also take antiviral drugs.

However, antivirals can also have side effects. If your child’s swine flu symptoms are mild, you may not wish to give them antivirals. Your GP can advise you on this. 

Can babies under the age of one take antivirals?

Tamiflu and Relenza are not licensed for use in babies under the age of one.  

We are about to go on holiday, what should we do?

Wherever you go on holiday, you should always take the same sensible precautions that you do when at home. Know where you can get medical advice if you or your family feel unwell and make sure you have over-the-counter medication for coughs and sneezes.

If you have swine flu, do not travel until after your symptoms have stopped. 

If you do experience flu-like symptoms, keep away from public places to avoid spreading it. Then contact a health professional and tell them your symptoms. If you become ill on your flight home, alert the cabin crew to your symptoms. There are procedures in place for dealing with passengers who become unwell on flights, and the airline will advise port health officials on the ground that a passenger requires a health assessment and may need treatment.  

Is it safe to eat pig meat?

Yes. The WHO says there is no evidence that swine flu can be transmitted through eating meat from infected animals. However, it is essential to cook meat properly. A temperature of 70°C (158°F) would be sure to kill the virus. Pig meat includes pork, bacon, ham and pork products. 

Are the reports that 65,000 people are going to die true?

It is wrong to suggest there will be a particular number of deaths per day. Scientific and clinical experts can use sophisticated modelling techniques to help us understand how the virus may behave, but that is all they can do - be a guide, not a prediction. 

Credits

This information was compiled from The UK NHS advice pages

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx