Once again the headlines are buzzing with the news of a possible flu-pandemic in the making. This time it’s the “swine flu” originating in Mexico. But as we all know in this day and age, any contagious disease is no further that a flight away, and while at the time of writing this article no cases of this disease have been reported in Indonesia, you can be sure that we will have cases in the not-to-distant future. Bali is the travel hub of Asia, receiving hundreds of flights from all over the world every day. Here are some common sense tips from CDC and WHO.
Swine flu Q and A
Q. How do people catch the swine flu?
A. Public health officials believe the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is spreading the way that the seasonal flu spreads every year -- when people infected with the flu cough or sneeze and others breathe in airborne droplets containing the virus. People may also be getting swine flu from touching surfaces such as doorknobs contaminated with the virus and then touching their face or mouth. Infected people can spread the flu before they have symptoms, as well as while they are sick.
Q. How can I protect myself and my family from swine flu?
A. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Also, you should get plenty of sleep, exercise, manage your stress, eat healthy food, and drink plenty of water. Avoid close interactions with people who are sick and try not to touch surfaces that could be contaminated with the virus. Avoid touching your nose, eyes, or mouth.
Q. Does hand sanitizer work if I can’t wash my hands?
A. Doctors advise using sanitizing wipes and alcohol-based gels when you do not have access to soap, water, and a sink. If you use a gel, rub your hands until it dries. It’s preferable to wash your hands.
Q. Should I wear a mask to keep from catching or spreading swine flu?
A. Officials are not recommending that people wear a mask in public places in the United States at this time. Medical professionals treating people suspected to have swine flu are being advised to take the usual precautions for treating people with infectious diseases, including wearing surgical masks.
Q. What are the symptoms of swine flu?
A. They are similar to symptoms of the regular seasonal flu, and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches,headaches, chills, and fatigue. Some people who have gotten the swine flu have had diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Q. What should I do if I get sick?
A. If you are sick with flu symptoms, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands after each time you cough or sneeze. If you are sick and have traveled to or live in areas where swine flu cases have been identified, you may want to contact your primary care provider for advice about possible treatment or testing. Two anti-viral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza, can reduce the severity and duration of illness from swine flu only if taken within two days of symptoms appearing. (The drugs are not known to be effective if taken as a precaution before getting ill.)
Q. What is the test for swine flu, and how long does it take to get the results?
A. In countries like the USA, Australia and Europe a sample from your throat or material that you cough up can be taken by a doctor, and then submitted for initial genetic fingerprinting at a laboratory. At this stage it is unlikely that Bali would have such testing available, and diagnosis would be largely on the patients symptoms.
Q. How sick can people get from swine flu?
A. More than 100 deaths associated with swine flu have been reported in Mexico, while most of the people diagnosed with this new strain in the United States have had milder cases. Because the overall number of people infected with the virus is unknown, public health officials do not yet know what percentage of infected people will become seriously ill or die.
Q. Is there a vaccine?
A. No vaccine exists to protect humans from the current swine flu, but the federal government is taking initial steps to prepare for potential production of a swine flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine available this year is not believed to be effective at warding off swine flu, and it’s unlikely that people vaccinated against the 1976 swine flu strain are protected against this new strain.
Q. Is it safe to eat pork?
A. Yes, as long as it is properly cooked and handled. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork products.
Q. Can my dog or cat catch swine flu?
A. At this point, it’s unlikely. But viruses can change and veterinarians warn that transmission to pets could occur at some point.
Q. What is a pandemic?
A. A pandemic is an outbreak of infectious disease that becomes widespread across regions or continents and large parts of the population. A flu pandemic happens when the influenza virus mutates into a form that can readily spread from human to human and to which people have no natural immunity. Influenza pandemics have occurred every 10 to 50 years for centuries. Not all pandemics are deadly to large portions of the population. However, in 1918, a global flu pandemic killed tens of millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization has not designated this strain of swine flu as a pandemic.
(Sources: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical professionals. For more information, visit the CDC swine flu website, or the World Health Organization’s website.)
SINGAPOREAN FLU
What’s all the fuss about lah??
Singaporean flu or common old Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a viral illness of infants and children. (Not to be confused with foot and mouth or hoof and mouth disease in animals). This disease is very common and has been around for a very long time, but for some reason this year we had to give it a funky new name so we called it Singaporean Flu (just to confuse everyone!). This viral illness is ripping through Singapore and Jakarta like a wild fire, so the law of averages says we should be seeing an increase of cases of this here in Bali right about now.
The disease usually begins with a fever, poor appetite, malaise (feeling vaguely unwell), and often with a sore throat. One or 2 days after fever onset, painful sores usually develop in the mouth. They begin as small red spots that blister and then often become ulcers. The sores are usually located on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks.
A non-itchy skin rash develops over 1–2 days. The rash has flat or raised red spots, sometimes with blisters. The rash is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet; it may also appear on the buttocks and/or genitalia. A person with HFMD may have only the rash or only the mouth sores.
What causes HFMD?
HFMD is caused by viruses that belong to the enterovirus genus (group). Enterovirus Coxsackievirus A16 is the most common cause of HFMD, but other coxsackieviruses have been associated with the illness.
How It Is Spread ?
Infection is spread from person to person by direct contact with infectious virus. Infectious virus is found in the nose and throat secretions, saliva, blister fluid, and stool of infected persons. The virus is most often spread by persons with unwashed, virus-contaminated hands and by contact with virus-contaminated surfaces. Infected persons are most contagious during the first week of the illness. The viruses that cause HFMD can remain in the body for weeks after a patient’s symptoms have gone away. This means that the infected person can still pass the infection to other people even though he/she appears well. Also, some persons who are infected and excreting the virus, including most adults, may have no symptoms.
How is it treated?
There is no specific treatment for HFMD. Symptoms can be treated to provide relief from pain from mouth sores and from fever and aches:
- Fever can be treated with antipyretics (drugs that reduce fevers such as paracetamol, acetaminophen).
- Pain can be treated with acetaminophen, paracetamol, or other over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Mouthwashes or sprays that numb pain can be used to lessen mouth pain (such as Bonjela teething gel).
- Encourage fluid intake to prevent dehydration (lack of body fluids).
A vaccine or specific preventive for HFMD is not available, but the risk of infection can be lowered by following good hygiene practices.
