CDC Releases Information and Recommendations on Swine Flu

Contact Your Physician if You Experience Symptoms

There has been a good deal of recent press about the potential swine flu epidemic. Symptoms of the virus include headache, chills, body aches, and usually begin with a sore throat, runny nose, and cough.

If you are currently undergoing cancer treatment and are in a high-risk area, or have traveled recently, please talk to your doctor if you exhibit any symptoms of the flu.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy:

• 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.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people:

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with swine flu, contact your physician.

CDC Treatment Recommendations 

The virus seems resistant to the drugs amantidine and rimanditine, yet is showing sensitivity to Tamiflu and Relenza. Below are the current treatment recommendations from the CDC.

CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

• Oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®) is approved to both treat and prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people one year of age and older. 
• Zanamivir (brand name Relenza ®) is approved to treat influenza A and B virus infection in people 7 years and older and to prevent influenza A and B virus infection in people 5 years and older. 

Recommendations for using antiviral drugs for treatment or prevention of swine influenza will change as we learn more about this new virus.

Visit the CDC web site for specific recommendations.