Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the swine flu.
What is the swine flu?
The swine flu is a new virus that is made up of different genes. Those genes come from the American and European swine flu, bird flu and human flu, and in a combination that has never existed before. The virus is transmitted from person to person and is officially called the A(H1N1) flu. The name swine flu is based on the fact that this new virus was first discovered in Mexico on March 18, 2009.
How do people get infected?
You can be infected by the tiny saliva droplets that are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Infection goes directly through the breath, but on objects the viruses can also survive for hours; so be careful about frequently touching your mouth, eyes or nose.
Why are many people expected to get sick?
Every winter we experience a flu wave, which makes people sick and which kills people with little resistance. Such a seasonal flu is caused by an existing virus, against which a vaccine already exists. Once every ten to fifty years a completely new flu virus emerges, against which humans have no protection yet. That is why many more people become more seriously ill.
How long does it take between getting infected and getting sick?
Two to four days with a maximum of seven days. If you are infected yourself, you can infect others from one day before to five days after you develop symptoms.
How do I know if I have swine flu?
That is difficult to judge, because the symptoms resemble those of a normal flu:headache, sore throat, cough, fever, sneezing, muscle aches and fatigue. If you have been to a country where this flu is prevalent, or have been in contact with someone who has it, you should be extra vigilant and inform the house staff (starting by telephone; think of the infection through the waiting room!). Your doctor can prescribe specific medicines for you.
What is a flu pandemic?
A pandemic is an epidemic on a global scale. Before we use this word, three conditions must be met:the disease is new, the disease is contagious, and the disease spreads easily among people. For example, cancer is a disease that has caused many deaths, but it is not seen as a pandemic because it cannot be transmitted.
What is the chance that you will get infected? At the end of July 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the number of swine flu infections to 985. The number of official deaths in Mexico as a result of the virus at that time was 25. The virus has now spread in twenty different countries. found, including the Netherlands.
Do face masks help?
According to the WHO, the use of masks in public places has no effect. According to the organization, if the masks are used incorrectly, there is even an increased risk of contamination, for example when people put on or take off their mask with unwashed hands.
How can I protect myself and my family?
– Wash your hands regularly, keep your house clean and ensure good ventilation.
– Make sure you have food and drink at home for at least three days. Three weeks is even preferable.
– If you have flu symptoms (these are fever, muscle aches, sore throat, cough and fatigue), avoid contact with others and consult a doctor (by phone).
– Tamiflu and Relenza are effective for flu symptoms. These are provided by the government, but you can now also get such resources yourself. Tamiflu can be taken to treat or prevent influenza. Tamiflu is available as a capsule and as a powder to make up a solution. There would be a stock available for one in three Dutch people. In principle this should be sufficient. If you want to be on the safe side, you can now also order this product online. Ten tablets of Tamiflu cost € 79.95.
Can I get vaccinated?
The government is working on a vaccination program that will only come into effect this autumn. At the moment there is still speculation about who will get priority. According to the latest reports, these are health professionals and young people, but this has not been confirmed.
How dangerous is the virus?
Anyone who is infected does not necessarily die. So far, the virus has even made fewer victims than originally feared. It is expected that there will be more fatalities in the near future (autumn). The most pessimistic forecasts speak of seven deaths a day in our country. Incidentally, the Spanish flu in 1918-1919 claimed between twenty and one hundred million deaths.
For other questions, please contact a GP or other expert.
