What is Swine flu?
It is a respiratory disease caused by the Influenza A(H1N1) virus from the influenza type A group that causes disease in pigs
in humans. It is also called Pandemic Flu. The disease was first seen in April 2009 in Mexico, then in the USA, and then spread to many countries.
What is the difference from the flu seen in winter months (seasonal influenza)?
Influenza A( H1N1) virus is similar to other influenza viruses that are seen mostly in winter months. The way the disease is transmitted and its symptoms are also similar. However, the Influenza A(H1N1)
virus has a genetic feature that affects birds and pigs as well as humans and can become more dangerous by undergoing a type change, which we call mutation.
What are the symptoms?
What are the symptoms? p>
• The symptoms of this flu are similar to the seasonal flu symptoms seen in humans.
• Fever (38 degrees and above)
• Cough,
• Sore throat,
• Common body pain,
• Headache,
• Chills – shivering
• Fatigue, feeling of weakness
• Vomiting and diarrhea may be observed.
Similar to seasonal flu, this In flu, the severity of the disease can vary from mild to severe. The disease
especially affects the young and middle age group. It progresses more severely in those with chronic health problems and those with low body resistance
.
Contagiousness!
Influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and, like other seasonal flu agents, can easily spread from person to person
/> can pass. It is transmitted from person to person through virus-containing droplets that are usually spread during coughing or sneezing. It can be taken directly through shaking hands, kissing, hugging and close contact, or it can also be taken from inanimate surfaces such as door handles, tables, chairs, telephones, light switches, etc.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by PCR (Polymerase Chain
Reaction polymerase chain reaction) test of the nasal swab according to the standards defined by the World Health Organization.
What should be done to prevent contamination?
Sick people can be diagnosed as soon as the symptoms start. They are contagious from day before to 7 days after. This
You should rest for a period of time and contact with other people should be limited.
Avoiding contact with sick people is an appropriate method of protection, as it is transmitted from person to person through means such as sneezing and coughing.
A mask should be worn if necessary. .
Hand washing is also very important for protection. Touching the eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands can spread
viruses. Hands should be washed with soap and water, especially after sneezing or coughing.
In places where soap and water are not available, hand disinfectants containing alcohol can be used on the street, in public transportation, in shopping malls, and in schools.
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When coughing or sneezing, the mouth and nose should be covered with a disposable tissue and then the tissue should be thrown away.
The place should be ventilated frequently.
Plenty of fluids. should be taken, more food containing fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed, attention should be paid to good nutrition and rest.
Treatment recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health;
Supportive treatment: When the disease is mild. If people are not in the risk group, hospitalization
or antiviral treatment is not required.
Fever-reducing - pain-relieving medications, increasing fluid intake and rest are recommended. Antibiotics
should not be used for prophylaxis.
Groups that need to be hospitalized and antiviral drugs used;
Treatment of those in the risk group and serious or complicated cases is possible with hospitalization and antiviral
drugs. It should be started as early as possible.
Risk groups
• Pregnant women.
• Those whose disease progresses rapidly and severely.
• Those with pneumonia.
• Below Those with other underlying diseases.
Should the swine flu vaccine be administered?
Although this virus, which is currently causing an epidemic, is not dangerous, it has the potential to mutate and change type in the future and cause very serious deadly epidemics. The World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health believe that it is beneficial to administer vaccines against the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, especially starting from risk groups.
Swine Flu (A / What is H1N1?
Swine flu is a viral disease that causes disease in humans, caused by the A (H1N1) type virus. This
virus is a mixture of human, swine and bird viruses.
What are the symptoms of Swine Flu (A/H1N1)?
It is similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu seen in humans. These are:
• Fever,
• Headache
• Sore throat,
• Cough,
• Chills
• Widespread body pain,
br /> • Fatigue
• Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur in some cases
Is Swine Flu (A/H1N1) Virus Contagious?
Swine flu A(H1N1) virus is contagious and can be transmitted from person to person
How is Swine Flu (A/H1N1) Transmitted?
It is thought that swine flu spreads in the same way as seasonal flu. Flu viruses are transmitted from person to person
through coughing and sneezing. The disease can also be transmitted when hands are brought to the mouth or nose after touching a place infected with the flu virus.
How are people diagnosed as having swine flu?
Testing of swab samples taken from the nose or throat in a laboratory environment. As a result
diagnosis is made.
Who is the risk group that will be most affected by swine flu?
Babies (under two years of age), pregnant women, elderly people over 65 years of age, patients with chronic diseases People with liver and kidney failure and those with weak immune systems constitute the risk group that will be most affected.
Is it Enough to Get the Seasonal Flu Vaccination to Protect from Swine Flu?
No.
Who Should Get the Swine Flu Vaccine?
Risk groups that are likely to have a severe infection, healthcare personnel and people who will go to countries where deaths due to swine flu are high should get this vaccine.
Are There Drugs That Treat Swine Flu (A/H1N1)?
Yes. There are medications that can be used under the supervision of a doctor to treat swine flu or to prevent this disease. These drugs should never be used without a prescription unless recommended by a doctor.
Medication use alleviates the course of the disease and can provide a faster recovery. is. In addition, the development of serious complications is prevented. Antiviral medications should be started within the first 2 days after the symptoms appear
How Long Are People Infected with the Disease Contagious?
People are contagious one day before and 7 days after the onset of symptoms. This situation can be expressed as approximately 7 days in adults and 12 days in children.
Situations Requiring Emergency Medical Assistance in Children are as follows:
• In addition to flu-like symptoms, fever and severe cough
• Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
• Restlessness
• Bluish skin color
• Inability to wake up or respond to stimuli
• Inability to drink enough fluids
• Rash
Situations Requiring Urgent Medical Assistance in Adults Are:
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion of consciousness
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
br /> • Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath It can contaminate surfaces such as
. If a person touches a place contaminated with the virus and then touches his/her mouth, eyes or nose, the virus can be transmitted. There are many factors such as temperature, humidity rate and surface quality that affect how long the virus can survive on these surfaces. These
surfaces that the sick person has contacted should not be touched, and if touched for any reason, hands should be washed.
Can Swine Flu (A/H1N1) Virus be Transmitted through Water?
Depending on the findings of contamination by drinking, using and pool water
What Should Be Considered When Cleaning Houses and Furniture?
In order to prevent the spread of the flu virus, daily cleaning of surfaces (tables, door handles, bathroom surfaces, kitchen countertops, toys, etc.) It is sufficient to clean it with the detergents used. Apart from the cleaning agents we use daily
, some
chemicals such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, iodine antiseptics and alcohol are also effective.
Patient sheets, underwear, towels and utensils should be kept separately. There is no need to wash it. However, these
items should not be used by anyone else without being washed. These sheets should be handled and washed as much as possible without touching them by hand. After changing the patient's sheets and underwear, hands should be washed with soap and water. The patient's utensils should be washed either in the dishwasher or by hand using detergent.
How can we be protected from Swine Flu (A/H1N1)?
By taking the following precautions, not only the flu; You can protect yourself
from all respiratory diseases such as flu:
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing. Throw your tissue in the wastebasket after using
• Wash your hands with plenty of soap and water after coughing and sneezing. Hand wash
antiseptics containing alcohol are also effective
• Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands
• If you catch swine flu, wait 7 days after the onset of symptoms or one day after your symptoms completely
disappear.
• Stay away from the people around you to prevent the disease from being transmitted. You should wash it with soap and water. You can use hand antiseptics containing alcohol
in places where you cannot reach water and soap.
Swine Flu (A/H1N1)
Should We Be Doomed and Swayed by the Wind of Panic? Or Should We Act As Conscious Individuals?
What we need to pay attention to as individuals is to understand the importance of hygiene...
This is an important issue not only in "stormy" periods when diseases come to the fore, but at every moment of our lives< br /> must have a place... Our cleaning habits, which seem simple and that most of us assume we know, but unfortunately are done superficially in practice... However, when every individual pays a little more attention to personal hygiene, we will encounter negative examples in society. will also decrease automatically. Thus,
the "list of things to be considered" mentioned in large fonts in the headline of the agenda is an already existing fixture in our
lives.
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