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According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 40 human cases of swine influenza have been confirmed in the United States. No cases have been confirmed in South Carolina.
In the interest of public health Beaufort Memorial Hospital has made information about swine flu available on its Web site at www.bmhsc.org under “Breaking News.”
General information about the swine flu:
What is swine flu?
Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.
How do you catch swine flu?
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.
Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
What are the swine flu symptoms?
Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
Please call your personal physician with any questions or concerns or if you have minor symptoms. Only visit the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Emergency Room if sent by your doctor or if your symptoms are severe.
