Swine flu: A Q-and-A

A swine-flu Q&A:

Q: What is swine flu?
A: Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of influenza are common in mammals and birds, but usually remain contained within their host species. The swine flu that originated in Mexico -- swine influenza A (H1N1) -- is a genetic mixture of viruses seen in pigs, birds and people. It is being called swine flu because it is structured like a virus that usually infects pigs.
Q: How did the flu go from pigs to humans?
A: The most likely explanation for the emergence of this new type of flu is humans living in close proximity with pigs. There are occasional reports of humans contracting swine flu, but, in this case, the virus appears to have mutated to make it easier to spread in humans.
Q: Can you get swine flu from eating pork?
A: No. This swine flu is not making pigs sick. It's making humans sick. And, by the way, you won't get the disease from eating fruits and vegetables from Mexico, either. Influenza viruses are not food-borne.
Q: I keep kosher -- no pork or pork products -- so I don't have to worry, right?
A: Again, this is a human flu; it really has nothing to do with pigs anymore. It may be worth noting that Israel's deputy health minister said Monday that the country would use the term "Mexico flu" rather than "swine flu."
Q: How is the swine flu spread?
A: Swine flu spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu -- through the coughing and sneezing of people with influenza. Infected people can infect others one day before their own symptoms begin and up to a week after becoming sick.
Q: What are the symptoms of swine flu?
A: Like the seasonal flu, swine-flu symptoms can include high fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache and stuffy nose. Swine flu also appears to cause vomiting and diarrhea. In the fatal cases, the virus attacked the lungs, causing severe pneumonia.
Q: Should I get the flu vaccine?
A: The seasonal-flu shot is unlikely to confer any protection directly against the swine flu. However, public-health officials are recommending that, if you haven't had a flu shot, get one. Despite all the media attention on swine flu, the run-of-the-mill seasonal flu is still a much greater threat to your health.
Q: Is there going to be vaccine to protect against swine flu?
A: Scientists in the United States and Canada have already isolated the swine-flu virus. They are growing this strain in eggs, which is the first stage of vaccine production. But, using current manufacturing methods, it would take three to six months to produce a vaccine in large quantities.
Q: The Spanish flu killed 20 million to 100 million people worldwide in 1918-19. Isn't it the same as swine flu -- type A influenza H1N1?
A: Influenza viruses are classified by two proteins on their surface: H for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase. The Spanish flu and the Mexican swine flu are both the H1N1 subtype, but they still have many genetic differences. Spanish flu originated in birds and Mexican swine flu in pigs. The Spanish flu had unusually severe symptoms, notably causing massive bleeding, both internal and external. There is no indication swine flu causes similar symptoms. Also, social conditions and medical knowledge today are not what they were a century ago.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
Canadian clients may not useMust credit Toronto Globe and Mail(All currency U.S.)