By Craig McQueen

It’s been more than a week since details emerged of the first case of swine flu in Scotland. Since then, the news has been dominated by the story as cases are reported all over the world.

But while only a handful of people at home have contracted the virus, there are steps that all of us can take to stop it spreading.

What is swine flu?

It’s a respiratory disease that has some elements of a virus found in pigs. However, there is no evidence of it circulating in pigs in the UK.

Swine flu has been confirmed in a number of countries and it is spreading from human to human, which could lead to what is referred to as a pandemic.

Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu because it’s a new flu virus that appears in humans and spreads quickly from person to person worldwide.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely monitoring cases of swine flu globally to see whether the virus develops into a pandemic.

Because it’s a new virus, no one will have immunity to it and everyone could be at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well as older people, young children and those who already have medical conditions.

How does it spread?

Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that can be spread through the droplets that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.

When you cough or sneeze without using a tissue to cover your nose and mouth, those droplets can spread and others will be at risk of breathing them in.

If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are then easily spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch, and they can live on those surfaces for some time.

Everyday items such as door handles, keyboards, phones and remote controls are all common surfaces where flu viruses can be found. If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, the germs can enter their system and they can become infected.That’s how all cold and flu viruses, including swine flu, are passed on from person to person.

What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?

An epidemic is a sudden outbreak of disease that spreads through a single population or region in a short amount of time.

A pandemic occurs when there is a rapidly-spreading epidemic of a disease that affects most countries and regions of the world..

What have the UK Government been doing to prepare?

The Government have been planning for a flu pandemic for a number of years, and the UK plan has been identified as one of the best by the World Health Organisation.

While the current situation is serious, there’s good reason for us to be confident that we can deal with it. Thanks to the work of scientists who have studied previous pandemics, we know more about how to stop the virus spreading.

Is there a cure?

There is no cure, but there is a stockpile of anti-viral drugs, including Tamiflu and Relenza, which is large enough to treat more than 33million people. That’s half the UK population.

There are plans to increase this.

Anti- viral drugs are not a cure, but they can help you recover if taken within 48 hours of symptoms developing by:

Relieving some symptoms . Reducing the length of time you are ill by around a day.

Reducing the potential for serious complications, such as pneumonia.

Is there a vaccination?

Not at this stage. This type of flu is not the same as seasonal flu. It involves a new type of virus. A vaccine can only be developed when the specific strain has been identified, and it would then take several months to produce. The UK Government have agreements in place with manufacturers so that we can get stocks as soon as possible after a vaccine has been developed.

Can I still travel?

Currently, the Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Mexico, while travellers to other affected countries should check for updates. Links to appropriate Government agencies in those countries are given on www.scotland.gov.uk/ swineflu In addition, local media reports should be monitored for any developments. All travellers are advised to follow the same general hygienic steps given above to stop it spreading

Can I still eat pork products?

Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food.You can’t get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

What else can I do?

There are other useful actions you can take: . Set up a network of “flu friends”.

Flu friends are neighbours, friends and relatives who can help if you get ill. For example, they could collect medicines, food and other supplies for you.

Keep up to date with the latest information on swine flu and follow public health advice and instructions.

. As the situation changes, you should keep up to date by watching TV, listening to the radio and checking the internet.

What should I do if I have just returned from Mexico or another affected country and I think I might have swine flu?

Stay at home. Check your symptoms on www.nhs24.com if possible.

Call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice.

. If you are still concerned, call your GP.

Call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24. They will give you advice on your symptoms and the next steps you should take.

Do I need a face mask? There have been many pictures of face masks being given out.

However, scientific evidence shows these basic face masks don’t stop people from becoming infected.

Masks are only effective if they are of an appropriate type, changed frequently, removed properly and disposed of safely. The best way to protect yourself is by using and disposing of tissues and washing hands.

VOICE OF SCOTLAND

Here we speak to Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Harry Burns about swine flu and the steps everyone can take to avoid infection

THE number of confirmed cases of swine flu across the world is really quite small at present, but the problem is that it’s a new virus and we are always concerned about them.

If people don’t have resistance to a virulent new virus, they can cause a whole series of health complications and even death. Swine flu has also shown signs of spreading between people, so we are taking it very seriously.

It is hard to say just how swine flu differs from other strands of flu because there have been so few documented cases.

The real worry over the past few years has been avian flu. That’s because, even although it is very difficult to contract avian flu as it doesn’t travel from person to person, when someone does get it, the mortality rate is around 50 per cent.

At the moment, it is almost impossible to say what kind of mortality swine flu has, partly because the information coming out Mexico really isn’t clear enough, which means everything happening now is all about precautions.

While microbiologists round the world are looking at the molecular structure of this virus, trying to judge propensity to cause problems against other viruses that we have seen, we are taking precautions in case there is a poor outcome. But at the moment it is too early to if this is any worse than any other seasonal flu.

We actually suspect that a lot of people in Mexico have had it and recovered without even realising they have had it.

We actually suspect that a lot of people in Mexico have had it and recovered without even realising they have had it.

Anyone who suspects they might have swine flu will only find out through sophisticated testing. It is a bit early to tell exactly what the symptoms are, but it is unlikely they will be that different from ordinary flu.

One important point is that, as we come out of winter, we get lots of viruses and the tendency is to simply say that we have the flu, when in actual fact we don’t.

Flu symptoms include bad muscle pain, high temperatures, sore throat and loss of appetite. Anyone who has those and has been in contact with someone who had been to an infected area, or who has visited an infected area themselves, should contact their doctor.

But as I said, the numbers of cases at the moment are still very small so people should be more concerned with taking precautionary methods.

That means maintaining good hygiene standards and having some consideration for others by not coughing and spluttering over them.

Use a disposable tissue to cough or sneeze, then bin it. Remember the liquids from your nose and mouth can contain the virus and they can live on surfaces such as tables.

Someone else touching that table and then touching their mouth could easily pick up the flu, so it is vital to capture coughs and sneezes.

Washing your hands regularly is also very important in case you have picked up any of these germs. By observing these precautions, you should hopefully stay safe.

© 2009 Daily Record; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.

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