About human swine flu
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (human swine flu) is a mild illness in most people, however pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of more severe illness.
Symptoms
Symptoms of human swine flu are similar to those of normal seasonal influenza, and most commonly include a fever combined with a cough and or sore throat.
Other symptoms may include:
- fatigue
- headache
- runny or congested nose
- muscle or joint aches and pains
- chills
Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea have also been reported, particularly in children.
Seasonal flu or human swine flu?
- There is always a background level of flu in the community.
- Rates of seasonal flu have been low in the general population of Western Australia over winter, with nearly all cases of flu being due to the human swine flu virus.
- WA Health recommends that people get their usual flu vaccinations, particularly those 65 years and older, people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women in their second or third trimester and children.
- There is also a free seasonal flu vaccine for young children aged 6 months to 4 years in Western Australia. To find out more, speak to your GP.
- A vaccine against human swine flu (Panvax) is now available.
- People with influenza-like illnesses should stay at home and not go to school or work in order to avoid spreading the infection.
- If symptoms are severe, people who are ill or parents of ill children should seek medical advice.
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Human Swine Flu)
- Human swine flu is a new strain of influenza A virus that contains elements of influenza viruses from humans, pigs and birds.
- The human swine flu virus spreads easily from person to person and there have been high attack rates in the population as most people do not have any immunity to this strain.
- The symptoms of human swine flu are similar to those of normal seasonal influenza. Most people have a relatively mild illness and are sick for around 2 to 4 days, and make a complete recovery.
How to avoid the flu
A vaccine against human swine flu (Panvax) is now available to all Western Australians aged 10 years and over. Vaccination is voluntary, but everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their families from human swine flu.
The normal seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against human swine flu infection, but will protect against seasonal influenza. Similarly, the human swine flu vaccine will not protect against seasonal influenza strains, so to be well protected against influenza you will need to have both vaccines. Many Western Australians will have already had the seasonal influenza vaccine in recent months, but will need to have another dose before next winter.
The antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza have proven effective in treating people who contract influenza, including both the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and seasonal strains. Tamiflu is currently provided free to people with severe influenza-like illnesses and people with underlying medical conditions including pregnancy, who have an influenza-like illness.
The best way to avoid contracting the flu is to adopt effective personal hygiene habits including:
- washing your hands properly and regularly for at least 15 seconds using soap and water
- covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing
- disposing of used tissues in an enclosed bin
- maintaining a distance of at least 1 metre from people with coughing/sneezing illnesses
- avoiding school, work and public places if you have an influenza-like illness