What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Are there human infections with swine flu in the U.S.?

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?

CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?

Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenzacontagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?

We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

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

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Severe or persistent vomiting

How serious is swine flu infection?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Links to non-federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the federal government, and none should b inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.

1: Encourage everyone to wash their hands frequently. The best way to prevent any germ causing sickness is to wash hands frequently. Also, providing waterless hand sanitizers should be an excellent suggestion for offices or high traffic public areas such as supermarkets, theaters, etc.

Make sure that your facility has ample soap in the restroom and other washing locations, such as kitchens and other sink locations and make sure to have clean paper towels to dry their hands.

2: If any of your employees show symptoms of swine flu, do not let him come to work. Instead, he should be checking with a doctor right away.

3: All of your cleaning crew must wear gloves to protect themselves when cleaning.

If you want your cleaning people to wear a mask and goggles, that is up to you (See instruction for scrub mode cleaning).

Do not rub eyes, nose, and mouth while doing the work.

4: Your facility should be cleaned with EPA registered disinfectant cleaner.

Give special attention to highly touched environmental surfaces such as public showers, bathtubs, sink fixtures, sink counter tops, light fixtures, doorknobs, door panels, restroom dispensers (soap, towel, tissue, sani-nap, hand, etc.), phones, elevator buttons, number pads, escalator handrails, computer key boards (if used by many) and hand rails, all gym equipment that are shared, counter tops of public offices, to just name a few.

Note: If it is for prevention mode: Use EPA Registered disinfectant cleaner and dilute in a bucket of clean water. Rinse your clean towel and thoroughly wipe the following items at least once a day. Option to mix disinfectant cleaner into a spray bottle and light mist the items you want to clean and wipe off (if time permits, leave it on the surface up to 7 minutes for kill time and wipe off) with clean towel.

Give special attention to highly touched environmental surfaces such as public showers, bathtubs, sink fixtures, sink counter tops, light fixtures, doorknobs, door panels, restroom dispensers (soap, towel, tissue, sani-nap, hand, etc.), phones*, elevator buttons*, number pads*, escalator handrails*, computer key boards* (if used by many) and handrails, all gym equipment that are shared, countertops of public offices, to just name a few.

Note: Kitchen will follow regular cleaning procedure of using sanitizer. Cafeteria will use sanitizer cleaner to clean tables, chairs, countertops, serving areas, register areas, etc.

Note: In small office settings, you may also use disinfectant wipes or sanitizing wipes to wipe off counter tops, doorknobs, door handles, handrails, phones, etc.

Note: Class rooms in schools can use sanitizer cleaner as an option.

*Note: Any electronic items such as phone key pads, elevator key pads, computer key boards, light switches, etc.: Do not spray any liquid cleaning solution directly into/onto it, it could cause damage.

If it is scrub mode (If there is a reported case of H1N1 A Flu): You must wear masks, gloves and goggle (If regular flu; wear gloves, mask is optional).

Use EPA registered disinfectant cleaner. Dilute solution into a spray bottle as recommended by the manufacturer. Spray (as mist) public shower, bathtubs, sink fixtures, sink countertops, light fixtures, doorknobs, door panels, restroom dispensers (soap, towel, tissue, sani-nap, hand, etc), phones, elevator buttons, number pads, escalator handrails, computer keyboards (if used by many) and handrails, all gym equipment that are shared, countertops of public offices, etc.

Note: Such as counter tops, sinks, bathtubs, faucets, and any other horizontal surfaces that are touched by humans must be cleaned with disinfectant cleaner and let it sit for 10 minutes, before wiping off with clean towel for complete kill time (if possible). (Do not spray liquid cleaning solution over wood or any electronic item. The surface could be damaged).

If it is a heavy traffic area such as shopping malls, large office building, schools, repeat every 3 to 4 hours, especially public restrooms, food court table and chairs, entrance doors and etc.

If it is a severe case, everything that is touched by humans should be wiped off as described in prevention mode. Such as schools and other places that have items which are shared with other people/kids on constant basis, these must be wiped off with disinfectant cleaner and repeat as needed.

Optional: Door handles, knobs, hand rails, sink faucets, restroom dispensers, can be sprayed lightly with aerosol disinfectant spray. This does not need to be wiped off. If you do, leave on for at least 7 minutes .

Although there are currently no EPA products registered for the specific viruses associated with swine flu, if any disinfectant cleaner has label claimed for the associated influenza A virus, this should be helpful.

Note: Do not spray liquid disinfectant directly into phone, key boards, and other electronic products, you could damage it. Instead , use disinfectant aerosol sprayer or damp wipe (not super wet towel- after rinsing, gently squeegee the towel enough so that no liquid should be coming out of the towel as you wipe the surface).

For disinfectant to be effective, it must stay on the surface for 7-10 minutes.

PHONES

1: Spray aerosol disinfectant sprayer on a clean towel and wipe the phone thoroughly.

2: Spray aerosol disinfectant spray lightly over the mouth piece, ear piece, handle, and key pad.

3: If you are cleaning a public phone booth, clean the surface around the panel with disinfectant cleaner and wipe off after 7 to 10 minutes.

ELEVATOR KEY PADS

1: Spray mist the disinfectant cleaner on to a clean towel and wipe off the key pads gently and clean.

** Do not spray directly on to the key pads. It could cause damage.

ESCALATOR RAILINGS

1: Use disinfectant cleaner and dilute in a bucket of clean water. Rinse your clean towel and wipe the railing up and down two times. Do not use alcohol based cleaner for the rubber railing. It could damage the railing’s shine.

COMPUTER KEY BOARDS

In most cases, the office staff does not want the cleaners to touch their key boards. However, if you were asked to do it, do the following:

1: Spray aerosol disinfectant spray lightly over the key board and leave it.

(Note: Computer key boards are normally not cleaned by cleaning contractors).

After cleaning is done, make sure to wash your hand thoroughly with hand soap and wipe off with paper towels.

For individual protection, these are steps recommended by officials.

1: Wash hands often with hand soap or use hand sanitizer.

2: Dry your hands with clean paper towel, if you are using public restrooms.

3: Do not touch dispenser’s handles or door knobs. Use paper towel instead.

Please educate all of your employees on this proper cleaning procedure and make sure that they follow through. It is for their own protection.

Cleaning of high touch hard surfaces with a good detergent or an EPA registered disinfectant is important. Cleaning actually aids in the physical removal of the virus from the surface. This is more important than the disinfection or deactivation of the virus.

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