Swine flu

Stay one step ahead with our quick guide

What is swine flu?
Swine flu, or A/H1N1, is a new strain of flu virus, a disease with symptoms very similar to seasonal flu. At the moment, scientists aren't sure where it's from, how serious it is or who is most at risk. One thing we do know is that washing your hands regularly with soap and water is one of the best ways to protect yourself from infection.

How does swine flu spread?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads from person-to-person in the following way:
  1. An infected person coughs or sneezes.
  2. Virus-carrying droplets fly into the air and infect others through the eyes, nose or mouth.
  3. If an infected person catches a sneeze with their hands but doesn't wash their hands afterwards, they start spreading the virus to surfaces and people they touch.
  4. If someone touches a contaminated surface (like a doorknob, elevator button, or bus door handle) with their hands, then touches their eyes, nose or mouth, they can also become infected.
  5. Once the swine flu virus is on your hands, you may accidentally spread it to other people, objects and surfaces, even if you don't get sick yourself.

What are the signs and symptoms of A/H1N1?
Swine flu symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of infected people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Like seasonal flu, it can cause severe illness and death in some cases.
What can I do to protect my home from swine flu?
  • Catch coughs and sneezes in a clean tissue and throw the tissue safely in the bin.
  • If you haven't got a tissue, use your hands but wash them thoroughly with soap straight away.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly & frequently with soap, especially after being in crowded public places and around food.
  • Wash your hands well with plenty of soap and dry them with a clean towel.
  • Treat your hands as contaminated. Don't touch them to your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Don't shake hands or get too close to someone who seems unwell.
  • If you feel ill, stay at home and call your doctor for advice.
Why is handwashing with soap and water important?
Organisations like the Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation recommend that people wash their hands with soap and water thoroughly and often to help prevent infection from swine flu. Washing hands regularly with soap and water can help protect both against direct contact (for example, shaking hands with an infected person who has touched his mouth or nose) and indirect contact (for example, touching a doorknob handled by an infected person) with the flu virus.
Why isn't it enough to wash with water alone?
Washing hands with water alone, a more common practice, is significantly less effective than washing hands with soap. Using soap adds to the time spent washing and breaks down the grease and dirt that carry most germs by facilitating the rubbing and friction that dislodge them, and leaves hands smelling pleasant.

"Still doubting the importance of soap in handwashing?"
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How often do I need to wash my hands?
An infected person can be contagious for one day before feeling sick and up to 7 days afterwards (in children this might be even longer). So even if you don't feel sick you should still practice good hygiene and wash your hands with soap and water regularly and thoroughly, especially on the following occasions:

Before
  • Preparing, serving or eating food, especially meat.
After
  • Coming home from work or school.
  • Being out in public or crowded places.
  • Preparing, serving or eating food.
  • Shaking hands with people exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
  • Coughing or sneezing.
  • Handling animals.
  • Going to the toilet.

 

Are you washing your hands correctly?
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How to wash your hands

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Current status of swine flu

World Health Organisation
latest update »