The recent outbreak of swine flu has people in Ohio and
elsewhere talking...
Before you visit your local county fair, arm yourself with
facts about the swine flu (H3N2):
• Most of
the current cases resulted from direct contact with sick pigs, but there are
some cases where the virus spread from person-to-person contact
• It's not
a food-borne disease and does not come from eating or handling pork
• This new
flu strain has a gene from the 2009 H1N1 flu strain that could allow the
illness to spread from person-to-person, so a vaccine is being developed
• In most
cases, the swine flu is caused by breathing in the virus from a sick pig who is
coughing or sneezing or by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and
then touching your eyes, nose or mouth
The CDC recommends being cautious around pigs at petting
zoos, county fairs or farms by:
• Washing
your hands frequently after exposure
• Avoiding
eating in animal areas
• Avoiding
exposure to pigs and barns if you're at high risk for flu complications (i.e.,
children under 5, adults age 65 or older, pregnant women and people with
asthma, diabetes, heart disease or weakened immune systems)
If you experience H3N2 flu symptoms--fever, coughing,
sneezing or body aches--schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider
immediately. He or she will decide if you need flu testing or an anti-viral
medication. If you have any symptoms, stay home from work or school.
Remember, washing your hands is one of the best ways to
avoid getting sick or spreading germs to others. Wash your hands often with
soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent
alcohol.
For more information, please visit these links at the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:
• http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing
• http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/
• http://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/h3n2v_us_cases.htm
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