As family caregivers, we are the first line of defense for our care recipients when it comes to protecting them from things such as the flu, so with the current concerns about Swine Flu going around, I thought it would be a good idea to do a little research about just what Swine Flu is and what family caregivers should know about keeping their care recipients safe and healthy.

Swine Flu, or H1N1 Influenza, is a respiratory disease of pigs that is caused by type A influenza virus. This is a common flu among swine, and is most often seen in outbreaks during the fall and winter months – just as the normal flu season for humans. The H1N1 was first isolated from a pig in 1930, so it’s been around a good while.

H1N1 is, like all influenza viruses, constantly changing and adapting itself. Since pigs are able to carry viruses that affect not only swine, but human and even avian, the pig is a perfect host in which these viruses can undergo alterations that result in a new influenza virus being generated.

While most viruses generated from pigs are the H1N1 virus, there are other types that have been isolated from pigs: H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1

The H1N1 normally does not spread to humans, however, it can happen. Most cases are from direct contact such as “children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry”* The news has said that one of the factors in this outbreak that is different is that the virus is spreading human to human, however, according to the CDC this is not the first time that has occurred.

…an outbreak of apparent H1N1 flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

The symptoms of H1N1 in humans is similar to any flu virus and can include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. The CDC reports that some that have contracted Swine Flu have also reported symptoms that include runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The primary factor with the Swine Flu, according to news reports, is to stay calm unless you would have normally sought medical aid, if you would have gone to the doctor with the symptoms you experience were it normal flu, then go, if you would not have gone to the doctor then you are safe continuing treatment at home. I would suggest anyone that has a care recipient contact the care recipient’s doctor and go with the doctor’s advice, and if you have the flu, take normal precaution to avoid spreading it to your care recipient since the standard flu vaccine is ineffective against Swine Flu.

It is important to note that Swine Flu can not be contracted by eating pork. The process of cooking pork, to an internal temperature of 160°F, kills bacteria and viruses – including the H1N1 flu virus. The Swine Flu is contracted just as normal flu is, through sneezing, coughing, and touching of infected items then touching your nose or mouth.

The CDC has a page of information to help you care for a sick family member at home. Be sure to read the entire page before you need it, then review it if you need to care for a sick person at home. Or print it out and keep it tucked into the medicine cabinet.

The page includes information on how Swine Flu spreads, medications that can help lessen symptoms (check with your care recipient’s doctor or pharmacist on what they can take with their current medications), how to lessen change of spreading the flu to others in the home, and how to care for laundry/dishes/etc in the home.

Basic points to keep in mind are as with any cold or flu:

• wash hands often
• cover up if you cough or sneeze
• use antibacterial hand sanitizers when you can’t wash hands readily
• ask others to reduce visitation with care recipient if they are sick and for up to two weeks after symptoms subside

As stated, if your care recipient shows symptoms of the flu, contact your care recipient’s primary care physician for specifics on what to do in your care recipient’s particular situation, and if you would have normally taken them to the doctor, take them now.

Also, be sure to check with your care recipient’s doctor and/or pharmacist before giving any over the counter medications to be certain there is no conflict with the medications they take – then doublecheck yourself at the Safe Medication website – a medications website by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®.

* – http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/key_facts.htm

For more help see:

• CDC: Facts about Swine Flu

• CDC: caring for sick family member at home
• Safe Medication