Swine Flu

Swine flu is the name commonly given to a new strain of flu called influenza A H1N1. Pigs just like humans are able to catch influenza but the viruses aren’t the same as human viruses. In some rare cases humans who have had direct contact with pigs have contracted swine flu but it hasn’t spread from human to human. This new strain of swine flu has mutated and is now passing from human to human without contact being made with pigs. The strain is relatively mild compared to other flu pandemics having similar effects to seasonal flu but it is highly contagious. The biggest is fear is that the new strain will mutate making it more of a threat to public health. Experts say 1 in 3 people could contract swine flu in the UK, this is equivalent to 18 million people causing up to 65,000 deaths over the winter months.

Swine flu is spread through airborne particles expelled by coughs or sneezes, these particles are then inhaled or picked up on hard surfaces by your hands and transmitted to the nose or mouth. Swine flu can survive on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours after contamination and up to 20 minutes on soft surfaces. To reduce the chances of catching or spreading swine flu people are advised to regularly wash their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is particularly useful in public places were hand washing facilities are unavailable, we recommend carrying a pocket sized version at all times.