May
27
According to the latest numbers, more than 10,000 cases of swine flu have been counted worldwide, but we’re hearing less and less about it — almost as if, suddenly, there’s nothing to be worried about. So, are you still at risk? Is swine flu going to come back? Dr. Susy Hota, an infectious disease expert with the University Health Network answers your questions:
Why has swine flu caused so much fear and worry?
It’s not so much swine flu itself; it doesn’t appear to be an unusual form of influenza, in terms of the way it’s acting. So far, it has caused only mild symptoms, especially here in North America. What makes it significant for researchers and health officials is that it’s a new type of influenza — the population doesn’t have any immunity to it. We don’t know how it’s going to affect people, or how it’s going to spread, so we want to keep an eye on it.
What makes swine flu different from the run-of-the-mill seasonal flu?
Clinically, the swine flu isn’t anything worse than the seasonal flu. Influenza tends to have vague symptoms that include fever, cough, runny nose, aches and chills, headache and fatigue — the same symptoms we’re seeing with swine flu, although this new strain seems to cause a bit more stomach upset. What’s different about swine flu is that it’s new — as, I said, the general population doesn’t have any immunity to it, and we don’t know how it’s going to spread.
Has the media blown the swine flu out of proportion?
There’s been a lot of coverage; maybe some sources have focused too much on the flu. But it’s a double-edged sword, because communicating the symptoms and risk factors to the public is so important. And in this case, it’s helping us track how the flu is spreading, because people who are infected are coming forward, so we can run lab tests to confirm new cases.
Are you expecting many new cases in the future?
I do think there will continue to be new cases in Canada and around the world in the weeks ahead. But we’re starting to slow down — the weather’s getting warmer in Canada, and flu bugs don’t like warm weather. It’s likely we’ll see a resurgence of swine flu in the fall, when cold-and-flu season hits. By then, we hope to have a vaccine that protects against swine flu.
How can people protect themselves now?
There are simple measures, such as washing your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. If you’re sick, stay home. The vast majority of people recover after a few days of rest — it’s not necessary to run to the hospital if you have flu symptoms. People with other complications, such as asthma, lung disease or heart disease, should see their family doctors.
For a health issue like this, where should we go to find the best, most accurate information?
That’s a good question; it’s easy to get confused by all the information out there. I always suggest that patients go straight to official sources: Provincial ministries of health post up-to-date information on their websites and issue public health alerts; the World Health Organization is another good source.
