<font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><p align="left">Dear Indorians,</p><p align="left">&nbsp;WHO has raised the concern level and warning for Swine Flu to the highest level. Though this is not an emergency, taking good care of yourself and staying alert can prepare you to protect and save yourself from Swine Flu.</p><p align="left"><strong>Here are some Swine Flu related facts that can help protect Indore and indorians against it.</strong></p><p align="left"><strong>What is swine flu?<br /></strong></p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><strong>Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-toperson, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.</strong></font></font><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><p align="left"><strong>Is this swine flu virus contagious?<br /></strong></p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><strong>CDC US has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.</strong></font></font><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><p align="left"><strong>What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?<br /></strong></p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><strong>The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.</strong></font></font><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><p align="left"><strong>How does swine flu spread?<br /></strong></p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><strong>Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.</strong></font></font><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><p align="left"><strong>How can someone with the flu infect someone else?<br /></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font size="2">What should I do to keep from getting the flu?<br /></font></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. </font></font></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><font face="Times-Bold"><font face="Times-Bold"><font size="2">Are there medicines to treat swine flu?<br /></font></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1">Yes. Use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).</font></font></strong><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><strong>People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.</strong></font></font><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"><font face="Times-Bold" size="1"></font></font></p><p /><p align="left"><strong>How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?<br /></strong></p><p /><p><strong>What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?</strong></p></font></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><font face="Times-Roman" size="1"><strong>Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.</strong> </font></font>