Human Swine flu fact sheet

Page contents: What is Human Swine Flu | How does Human Swine Flu spread | What are the signs and symptoms of Human Swine Flu? | How can someone with this influenza infect someone else? | How long viruses live outside the body | How long can an infected person spread Human Swine Flu to others? | More information

The Victorian Government is now implementing the ‘Protect’ phase of the Influenza Pandemic Plan. This means a continued focus on the early treatment of people from high risk groups, and asking those people with mild-flu like symptoms to stay at home in voluntary isolation.

Visit our Questions and answers section for more information about Victoria’s ‘Protect’ phase.

This fact sheet is intended to answer some basic questions you may have about the Human Swine Flu virus.

The illness

What is Human Swine Flu?

Human Swine Flu is a respiratory disease caused by a new influenza virus.

How does Human Swine Flu spread?

Spread of Human Swine Flu virus is thought to be happening the same way seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing.

Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Human Swine Flu virus is infectious and is capable of spreading from human to human.

What are the signs and symptoms of Human Swine Flu?

The symptoms of Human Swine Influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with Human Swine Flu.

The virus has so far been mild and can be compared to the normal seasonal flu.

Like seasonal flu, Human Swine Flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How can someone with this influenza infect someone else?

Definitive information regarding the mode of transmission of Human Swine Flu is not yet available, however it seems likely that it shares the same transmission dynamics as seasonal influenza – i.e. it is most commonly spread from person-to-person by inhalation of infectious droplets produced while talking, coughing and sneezing.

Transmission may also occur through direct and indirect (fomite) contact.

The virus may remain viable on hands for 5 minutes.

How long the viruses can live outside the body

We know that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces such as tables, doorknobs and desks. Frequent handwashing will reduce the chance of contamination from these common surfaces.

How long can an infected person spread Human Swine Flu to others?

People with Human Swine Flu virus should be considered potentially infectious as long as they are symptomatic and for up to three days from the start of antiviral treatment.

Children, especially younger children, might potentially be infectious for longer periods.

More information

• Visit www.health.vic.gov.au
• Call the Swine Influenza Hotline Tel 180 2007
• Call Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 606 024 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days)

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