day national awareness campaign on swine flu began at Serafi Mega Mall here Tuesday night. The campaign is part of Health Ministry's National Plan for Preventing Flu Pandemics. Dr. Munee-rah Balahma, consultant community medical head of the education department in Jeddah Health Affairs, trained several volunteers and participants on ways to protect themselves and help others stay protected from H1N1 swine flu virus. Swine flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease that affects pigs. It is caused by one or more subtypes of type A swine flu virus. It is characterized by high morbidity rate and relatively low mortality rate (1-4 percent) in infected animals. The causative virus spreads among pigs through exposure to infected droplets expelled during breathing, direct and indirect contacts, she explained. Dr. Munee-rah Balahma said different swine flu viruses usually infect pigs, but they may penetrate the barriers separating different species to infect humans as is the case in the current epidemiology. It is actually difficult to predict the outcome of such a pandemic, since it depends on many factors including severity of infection, immunity level, protection by antibodies, and factors relative to the host. Humans usually acquire the disease through direct contact with pigs, but in many cases no evidence of such contact has been traced. Human to human transmission has been recorded but such infections are confined to people with direct contact with infected cases. The main symptoms of H1N1 swine flue virus are similar to the seasonal flu. They include fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, headache and coughing. In other cases, the symptoms may include running nose, throat inflammation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The participants and volunteers will go to all the major malls of Jeddah and distribute brochures, pamphlets. There will also be question-answer sessions. “The aim of the campaign is to spread awareness among the public about the H1N1, which is very important, especially how to protect themselves,” she said. – SG DIAGNOSIS AND PRECAUTIONS • Diagnosis is made on a sample of sputum. The disease must be diagnosed within 3-4 days of infection, but in some cases of children, the incubation period is longer – about 10 days. • The one affected by swine flu should not travel or go out in public places. • Drink lot of fresh juices, hot soup, tea and take vitamin C that will give energy and help the body fight the virus. • Wash the hands thoroughly by warm water and soap after coughing or greeting a person infected with swine flu. • Use disposable tissues when coughing. • Use masks in crowded areas, including airplanes and trains and let fresh air come in your houses.
