As the international outbreak of swine flu, or 2009 H1N1 virus, continues to make headlines, many people have a variety of questions and concerns. CNN's chief medical correspondent, Sanjay Gupta, and other CNN medical producers are answering questions via the blog, “Paging Dr. Gupta,” in hopes of allaying fears and educating the public about this virus. Here are a few of the most common questions and their answers:
Q: The common flu kills tens of thousands every year—why is the swine flu such a cause for concern?
A: Experts worry that the swine flu will be harder to stop because there aren’t any vaccines to fight it. In addition, there is the fear that, over time, it could transform into something more deadly as it passes from human to human.
Q: How do you know if you are symptomatic of the common flu or swine flu?
A: The syptoms of each are very similar; however, reports suggest that swine flu virus may result in nausea, vomiting and diarrhea more often than the typical flu. But, there’s really no way to be sure which strain you have without getting tested.
Q: How long are people contagious?
A: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults who become sick not go out for at least seven days after the symptoms start. Children are considered to be contagious longer than adults, though, and can possibly remain contagious up to 14 days.
For more questions and answers, click here.
Source:
CNNHealth: Paging Dr. Gupta: Swine Flu
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