1. Are swine flu symptoms different from normal human flu?

They are similar. Swine flu is more likely to include diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as the respiratory symptoms that come with typical seasonal human flu. Symptoms include:

Chills/cough/fatigue

Fever (greater than 100F or 37.8C)

Headache and body aches

Sore throat/stuffy nose

2. How long are infected people contagious?

An adult is usually contagious as long as they have symptoms - usually up to seven days following the beginning of the illness. The 'shedding stage' of the virus is during the first four to five days of illness. Children can be considered contagious longer, up to 10 days. The initial incubation period is 24-48 hours.

3. What medications are there?

There is Tamiflu or Relenza. Both have been shown to be effective against these recently reported strains of swine flu. There are four antiviral drugs altogether that are commonly used to treat various strains of flu.

4. Do children and adults have the same symptoms?

Symptoms are similar. However, the signs of potentially life-threatening complications are not. People with these symptoms should seek emergency care immediately:

Children:

Being extremely irritable

Rapid breathing or trouble breathing

Fever with a skin rash

Not drinking enough liquids

Not waking up or interacting

Emergency warning signs in adults are:

Confusion, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, severe or persistent vomiting and sudden dizziness.

5. What if I'm on a plane? Should I wear a mask?

Not necessary. The air on a plane is filtered. Transmission might occur if someone sitting close to you coughs or sneezes on you.

The newer designs of aircraft airflow keep the air in a top-down flow, not forced air from front to back. However, if you do have a respiratory illness, it might be best not to travel.

7. How long does the germ live on surfaces, like on my desk if someone sneezes in my office?

Influenza virus survives only minutes on surfaces or hands, so these are very inefficient ways to spread the illness.

Influenza is most easily spread by droplets that come into contact with our mucous membranes such as when someone coughs or sneezes in our faces. If we shake hands with an infected person who has just wiped his nose and then rather quickly rub our nose or eyes with our own hand, we could get the flu. So, good hand washing does play a role in diminishing the spread of the disease.

8. Other than hand washing and covering my mouth, if I sneeze or cough, what can I do to take care of myself and others?

If you are ill, stay home. Control your sneezes and coughs. If you cough into your hand, remember the virus could live on your hand for at least a few minutes, so wash your hands before touching anyone else.