Health Check: Flu questions and answers

As the only dedicated health reporter in the region, Health Check 10’s Barbara Morse Silva has received countless E-mail questions from viewers about the Swine Flu. She has answered them all.  Because many people have similar questions, we are now sharing some of Barbara’s answers with you.

Question:
Hello Barbara,

This Swine Flu has made me wonder… On any given day in Rhode Island, the USA or the world, how many people come down with any kind of flu?  Are there any different symptoms for Swine Flu compared to any of the other flu’s out there?  Is Swine Flu more dangerous than your average, run of the mill flu?  I know flu can kill, but what is the percent of people annually who actually die from flu?

Thank you for considering these questions.
Barbara S.

Answer:
Hi Barbara S,

Lots of great questions! First of all, it should be noted that each year, 36,000 people die from the seasonal flu!  Seniors—most often the victims.  The symptoms are the same whether you have the swine or regular flu-fever (there’s always one), cough, runny nose, aches and pains, fatigue among them, with the possible exception:  some folks with swine flu also have diarrhea and vomiting.  So far, health officials say the swine flu, IN THIS COUNTRY, has been mild. Many recovering without hospitalization. 

Hope this answers your questions. If you have further questions, I would call the Health Dept. Hotline between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday through Friday at: 401-222-8022. Be well,
Barbara

Question:
Hello Barbara,

I don’t know if this is where I ask question on the Swine Flu?  My husband is traveling to Mississippi on May 10th. He is a heart patient, had by-pass surgery in his late 40’s. Right now he undergoes some tests for stomach problems.  After knowing this information about his health do you think he should wear a mask on the airplane?  Hopefully you can answer my question,

Thank You,
Nancy M.

Answer:
Hi Nancy,

Health officials tell me no added precautions are being recommended AT THIS POINT unless folks are traveling to and from Mexico.  If your husband would feel safer, he COULD wear a mask but health officials say it’s really not necessary (and I asked YOUR question specifically)!  Hope this helps!

Question:
Hi Barbara,

How is swine flu transmitted, does it come from eating pork?

Answer:
It does not come from eating pork and it’s transmitted from person to person…sneezing, coughing, the virus can live on surfaces.  So it’s important to wash your hands often and cough/sneeze in to your arm.  And NO, you can not get this flu from eating any pork products. 

Question:
What is the incubation period for this strain of flu?  More specifically, if a person traveled to Mexico during January or February, could they be “carriers” of the swine flu without presenting with symptoms?

Thanks.
S.
Lincoln, RI

Answer:
Thanks for your question—the incubation is one to seven days… a person is considered contagious 24 hours before first symptoms and up to one week after symptoms go away!  And to be contagious, you would have to develop symptoms!

Question:
My son gets a flu shot every year because he has Asthma.  If a new Flu Shot becomes available for the Swine Flu will he need to get that shot also?

Wanda
Warwick, RI
Answer:
Currently, there is no vaccination against the swine flu.  Precautions include hand washing and staying away from anyone who is sick (coughing, sneezing etc.).  Hope this helps!

Question:
Hi Barbara,
My question has most likely been asked already and perhaps many times but, what is the longevity of an inoculation (employees at EB were offered the shot back in the seventies) and does this even matter versus say… the type of strain?

Thank you,
John of Providence
Answer:
The vaccine you refer to is no longer effective…and, in particular not effective against this new strain of swine flu!  Right now there is no vaccine for this new strain!  We have a link from our website to the RI Department of Health which may be helpful in answering any other questions!

Be well,
Barbara

Question:
We went to Cancun the 3rd week of March for Spring break and everyone came back with diarrhea that would come and go for weeks… is there anything to be worried about?  Most of us didn’t have a fever or any other symptoms.

Kris

Answer:
It doesn’t sound like you have anything to worry about since you had no other symptoms.  For more information, check the Rhode Island Department of Health Web site.

Hope this helps!
Barbara

Question:
Hi Barbara,
I received a swine flu shot years ago. I cannot remember the year but they were giving shots to the public at the Pawtucket Armory. Would you know how long the shot would be effective…and if the shot is for all strains of the swine flu?

Thank you,
Linda

Answer:
Hi Linda,

The swine flu shot given years ago is NOT effective against the swine flu circulating now! 

Thanks for turning to 10!
Barbara Morse Silva