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Poll: Will Swine Flu Affect Your Travels?In late April 2009, news sources began buzzing about an outbreak of a deadly swine flu that began in Mexico and has since spread to the U.S. and around the world. What exactly is swine flu -- now officially known as novel H1N1? Should you cancel any upcoming trips to Mexico? And how can you protect yourself from getting sick on your next flight? Read on for these answers and more information about the virus.
Editor's Note: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of August 2010, "the H1N1 influenza virus has moved into the post-pandemic period. However, localized outbreaks of various magnitudes are likely to continue."
Q. What is H1N1 (swine flu)?
A. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus that "was originally referred to as 'swine flu' because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs." The virus contains gene segments from North American, Asian and European swine viruses, North American bird flu viruses, and human flu viruses.
Q. What are the symptoms?
A. Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal influenza. According to the CDC, they include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and possibly diarrhea and vomiting. If you already have a chronic medical condition, this flu may cause that condition to worsen.
Q. How is the flu transmitted?
A. Influenza A (H1N1) is transmitted from person to person much the way seasonal flu spreads, mainly through the coughing or sneezing of infected people. Says the CDC, "Sometimes people may become infected by touching something -- such as a surface or object -- with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose." It is not transmitted via food, such as pork or pork products.
Q. Where have swine flu cases been found?
A. By now, novel H1N1 is a global phenomenon, and cases have been confirmed in most countries around the world.
Q. Is there a cure?
A. A vaccine against the flu is now available. Two prescription antiviral drugs, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir), have been shown to be effective against the flu.
Q. How can I stay healthy?
A. The best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with sick people. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water (or alcohol-based cleaners), and avoid touching your nose, eyes or mouth. Should you get sick, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the flu to other people. If you need to go out in public, consider wearing a face mask.
For more information, see our story on avoiding germs on planes.
Q. Will my cruise be affected?
A. Maybe. Cruise lines are no longer canceling cruises due to swine flu outbreaks. However, it should be noted that individual ports -- including the Whitsundays, Port Douglas and Cairns in Australia, and St. Lucia, Antigua, Grenada and Barbados in the Caribbean -- have turned away cruise ships with suspected cases of the illness onboard.
In addition, cruise lines are adopting measures to prevent the virus from coming onboard or spreading through cruise ships. All cruise lines that are members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) -- which includes the biggies like Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean as well as smaller lines like AMAWATERWAYS and SeaDream Yacht Club -- have agreed to issue public health questionnaires to all passengers, crewmembers and visitors prior to embarkation and have medical staff screen anyone exhibiting flu-like symptoms. Passengers and crew who come down with the flu while the cruise is in progress will be isolated and treated.
Cruise line infirmaries have stocked up on appropriate medical equipment and antiviral medications to effectively treat anyone who comes down with swine flu while onboard. And whenever an outbreak is suspected, cruise ships will undertake an enhanced sanitization and cleansing routine to prevent a further spreading of the illness.
Q. Where can I find more information?
A. The following sites are the best places to find information about swine flu as it emerges:
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--written by Erica Silverstein and Sarah Schlichter