Prevention (4)
- Survival kit: Stock up on essentials for a disaster
- Disaster planning: Things you can do to stay healthy
- H1N1 flu (swine flu) vaccine Q & A
- see all in Prevention
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Mayo Clinic expert answers your questions on H1N1 flu (swine flu)
By James M. Steckelberg, M.D.
The swine flu pandemic has got a lot of people worried. Should you be one of them? The following interview with James Steckelberg, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., may help answer some of your questions.
A pandemic sounds pretty scary. Should I be worried?
The novel H1N1 swine influenza virus is new to humans, so natural immunity is limited, particularly if you're younger than 65. Past experience has shown potential for new strains of flu (influenza) to spread extensively — as novel H1N1 influenza, commonly called swine flu, has done. As the annual cold-weather flu season takes shape in the Northern Hemisphere, H1N1 influenza is becoming widespread in many parts of the United States. I think people should be appropriately concerned about influenza and stay informed.
Can I catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Cooking to an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C) kills the virus. So eating properly cooked pork is safe. Swine flu is spread like any other respiratory disease, via droplets from sneezes and coughs, and by hands.
If I get the seasonal flu shot in the fall, am I safe from swine flu?
No. The seasonal flu shot targets three influenza viruses from previous years' flu outbreaks. The targeted viruses change each year, based on recommendations from virologists, immunologists and public health experts. When novel H1N1 swine flu was identified, the vaccine for the 2009-2010 flu season was in production. This vaccine is still as important as ever, but it won't protect you from swine flu. A separate vaccine has been developed for novel H1N1 swine flu.
Next page(1 of 2)
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 27, 2009.
- Swine influenza and you. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- Swine influenza frequently asked questions. World Health Organization. http://www.wo.int/csr/disease/swineflu/faq/en/index.html. Accessed April 27, 2009.
- H1N1 flu: Questions and answers - Novel H1N1 influenza vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm. Accessed July 28, 2009.
- Interim guidance on antiviral recommendations for patients with confirmed or suspected swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and close contacts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm. Accessed April 27, 2009.
