Swine Flu Update
Swine Flu and You: Essential Information
Dr Kevin Rebe
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a new strain of influenza virus causing mainly respiratory (chest) symptoms. This virus has not previously been seen in humans but has now caused cases of flu in many countries worldwide. Many cases have been confirmed in South Africa and the virus is being transmitted in the community. The virus is called the Influenza A H1N1 strain and the World Health Organisation has officially named the outbreak as Pandemic Influenza A, although most people continue to refer to it as swine flu.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Most infections result in mild to moderate flu symptoms but severe illness and fatal cases have been reported worldwide. Common swine flu symptoms include a fever of more than 38º C, cough, headache, muscle and body ache, sore throat and nasal congestion. Symptoms usually start suddenly and the illness is mild but there are some danger signs, hinting that the illness may be progressive. These severe symptoms include any difficulty breathing, chest pain, worsening cough with yellow-green sputum, vomiting and diarrhoea and symptoms lasting longer than three days with no improvement. Mild swine flu is difficult to differentiate from ordinary seasonal flu without expensive swabs and laboratory testing. Confirming the diagnosis of swine flu in mild cases is not necessary as it does not influence treatment, however, moderate and severe cases should probably be confirmed.
Am I in danger of swine flu if I am HIV positive?
People with other medical conditions are at more risk of contracting severe swine flu. These conditions include diabetes, lung conditions such as asthma, and possibly HIV disease. There is no medical research data available about the interaction between HIV and swine flu. It is however sensible to consider HIV as a risk factor for developing severe swine flu. People with a CD4 count lower than 200 may be at particular risk. As such, all HIV-positive patients who develop sudden worsening of a chest infection must be considered as having possible swine flu and should see a doctor.
What will happen if I am exposed to or diagnosed with swine flu?
People who may have been exposed to others with swine flu may be at risk of getting the infection. These people do not need routine prophylaxis (preventative therapy) unless they are considered by their doctor to have a particularly high risk of complicated disease.
People who develop mild flu symptoms and have no other medical illnesses should preferably stay at home and limit contact with others. Symptomatic flu remedies and pain relief medication should be used to decrease symptoms. Tissues should be used when coughing and sneezing and regular hand washing is important to prevent spread to others in the household. Anti-viral treatment may be considered and is probably recommended for people who are HIV positive.
If the symptoms become more severe or the fever lasts for more than three days, severe swine flu is more likely. These patients should be assessed by a medical doctor for possible hospital admission. Admitted patients are likely to be swabbed to confirm the diagnosis and will be treated with anti-viral medication and sometimes antibiotics will be used to treat complicating bacterial infections.
Can swine flu be treated?
Most mild cases of swine flu do not need specific treatment as the diseases resolves on its own. More severe infections can be successfully treated with an anti-viral medication called Tamiflu. It is advisable that HIV-positive patients with probable swine flu should receive Tamiflu. Stocks of this drug are in short supply and you may need to search retail pharmacies to find stock. Tamiflu is available at state hospitals for severe cases only.
Although the current flu vaccine will not prevent swine flu, there are vaccines being developed that will protect against this virus. It is likely that the 2010 flu vaccine will provide protection.
Dr Kevin Rebe is a specialist in infectious diseases and heads the medical team at Health4Men’s Ivan Toms Centre for Men’s Health. This clinic, based in Woodstock, offers free sexual health care to gay men, including HIV and STI screenings, CD4 counts and even free ARV treatment. Call 021 447 2844 for an appointment.
Health4Men Info
Join the Health4Men team for a free, fun and in-depth seminar entitled The Ass Class at 9:30pm on Thursday, September 17 at the Hot House. The talk covers anal psychology and all the inner workings that you need to know about.
Social Meet for Cape Town Poz Guys is a relaxed social event for guys living with HIV. It starts at 7pm on Saturday, September 26 at BarCode in Cobern Street, De Waterkant.
A new HIV supportgroupstarts on Wednesday, September 16 at 6.30pm in De Waterkant. Call Glenn on 021-425-6463 for more details.
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