Frequently asked questions
What is swine flu?
What are the signs and symptoms of human swine flu in people?
What should I do if I develop symptoms?
What should I do if my child develops flu symptoms?
How is it treated?
Is there a vaccine for human swine flu?
Is this human swine flu virus contagious?
How does human swine flu spread?
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Can I get human swine flu from eating or preparing pork?
What should I do if I am travelling?
When do I need a mask?
More information
What is swine flu?
Swine influenza (swine flu or H1N1) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. The virus transmitted between people is known as human swine flu.
What are the signs and symptoms of human swine flu in people?
The main symptom of human swine flu is a fever combined with either cough or sore throat.
Other symptoms may include:
- fatigue
- headache
- muscle or joint aches and pains
- chills
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea have been reported particularly in children.
What should I do if I develop symptoms?
- If you have only mild illness and have no risk factors you do not need to go and see a doctor. You should stay at home and rest until you are well.
- Seek medical attention if you have an underlying condition.
What should I do if my child develops flu symptoms?
If your child has cold or flu-like symptoms visit your family doctor. Emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- fast breathing or trouble breathing
- bluish skin colour
- not drinking enough fluids
- not waking up or not interacting
- being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- fever with a rash
Further public health advice can be obtained from calling the National Hotline: 1802007
How is it treated?
- People with mild symptoms and no risk factors should stay at home and rest.
- Antiviral medication is limited to the most vulnerable members of the community.
Is there a vaccine for this human swine flu?
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Yes. The human swine flu vaccine (Panvax) is now available. See vaccination for information about the vaccine and where to get it.
Is this human swine flu virus contagious?
The US Centre for Disease Control has determined that this flu virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
How does human swine flu spread?
Human swine flu is mostly likely spreading the same way as seasonal flu, such as:
- being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person
- touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your mouth or nose
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
The human swine flu vaccine (Panvax) is now available. See vaccination for information about the vaccine and where to get it.
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the bin after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Australian Government website: Protecting yourself and others provides more information.
Can I get human swine flu from eating or preparing pork?
No. Human swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get human swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
What should I do if I am travelling?
If travelling overseas, you should check Smartraveller.gov.au for updates and travel advisories. Travellers should have the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine before going to countries where pandemic influenza is active.
Always wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with sick people, after coughing, sneezing or going to the toilet or before eating.
During the PROTECT phase Australia’s airports are operating normally.
When do I need a mask?
There is no need to wear a mask unless you are ill and being cared for in your home.