With the recent outbreak of H1N1 in the area, let’s review again some precautions that can be taken to keep you and your family healthy. First, what is Swine Influenza? Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type An influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

The current swine flu outbreak is due to human-to human transmission, not swine-to-human transmission.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Is there a vaccine? Currently, there is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

Is pork safe to eat? Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products are safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160�F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How to protect yourself and your family? Follow these basic steps of health hygiene:

Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too

Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Frequent hand washing with warm water and soap and scrubbing the back of the hands, wrists and between the fingers for a minimum of twenty seconds (or singing the Happy Birthday song twice) are recommended. Rinse hands under warm water and use a paper towel to turn the water off to reduce recontamination.

Hand sanitizers can be used in addition to good hand washing, but not as a substitute. The soil and dirt on your hands may actually decrease the effectiveness of sanitizers in addition to stripping the outer layer of oil from your hands. Cracking and dryness can trap germs and bacteria. There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent seven swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. More information on treatment recommendations can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/swineflu/recommendations.htm. Meanwhile stock up on cough drops, orange juice, crackers and lots of tissues. If you feel up to it, try this delicious soup to ease the symptoms.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken pieces with skin removed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 chopped onion

1 cup washed and chopped celery

3 large scrubbed, thinly sliced carrots

4 cups dry noodles

1 teaspoon thyme or sage (optional)

Instructions:

1. Thaw frozen chicken in refrigerator (about 24 hours), or thaw in microwave just before cooking soup.

2. Place chicken pieces in large kettle. Cover completely with water. Cover, bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 2-3 hours.

3. With soap and water, carefully wash your hands and any counter surfaces and equipment that came in contact with raw chicken.

4. Remove cooked chicken pieces from broth with tongs or slotted spoon.

Cool 10-15 minutes before separating bones from meat. Break meat into bite-size pieces. Remove any bones from broth.

5. Put chicken meat, seasonings and vegetables into stock.

6. Bring broth to a boil, cover, reduce heat and cook about 15-20 minutes on medium heat until sliced carrots are crispy-tender.

7. Add noodles and boil uncovered for about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to break up any noodles that might stick together.

(One cup of dry noodles (1.5 ounce) makes one cup of cooked noodles).

8. Ladle into soup bowls.

9. Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. If refrigerated, use within 2 days. When reheating, bring to a boil.

For more educational materials please visit our web site at www. http://luzerne.extension.psu.edu.

About the Author

Mary R. Ehret, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., is with Penn State Cooperative Extension, Luzerne County, 16 Luzerne Ave., West Pittston, Pa., 18643. (570) 825-1701/602-0600. Fax (570) 825-1709. mre2@psu.edu.

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