Best Health, in partnership with The Guardian offers freely available information and answers to questions about swine flu.
Produced by the BMJ Group, Best Health (formerly Best Treatments) explains which treatments work and which do not. Information is based on the best and latest research. The Best Health team has merged the finest research about swine flu and reviewed the evidence about prevention and treatment. Some of the important points are:
• Will the swine flu vaccine protect me?
The swine flu vaccine is likely to offer some protection against the disease. It is unlikely to cause any serious side effects.
• Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women?
There are no reports of the vaccine causing harm in pregnant women or their babies. It is strongly advised that pregnant women get the vaccine because they are at higher risk of serious complications from flu.
• Are antiviral drugs efficient?
Treatments that are likely to work if you have swine flu are the antiviral drugs: oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
These drugs are not a cure for flu. They may reduce the duration of the illness by one or two days. They also reduce the risk of getting complications from flu, such as pneumonia.
• What is the best way to avoid catching swine flu?
The best way to avoid catching swine flu (or any other type of cold or flu) is to wash hands regularly with soap and hot water. It is especially important after touching objects that many of other people have touched (such as a handrail on public transport, a public telephone), after sneezing and coughing into a tissue or hands, after using the toilet, and before eating or preparing food.
There is no need to use special hand-washes or alcohol hand rubs for protection from the virus. One study revealed that washing hands with soap and water is equally or more efficient in removing flu virus from people’s hands, than alcohol hand rubs.
• Will wearing a mask protect me?
There is no evidence that wearing masks on the street, or while going about daily business, will offer protection against swine flu. Most masks are designed to stop from passing on the germs that are breathed out, and not to stop germs from getting in. Masks might be helpful if a person has swine flu to avoid contagion to caregivers, or when caring for someone at home with swine flu.
Written by Stephanie Brunner (B.A.)