As Swine Flu is attacking almost all countries now, and lately [9] cases were found in Jordan - God Bless us all - I am sharing this as I think it might be useful for all:

Swine influenza (swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) is an infection of a host animal by any one of several specific types of microscopic organisms called "swine influenza virus". In 2009 the media labeled as "swine flu" flu caused by 2009's new strain of swine-origin A/H1N1 pandemic virus just as it had earlier dubbed as "avian flu" flu caused by the recent Asian-linage HPAI (High Pathogenic Avian Influenza) H5N1 strain that is still endemic in many wild bird species in several countries.

Swine Flu SYMPTOMS

1. Sudden fever above 38 degrees (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
2. cough
3. headache
4. aching joints
5. nasal congestion
6. general fatigue.

Swine Flu DIAGNOSIS

1. Clinical examination of secretions from the nose and mouth in the first 24-72 hours after presenting symptoms.
2. Analysis of blood samples to detect existence of influenza virus

Swine Flu TREATMENT

If a person becomes sick with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). Beside antivirals, palliative care, at home or in hospital, focuses on controlling fevers and maintaining fluid balance. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses; however, the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs. The virus isolates in the 2009 outbreak have been found resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.

Swine Flu PREVENTION

1. Wear a mask.
2. Do not greet someone with a kiss or handshake
3. do not share food
4. cutlery or glasses
5. Ventilate homes and offices
6. keep clean common items such as telephones.

Swine Flu in Jordan

Passengers asked to report to health authorities after swine flu cases discovered

Authorities asked passengers who arrived in Amman from the US and Frankfurt aboard two planes that carried passengers diagnosed with swine flu to report to Health Ministry facilities for medical checkups. The ministry said the two reported cases in Jordan travelled to Amman aboard Royal Jordanian flight 268 on June 12, and Lufthanza flight 692 on June 14. The two, who were diagnosed with H1N1 influenza, are being kept under quarantine at a hospital in Amman.
The health authorities on Wednesday reported that three more people were diagnosed with H1N1 (swine) flu which raises the number of confirmed cases in Jordan to five.

According to Ministry of Health officials, three Jordanian and two Palestinian nationals who arrived recently from the US were diagnosed with swine flu.
The three diagnosed with the flu early Wednesday were part of a group which took part in an Arab students camp in the US, according to the ministry’s Primary Healthcare Director Adel Bilbeisi. The camp brought together some 300 youths aged 16-17 years from various Arab countries, Bilbeisi told the Jordan Times.
He added that all swine flu cases reported in the Arab countries over the past days were among youths who participated in the camp, including seven in Bahrain, two in Kuwait, five in Lebanon, three in Qatar and one in Yemen.
He added that 24 Jordanian youths were in this camp and the ministry is continuously in contact with them to ensure that they are not infected.

The ministry is also following up with 22 Palestinian nationals who arrived in Amman on their way home, according to Bilbeisi.
The ministry late Monday confirmed the first two H1N1 flu cases in the Kingdom, also in arrivals from the US.
The two arrived separately on RJ Flight 268, which arrived June 12 in Amman from the US carrying 110 passengers, and Lufthansa Flight 692 which arrived in Amman June 14 from Washington via Frankfurt. The number of passengers on the Lufthansa flight was not available.
The ministry asked all passengers who were on the two planes to visit its facilities all over the Kingdom to receive the required medical tests.
“We received more than 70 calls yesterday [Tuesday] from passengers on the two flights and others coming from countries with confirmed cases,” Bilbeisi told The Jordan Times.

Meanwhile, the ministry called on people who were in any of the countries with confirmed cases and felt any of the H1N1 symptoms to report to ministry’s hotline (0799036023).