Okay, I am sure that you are either sick of hearing about swine flu or about to barricade yourself into your bedroom. However, as some of the readers of this blog are in active cancer treatment I wanted to share a bit of information.
The swine flu is in the U.S. and it is the same strain of the virus that has caused deaths in Mexico. The strain that is active in humans at this time is unique in that it has genetic material that are in human, bird and swine flu bugs. This is part of why some people are freaking out. Scientists have been monitoring avian or "bird" flu for years now. When you talk to people in public health or epidemiology they always voice concern about the ease of international travel and the spread of disease.
Most of the time swine flu is associated with people who have direct contact with pigs. The cases in the U.S. all appear to be human to human transmission. Unfortunately the flu shot that you received months ago is not effective against swine flu.
Here's where it gets tricky for patients who are in cancer treatment. Symptoms of swine flu include cough, sore throat, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, nausea and diarrhea. As you know depending on the medications you are receiving many of those are also side effects of chemo.
The best way to deal with this is to stay in contact with your physician. If you have unusual symptoms talk to your doctor, lab tests are the only way to determine if it is swine flu.
In the meantime remember to do all of the basic things you should do to avoid infection, wash your hands, eat well, sleep. Talk to you doctor about whether you are immuno suppressed and follow their lead about exposure to the public.
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