Student Health Services is warning students to prepare themselves in case the Swine Influenza, which has killed seven people in Mexico and recently spread to the U.S., spreads to Wisconsin.

In an e-mail sent out to the entire UW-P community on April 27, Barb Daus, special assistant to the chancellor, addressed the campus concerns. She said that in light of the diseases spread into and within the United States, Student Health Services and Risk Management wanted to provide some information for students on what Swine Influenza is, and how you can protect yourself and those around you.

According to Student Health Services and the Center for Disease Control, Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses which leads to regular outbreaks.  People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. The symptoms of Swine Flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with Swine Flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, Swine Flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

To protect yourself against the contraction of Swine Flu, people should cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it; wash their hands often with soap and water, specially after you cough or sneeze; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; avoid close contact with sick people.

People who feel they may have contracted the disease should check with their health care provider about special care they might need or whether they should take antiviral medications, stay home for seven days after the start of illness and fever is gone, get plenty of rest, drink clear fluids to prevent dehydration and continue prevention techniques.

According to the CDC, following these steps can prevent the illness from getting worse. The sick person should get medical care right away if they have difficulty breathing, chest pain, purple or blue discoloration of the lips, vomiting, unable to keep liquids down, has signs of dehydration or absence of urination. Infants may have a lack of tears when they cry,  seizures,  become unresponsive or confused.

The CDC reports that as of April 30, 109 cases of Swine Flu have been reported in the U.S. including 50 in New York, 26 in Texas (resulting in one death), 14 in California, and 10 in South Carolina. According to the CDC there are no confirmed cases in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois or Minnesota.

For more information on Swine Flu visit the Student Health Services or the Center for Disease Control. The Exponent will continue to update the number of cases throughout the week.