1. SWINE FLU
Guidance for Clinicians & Public Health Professionals
(as on 28th April 2009)
What is swine influenza?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that
regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and
low death rates in pigs.
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian
influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza
viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new
viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the
years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main
influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1.
However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
Can swine flu infect humans?
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with
swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in people with direct exposure to
pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have
been documented cases of persons spreading swine flu to others.
How does it spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that
seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or
sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching
something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What is considered as the ‘infectious period’?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long
as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children,
especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

2. How many cases of swine influenza have been reported worldwide?
The current situation regarding the outbreak of swine influenza A (H1N1) is evolving rapidly. As
of 27th April 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human
cases of swine influenza A (H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human
cases of infection with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six cases,
with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths and Scotland has reported 2
cases.
On the advice of the Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization, the Director‐
General has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert, indicating the likelihood of a
pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable.
Are there any travel restrictions issued by the WHO?
WHO has not issued any travel restrictions or border closures; however, the agency
recommends people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing
symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention. In addition, the CDC
recommends forgoing any nonessential travel to Mexico.
What are the clinical features of swine flu in humans?
Swine influenza A virus infection (swine flu) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including
fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported
diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Severe disease
with pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death is possible with swine flu infection.
Certain groups might be more likely to develop a severe illness from swine flu infection, such as
persons with chronic medical conditions. Sometimes bacterial infections may occur at the same
time as or after infection with influenza viruses and lead to pneumonias, ear infections, or sinus
infections.
How can one diagnose swine flu?
Clinicians should consider the possibility of swine influenza virus infections in patients
presenting with febrile respiratory illness.
If swine flu is suspected, clinicians should obtain a respiratory swab for swine influenza testing
and place it in a refrigerator (not a freezer). Once collected, the clinician should contact their

3. state or local health department to facilitate transport and timely diagnosis at a state public
health laboratory.
Case Definitions for Infection with Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
A confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an
acute febrile respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) virus
infection by one or more of the following tests:
1. real‐time RT‐PCR (real time‐ polymerase chain reaction)
2. viral culture
Infectious period
The infectious period for a confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined
as 1 day prior to the case’s illness onset to 7 days after onset.
A probable case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an acute
febrile respiratory illness who is:
• positive for influenza A, but negative for H1 and H3 by influenza RT‐PCR, or
• positive for influenza A by an influenza rapid test or an influenza immunofluorescence
assay (IFA) plus meets criteria for a suspected case
A suspected case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with acute
febrile respiratory illness with onset
• within 7 days of close contact with a person who is a confirmed case of swine
influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, or
• within 7 days of travel to community either within the United States or internationally
where there are one or more confirmed swine influenza A(H1N1) cases, or
• resides in a community where there are one or more confirmed swine influenza cases.
Close contact is defined as: within about 6 feet of an ill person who is a confirmed or suspected
case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s infectious period.
Acute respiratory illness is defined as: recent onset of at least two of the following: rhinorrhea
or nasal congestion, sore throat, cough (with or without fever or feverishness)
High‐risk group for complications of influenza is defined as: a person who is at high‐risk for
complications of seasonal influenza: However, it too early to ascertain what persons are at
high‐risk for complications of swine influenza A(H1N1) virus infection.
Clinicians should consider swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the differential diagnosis
of patients with febrile respiratory disease and who

4. • live in areas in the U.S. with confirmed human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus
infection or
• who traveled recently to Mexico or were in contact with persons who had febrile
respiratory illness and were in the areas of the U.S. with confirmed swine influenza
cases or Mexico in the 7 days preceding their illness onset.
What steps should be taken for Infection Control of Ill Persons in a Healthcare Setting?
Patients with suspected or confirmed case‐status should be placed in a single‐patient room with
the door kept closed. If available, an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) with negative
pressure air handling with 6 to 12 air changes per hour can be used. Air can be exhausted
directly outside or be re‐circulated after filtration by a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
filter. For suctioning, bronchoscopy, or intubation, use a procedure room with negative
pressure air handling.
The ill person should wear a surgical mask when outside of the patient room, and should be
encouraged to wash hands frequently and follow respiratory hygiene practices. Cups and other
utensils used by the ill person should be washed with soap and water before use by other
persons. Routine cleaning and disinfection strategies used during influenza seasons can be
applied to the environmental management of swine influenza.
Standard, Droplet and Contact precautions should be used for all patient care activities, and
maintained for 7 days after illness onset or until symptoms have resolved. Maintain adherence
to hand hygiene by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizer immediately after
removing gloves and other equipment and after any contact with respiratory secretions.
Personnel providing care to or collecting clinical specimens from suspected or confirmed cases
should wear disposable non‐sterile gloves, gowns, and eye protection (e.g., goggles) to prevent
conjunctival exposure.
What should be the advice for caring of an infected person at home?
• Stay home for 7 days after the start of illness and fever is gone
• Get plenty of rest
• Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants)
to keep from being dehydrated
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol‐based hand
rub often and especially after using tissues and after coughing or sneezing into hands.
• Avoid close contact with others – do not go to work or school while ill
• Be watchful for emergency warning signs (see below) that might indicate you need to
seek medical attention

5. When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Get medical care right away if the sick person at home:
• has difficulty breathing or chest pain
• has purple or blue discoloration of the lips
• is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
• has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in
infants, a lack of tears when they cry
• has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions)
• is less responsive than normal or becomes confused
• Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For
example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom
door closed.
What are the recommendations for the use of antivirals in such situations?
Clinicians should consider treating any person with confirmed or suspected swine influenza
with an antiviral drug. CDC recommends the use of neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral
medications zanamivir and oseltamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with
swine influenza viruses. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is sensitive (susceptible) to the
zanamivir and oseltamivir. It is resistant to the adamantane antiviral medications amantadine
and rimantadine.
Suspected Cases
Empiric antiviral treatment is recommended for any ill person suspected to have swine
influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Antiviral treatment with either zanamivir alone or with a
combination of oseltamivir and either amantadine or rimantadine should be initiated as soon as
possible after the onset of symptoms. Recommended duration of treatment is five days.
Recommendations for use of antivirals may change as data on anti viral susceptibilities become
available.
Antiviraldoses and schedules recommended for treatment of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus
infection are the same as those recommended for seasonal influenza
Confirmed Cases
For antiviral treatment of a confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, either
oseltamivir or zanamivir may be administered. Recommended duration of treatment is five
days. These same antivirals should be considered for treatment of cases that test positive for
influenza A but test negative for seasonal influenza viruses H3 and H1 by PCR.

6. Pregnant Women
Oseltamivir, zanamivir, amantadine, and rimantadine are all “Pregnancy Category C"
medications, indicating that no clinical studies have been conducted to assess the safety of
these medications for pregnant women. No adverse effects have been reported among women
who received oseltamivir or zanamivir during pregnancy or among infants born to such women.
However, both amantadine and rimantadine have been demonstrated in animal studies to be
teratogenic and embryotoxic when administered at substantially high doses
Antiviral Chemoprophylaxis
For antiviral chemoprophylaxis of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, either oseltamivir or
zanamivir are recommended. Duration of antiviral chemoprophylaxis is 7 days after the last
known exposure to an ill confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection.
Antiviral chemoprophylaxis (pre‐exposure or post‐exposure) with either oseltamivir or
zanamivir is recommended for the following individuals:
1. Household close contacts who are at high‐risk for complications of influenza (persons
with certain chronic medical conditions, elderly) of a confirmed or suspected case.
2. School children who are at high‐risk for complications of influenza (persons with certain
chronic medical conditions) who had close contact (face‐to‐face) with a confirmed or
suspected case.
3. Travelers to Mexico who are at high‐risk for complications of influenza (persons with
certain chronic medical conditions, elderly).
4. Border workers (Mexico) who are at high‐risk for complications of influenza (persons
with certain chronic medical conditions, elderly).
5. Health care workers or public health workers who had unprotected close contact with
an ill confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s
infectious period.
Antiviral chemoprophylaxis (pre‐exposure or post‐exposure) with either oseltamivir or
zanamivir can be considered for the following:
1. Any health care worker who is at high‐risk for complications of influenza (persons with
certain chronic medical conditions, elderly) who is working in an area with confirmed
swine influenza A (H1N1) cases, and who is caring for patients with any acute febrile
respiratory illness.
2. Non‐high risk persons who are travelers to Mexico, first responders, or border workers
who are working in areas with confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus
infection.

7. Recommended Daily Dosage of Antiviral Medications for Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis of
Influenza
Age group (yrs)
Antiviral agent
1‐6 7‐9 10‐12 13‐64 65 and older
10 mg (2 10 mg (2 10 mg (2 10 mg (2
Treatment,
N/A† inhalations) inhalations) inhalations) inhalations)
influenza A and B
twice daily twice daily twice daily twice daily
Zanamivir*
Ages 5‐9
(VIRENZA) 10 mg (2 10 mg (2 10 mg (2
Chemoprophylaxis, Ages 1‐4 10 mg (2
inhalations) inhalations) inhalations)
influenza A and B N/A inhalations)
once daily once daily once daily
once daily
Dose varies
Treatment†, Dose varies by Dose varies by 75 mg twice 75 mg twice
by child's
influenza A and B child's weight§ child's weight§ daily daily
Oseltamivir weight§
(ANTIFLU) Dose varies by Dose varies
Chemoprophylaxis, Dose varies by
child's by child's 75 mg/day 75 mg/day
influenza A and B child's weight¶
weight¶ weight¶
5 mg/kg body 5 mg/kg body
weight/day up weight/day up less than or
Treatment, 100 mg twice 100 mg twice
to 150 mg in 2 to 150 mg in 2 equal to 100
influenza A daily§§ daily
divided divided mg/day
doses†† doses††
Amantadine**
5 mg/kg body 5 mg/kg body
weight/day up weight/day up less than or
Prophylaxis, 100 mg twice 100 mg twice
to 150 mg in 2 to 150 mg in 2 equal to 100
influenza A daily§§ daily§
divided divided mg/day
doses†† doses††
Treatment#, 100 mg twice
N/A## N/A N/A 100 mg/day
influenza A daily§§$
Rimantadine¶¶
Prophylaxis, 100 mg twice 100 mg twice 100
5 mg/kg body 5 mg/kg body
influenza A daily§§ daily§ mg/day$$
weight/day up weight/day up

8. to 150 mg in 2 to 150 mg in 2
divided divided
doses†† doses††
Treatment Recommended duration for antiviral treatment is 5 days.
Recommended duration is 5‐7 days after the last known exposure.
Duration of
Treatment
Chemoprophylaxis For control of outbreaks in long‐term care facilities and hospitals, CDC
recommends antiviral chemoprophylaxis for a minimum of two weeks, and
up to one week after the last known case was identified.
NOTE:
* Zanamivir is available as Rotacaps to be used with the Revolizer. Zanamivir is not recommended for those
persons with underlying airway disease.
† A reduction in the dose of oseltamivir is recommended for persons with creatinine clearance less than 30
mL/min.
§ The treatment dosing recommendation for children who weigh 15 kg or less is 30 mg twice a day. For children
who weigh more than 15 kg and up to 23 kg, the dose is 45 mg twice a day. For children who weigh more than 23
kg and up to 40 kg, the dose is 60 mg twice a day. For children who weigh more than 40 kg, the dose is 75 mg twice
a day.
¶ The chemoprophylaxis dosing recommendation for children who weigh less than 15 kg is 30 mg once a day. For
those who weigh more than 15 kg and up to 23 kg, the dose is 45 mg once a day. For children who weigh more
than 23 kg and up to 40 kg, the dose is 60 mg once a day. For children who weigh more than 40 kg, the dose is 75
mg once a day.
** The drug package insert should be consulted for dosage recommendations for administering amantadine to
persons with creatinine clearance less than or equal to 50 mL/ min/1.73m2.
†† 55 mg/kg body weight of amantadine or rimantadine syrup = 1 tsp/22 lbs.
§§ Children aged 10 years and older who weigh less than 40 kg should be administered amantadine or rimantadine
at a dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight/day.
¶¶ A reduction in dosage to 100 mg/day of rimantadine is recommended for persons who have severe hepatic
dysfunction or those with creatinine clearance less than 10 mL/min. Other persons with less severe hepatic or
renal dysfunction taking 100 mg/day of rimantadine should be observed closely, and the dosage should be reduced
or the drug discontinued, if necessary.
# Only approved by FDA for treatment among adults.
## Not applicable.
$Rimantadine is approved by FDA for treatment among adults. However, certain specialists in the management of
influenza consider rimantadine appropriate for treatment among children. Studies evaluating the efficacy of

9. amantadine and rimantadine in children are limited, but they indicate that treatment with either drug diminishes
the severity of influenza A infection when administered within 48 hours of illness onset.
$$ Older nursing‐home residents should be administered only 100 mg/day of rimantadine. A reduction in dosage
to 100 mg/day should be considered for all persons aged 65 years and older, if they experience possible side
effects when taking 200 mg/day.
Special Considerations for Children
Aspirin or aspirin‐containing products (e.g. bismuth subsalicylate) should not be administered
to any confirmed or suspected ill case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection aged 18 years
old and younger due to the risk of Reye syndrome. For relief of fever, other anti‐pyretic
medications are recommended such as paracetamol or non steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.
Is the current influenza vaccine effective against swine flu?
The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and,
therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu
viruses.
For more information on Swine flu please visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
http://www.who.int/csr/don/en/
For complete prescribing information on Antiflu (oseltamivir) & Virenza (zanamavir) please visit
www.cipladoc.com