Swine flu contagious longer than thought

17 September 2009

When the coughing stops is probably a better sign of when a swine flu patient is no longer contagious, experts said after seeing new research that suggests the virus can still spread many days after a fever goes away. Experts have been telling people to stay home from work and school and avoid contact with others until a day after their fever breaks. The new research suggests they may need to be careful for longer -- especially at home where the risk of spreading the germ is highest. Swine flu also appears to be contagious longer than ordinary seasonal flu, suggested by three new reports, from Canada, Singapore and Mexico.

Swine flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and sometimes diarrhoea and vomiting. Young children may be cranky, less playful or not eat as much as normal, People who have had swine flu should cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze and wash their hands a lot once they do return to work and school.

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