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Swine Flu FAQ's

• What can I do to reduce my chances of getting swine flu?

There are five main things to do to avoid getting sick.
•    Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If you are not near soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
•    Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough.
•    Use tissues to blow your nose and then throw them away. Wash your hands immediately.
•    Avoid close contact with sick people.
•    Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

• Should I avoid eating pork?

Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

• I got the flu shot this year, am I protected?

No. This season's flu vaccine wasn't made with the new swine flu virus in mind so the vaccine does not contain antigens for this strain.

• What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever and chills, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

• Are there medications available to treat swine flu in humans? Are they covered drugs?

Two antiviral drugs are recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) for the treatment of swine flu, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (rimantadine). Both medications are covered for commercial and Medicare members. If you are not sure about your coverage, call the customer service number on the back of your member identification card.
• What should I do if I think I am sick?

If you have flu symptoms, stay home. If you've recently been to a high-risk area like Mexico, CDC officials recommend that you see your doctor. If you have flu symptoms but you haven't been in a high-risk area, you can still see a doctor. That's your call.

Keep in mind that your doctor will not be able to determine whether you have swine flu, but he or she would take a culture from you and send it to a state health department lab for testing to see if it's swine flu.

More information about swine flu is available by logging onto the CDC's Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.

For questions regarding your Geisinger Health Plan coverage, call the customer service phone number on the back of your member identification card.

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Geisinger Health Plan offers commercial health coverage in Pennsylvania for employer groups and individuals, including HMOs and PPOs.

Medicare medical and prescription drug plans for people 65 and older, or eligible for Medicare are available in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.