Information from Internet web site www.clorox.com
* Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses ((H1N1) that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.
* The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has determined that swine flu is contagious and is spread from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
* Swine flu is thought to spread in the same way as the seasonal flu virus — mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing, or touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
* Ways to avoid contracting any type flu are:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don't have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Use disinfectants on frequently touched surfaces. Germs can also be spread when a person touches an infected surface and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose.
A Boys State camper visiting GSU over the weekend and a GSU student both tested positive for the swine flu strain of Influenza A virus, also known as H1N1, after three other visitors to the university tested positive over the weekend for Influenza A, said Betsy Nolen, Assistant Director of Communications for the university.
There is no evidence at this time that the ill Georgia Southern student came in contact with ill Boy's State camper, so there is no evidence that the two cases are connected, she said.
Those three — a Boys State staff member and two Girls State campers — tested positive for Influenza A, but as of Wednesday afternoon, GSU officials had yet to be informed of the particular strain of flu they had, she said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control Internet web site (www.cdc.gov) there are three subtypes of the Influenza A virus that infect humans: H1N1 (Swine Flu), H5N1 (Bird Flue) and H3N2, a type of common flu.
GSU officials issued a health advisory Wednesday informing students, staff and faculty members that the Georgia Public Health Laboratory confirmed the GSU student tested positive for swine flu, and that they were notified that the "Boy's State camper became ill after returning home from Georgia Boy's State and has subsequently tested positive for H1N1."
University health officials have "followed established protocols set by the CDC for response and have received no other reports of confirmed H1N1 influenza," the advisory read.
The student, who lives off campus, was treated with antiviral medication and "has responded positively to treatment and is feeling much better," according to the advisory.
The Boy's State camper has been treated and is recovering at home.
GSU health officials remind students and others that H1N1 is no more dangerous than other types of flu, and advise preventative measures such as covering the nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough; wash hands often with soap and water or an alcohol based cleaner; avoid close contact with those who are sick and to stay home and away from work or school if you are sick.
According to information from the Centers for Disease Control ( CDC) Internet web site ( http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/), "the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 June 11 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway."
More than 70 countries have reported humans with H1N1 flu infection. Many cases were linked to travel or were localized outbreaks. The "decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus," according to the site.