Description Of Swine Flu
Every day we are getting reports and reading news about the outbreak of Swine Flu in Mexico. There have been a handful of cases in the US and other countries like Spain, Germany etc that have tested positive. All people wants to know the answer of the question; “What is Swine Flu”?” Swine flu as the name suggests usually affects pigs. However, with some changes to its original form it has now also affected humans. The dangerous thing is that it communicates from person to person very quickly and easily.
We need to keep ourselves informed about the flu to ensure that there are no extreme panic responses to the infection. The name swine flu has been given as it resembles the flu that infects the pigs. Earlier too, there were swine flu casesbut that infection was mainly among those who came in direct contact with pigs. However, the new virus that has spread is a virulent new strain. It is has infected many people who have no contact with pigs at all. The various types of flu are Flu A, B and C. It is further categorized as per surface molecules, H for Haemagglutinin and N. The new strain that is circulating is H1N1 virus known to circulate in humans as well as pigs and birds.
Does it infect from person to person?
According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) the new swine flu is highly contagious and easily spreads from person to person. It spreads in a similar manner as ordinary colds and flu. The main source is the droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when an affected person coughs or sneezes. If the person fails to cover the nose or mouth while coughing and sneezing, the virus may be transferred to anyone within a one meter distance. Similarly it may also spread if a person coughs or sneezes into their hands and those droplets with the virus are transferred to any surface that the person touches like door handles and hand rails. When you touch these surfaces and touch your face the virus may enter into your system and you can become infected.
Symptoms
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of the regular flu. The symptoms of this disease are sore throat, cough, fever, body aches, headache, fatigue and chills. The 2009 outbreak also has people reporting diarrhea and vomiting. However, with these symptoms being common to regular flu it requires a lab test to find if its swine flu or any other condition. Fatality is caused due to complications like pneumonia and respiratory failure.
To avoid spread if you have flu symptoms, it is preferable to stay home and use a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Clean hands after throwing away the tissue. Tamiflu and Relenza are known to be more effective drugs when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu like symptoms.
Keeping yourself informed of what is happening in your community is very important. Seek the guidance of the local health department to understand the situation in your area and ensure preventive measures as per their advice.
Another Name For The Swine Flu
Swine flu the dreadful disease that has been grabbing attention from all over the world has been successful in killing more than 100 people and infected over thousand people across the world. Mexico is one of worst hit areas with large numbers of cases being reported here. Though not all states and cities of US and other nations are infected with swine flu, there is certainly a great amount of fear among them. Swine flu is a contagious disease that can spread even before the symptoms are visible.
The swine flu virus has a scientific name the H1N1 influenza. However, this virus is popular as swine flu, as it’s found among birds and other animals. Some prefer to even call it as Mexican influenza as it first broke out in Mexico that too on a large scale. However, WHO or World Health Organization has announced and made it mandatory to denote this flu as H1N1. This order came out after the Egyptians slaughtered several pigs fearing the spread of swine flu. There are several misconceptions among people about this sudden outbreak.
Swine flu is a type “A” virus that can spread across the world and is thus called as pandemic. This global break out has posed a big challenge to the medical fraternity to protect several thousand infected people. The bad news is there is no vaccine that can prevent infection from this virus. Initially this disease was found only among pigs and experts had no clue if this could come on to humans until a few days back. This virus contains components of the virus that affects birds and pigs. The human immune system not ready to deal with this virus cannot combat it. Only 2 tablets are there that can stop the development of this killer virus but cannot kill it.
Scientists have made it clear that the current out break of swine fluis spreading only from human to human and not from pigs. Although this virus originated in pigs the fact is that it came on to humans without affecting them much. Experts are doing many tests and studies to become more familiar with this horrible disease. It has also been made clear that swine flu is not being spread by eating pork, thus killing of pigs made no sense and was not the right preventive measure.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those that of normal or regular flu. Cold chills, cough, high fever, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and dizziness are some of common signs of swine flu or should we call it N1H1. The scientific name H1N1 influenza will not prompt people to kill innocent pigs that may not even be affected with this life threatening virus. As of now there are no cases or confirmation that this virus has been transferred from pigs and thus people are urged not to slaughter the animals. By using the technical name, it will help to remove the confusion amongst people regarding pigs and the swine flu outbreak.
As of now there is no vaccine that can protect humans from the N1H1 influenza infection and prevention is the only measure to keep us protected.