The Swine Influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) symptoms are generally the same as an ordinary flu. A swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is usually hosted by (is endemic in) pigs. Although the name 'swine flu' brings up a lot of extra fear and worry in communities, the most important things to remember is that swine flu is just an influenza A H1N1 virus.As of 2009, the known SIV strains are the influenza C virus and the subtypes of the influenza A virus known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. Swine influenza is common in pigs in the midwestern United States (and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe (including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and other parts of eastern Asia.
Direct transmission of a swine flu virus from pigs to humans is occasionally possible (called zoonotic swine flu). In all, 50 cases are known to have occurred since the first report in medical literature in 1958, which have resulted in a total of six deaths. Of these six people, one was pregnant, one had leukemia, one had Hodgkin disease and two were known to be previously healthy. Despite these apparently low numbers of infections, the true rate of infection may be higher, since most cases only cause a very mild disease, and will probably never be reported or diagnosed.
Swine Flu Symptoms
According to the Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), like the other types of flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:
* High fever
* Headache
* Chills
* Sore throat
* Cough
* Runny nose or stuffy nose
* Body aches
* Fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
The 2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients reporting diarrhea and vomiting. The 2009 H1N1 virus is not zoonotic swine flu, as it is not transmitted from pigs to humans, but from person to person.
Signs of a more serious swine flu infection might include pneumonia and respiratory failure. If the flu becomes pandemic, potentially, everyone is at risk because few people, if any at all, will have immunity (resistance) to it.
If you experiencing one of these symptoms but a flu pandemic has not been announced yet, maybe you only have a common seasonal flu.
Swine Flu Prevention
Influenza viruses usually spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and when people touching materials with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth. Swine flu virus cannot be spread by pork and its derivative products, since the virus is not transmitted through food. The swine flu virus in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days for analysis.
Some recommendations to prevent the spread of the swine flu virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public. Chance of transmission is also could be reduced by disinfecting household surfaces, which can be done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach solution. Although the current trivalent influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the new 2009 H1N1 strain, vaccines against the new strain are being developed and could be ready as early as June 2009.
Health experts agree that washing our hand can help to prevent viral infections, including ordinary influenza and the swine flu virus. Influenza can spread in coughs or sneezes, but an increasing body of evidence shows small droplets containing the virus can linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria. Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should contact a doctor for advice.
Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community. Public health and other responsible authorities have action plans which may request or require social distancing actions depending on the severity of the outbreak.
Swine Flu Treatment
If anybody becomes sick and guessed being infected with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the illness become milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent some serious flu complications would be occures.
For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). Beside antivirals, palliative care, at home or in hospital, focuses on controlling fevers and maintaining fluid balance.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses, however, the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs.
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