Swine Flu

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a type of virus that typically affects pigs but caused a global outbreak in humans too.

It is also known as the H1N1 virus and is a type of influenza virus.

What are its main signs and symptoms?

• Swine flu shows symptoms like flu and is highly contagious.
• The respiratory system is most affected with a person having a runny nose, itchy throat and severe cough.
• The infection causes a fever along with weakness and fatigue. There may be loss of appetite too.
• Other symptoms include irritation in the eyes or watering eyes.
• A person suffering from swine flu can also have abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

What are the main causes?

• The H1N1 virus infection is called swine flu because it is similar to the virus that affects pigs. The virus has strains that affect humans, birds and swine.
• The virus is transmitted amongst animals due to breathing in the air containing the virus.
• It affects humans when they contract the virus through breathing air containing the virus.
• This means that poultry workers are at high risk of contracting swine flu.
• When a pandemic outbreak of swine flu was detected, humans were quickly infected since they did not have immunity against the virus.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

• If you show flu-like symptoms, and if a swine flu outbreak is suspected, your physician will look for swine flu during diagnosis.
• A diagnostic method for swine flu is to take a swab of the nasal discharge or throat, and examine it microscopically.
• There are some other molecular tests and rapid influenza diagnostic tests, but they are less specific.

Treatment 

• Antiviral drugs are given to those who suffer from this viral disease.
• Hospitalisation and isolation are recommended in most cases, since the virus spreads rapidly.
• If the virus shows resistance to particular drugs, other types of antiviral medications may have to be given.
• Vaccines have also been prepared against this virus and are extremely effective. Since the virus spreads like fire between poultry and between humans, vaccination during a pandemic is important especially in children, elderly and pregnant women.

1. Qi X, Lu C. [Swine influenza virus: evolution mechanism and epidemic characterization--a review]. Wei Sheng Wu Xue Bao. 2009 Sep;49(9):1138-45. PMID: 20030049
2. National Health Portal [Internet] India; Swine Flu
3. Center for Disease Control and Prevention [internet], Atlanta (GA): US Department of Health and Human Services; Information on Swine/Variant Influenza
4. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: US National Library of Medicine; H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
5. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Swine Flu-H1N1 (Seasonal Influenza). Government of India [Internet]

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