Swine influenza, also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu, is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. A known as H1N1, H1N2, H2N1, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
In August 2010, the World Health Organization declared the swine flu pandemic officially over.
Cases of swine flu have been reported in India 2015, with Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor testing positive. This has cited fears that the pandemic may have returned.
Transmission between pigs
Influenza is quite common in pigs.The main route of transmission is through direct contact between infected and uninfected animals.These close contacts are particularly common during animal transport.
Transmission to humans
People whose jobs involve handling poultry and swine be the focus of increased public health surveillance. Other professions at particular risk of infection are veterinarians and meat processing workers, although the risk of infection for both of these groups is lower than that of farm workers
Courtesy: Wikipedia
Causes of Swine Flu
Swine flu is contagious, and it spreads in the same way as the seasonal flu. When people who have it cough or sneeze, they spray tiny drops of the virus into the air. If you come in contact with these drops or touch a surface (such as a doorknob or sink) that an infected person has recently touched, you can catch H1N1 swine flu.
Despite the name, you can't catch swine flu from eating bacon, ham, or any other pork product.
Swine Flu Symptoms
People who have swine flu can be contagious one day before they have any symptoms, and as many as 7 days after they get sick. Kids can be contagious for as long as 10 days.
Most symptoms are the same as seasonal flu. They can include:
- cough
- fever
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
Like seasonal flu, swine flu can lead to more serious complications, including pneumonia and respiratory failure. And it can make conditions like diabetes or asthma worse. If you have symptoms like shortness of breath, severe vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, or confusion, call your doctor or 911 right away.
Tests for Swine Flu
It's hard to tell whether you have swine flu or seasonal flu, because most symptoms are the same. People with swine flu may be more likely to feel nauseous and throw up than people who have seasonal flu. But a lab test is the only way to know for sure. Even a rapid flu test you can get in your doctor's office won't tell you for sure.
To test for swine flu, your doctor takes a sample from your nose or throat. You may not need to be tested. The CDC says the people who need to be tested are those in the hospital or those at high risk for getting life-threatening problems from the flu, such as:
- Children under 5 years old
- People 65 or older
- Children and teens (under age 18) who are getting long-term aspirin therapy, and who might be at risk for Reye's syndrome after being infected with swine flu. Reye's syndrome is a life-threatening illness linked to aspirin use in children.
- Pregnant women
- Adults and children who have chronic lung, heart, liver, blood, nervous system, neuromuscular, or metabolic problems
- Adults and children who have suppressed immune systems (including those who take medications to suppress their immune systems or who have HIV)
- People in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
Swine Flu Treatment
Some of the same antiviral drugs that are used to treat seasonal flu also work against
H1N1 swine flu. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) seem to work best, although some kinds of swine flu are resistant to Tamiflu.
These drugs can help you get over swine flu faster. They can also help keep it from being too severe. They work best when taken within 48 hours of the first flu symptoms, but they can help when taken later.
Antibiotics won't help, because flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria.
Over-the-counter pain remedies and cold and flu medications can help relieve aches, pains, and fever. Don't give aspirin to children under age 18 because of the risk for Reye’s syndrome. Check to make sure that over-the-counter cold medications do not have aspirin before giving them to children.
Vaccine for Swine Flu
The same flu vaccine that protects against seasonal flu also protects against the H1N1 swine flu strain. You can get it as a shot or as a nasal spray.
Besides a flu shot, there are other things you can do to stay healthy:
Wash your hands throughout the day with soap and water. Sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice to make sure you've washed long enough. Or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Don't touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Avoid people who are sick.
Courtesy: WebMD
PROLIFERATION
In order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondery infections, some very simple steps can be practiced.
- Frequent hand washing. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria.
- Disinfecting household surfaces, which can be done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach solution.
- "Hands-off-the-face" approach.
- Gargle twice a day with warm salt water(can also use Listerine)
- Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water.
- Boost your natural immunity with foods that are in Vitamin C.
- Drink as much of warm liquids as you can.
HOME REMEDY
1. Boil approximately 200ml of potable water, till it remains half and mix the following herbs in it.
Juice of 10 to 15 fresh leaves of Tulasi,(Basil),
5 ml of fresh ginger root juice,
half spoon powder of cloves,
half spoon powder of cinnamon bark,
half spoon powder of peppermint leaves,
half spoon powder of cardamom,
half spoon of turmeric powder,
half spoon of rock salt
mix all these properly, add one spoon of honey when the tea is luke warm and have it twice or thrice a day
2. Homeopathic Medicine Influenzinum 200(Dr. Reckeweg& Co.)
3. 5 Gms of each Desi Kamphor and small Elaichi make it powder and put it clean cotton cloth. Every 1 or 2 hour smell it. The aroma of Kamphor and Elaichi has very effective disinfectant properties.
Rains facilitate virus activity. A cold and humid climate only increases the virus. But After Holi the weather in India is becoming hotter and so the survival of virus is going less day by day.
