What you need to know about Swine Flu

A General Description and on How to Avoid Being Infected

Swine flu is the newest pandemic that is sweeping across the globe creating great panic and catching up on its toll of deaths day by day.What we must know is that a death due to swine flu is avoidable and can be managed if promptly detected.

The basic idea

Swine flu is caused by a virus known as H1N1 influenza A virus. Like any other flu virus it is mainly spread through secretions and droplets.It is thought to be a mutation—more specifically, a reassortment—of four known strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1: one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). Experts now assume that the virus "most likely" emerged from pigs in Asia, and the virus was carried to North America by infected people.The scope of the pandemic was not revealed till April 23 when Mexico revealed that there was a pandemic of Swine flu but then the people suffering from swine flu had reached upto 23000. The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic on June 11,2009. And the race has been there from then on.

Although in the resulting media frenzy it was called swine flu it is transmitted by strictly human to human contact.So it is not a zoonotic infection,which is animal-to-human transmission. But the name suggested and instilled fear causing pork bans and pig cullings the world over.

According to the World Health Organization, 88 countries had officially reported 44,287 cases of infection, including 180 deaths, as of June 19, 2009.

The people who are susceptible to get infected are the extremes of age,infants and elderly,the debilitated with a concurrent infection and those who are immunocompromised, drug users and those with HIV/AIDS.


Symptoms

• Runny nose
• Fever with chills
  
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Diarrhoea

But the most of these cases may b e mild and the patient may come out without any harm.

But be aware of,

1. Blue lips and tongue
2. Difficulty in breath
3. Wheezy rapid breath
4. Chest pains
5. Dehydration
6. Confusion
7. Excessive sleepiness

If these symptoms are to be shown in the person please consult your general practitioner or go to the closest hospital.

How to avoid contracting swine flu?

• Minimize travel to countries which have been known to have cases of swine flu
• Those who are suffering from a concurrent infection or disease like diabetes,high blood pressure,or immunocompromising disease please contact your doctor before travelling
  
• Adhere to simple hygienic practices like hand washing and using a disposable tissues before sneezing(and properly dispose them too)
• Get plenty of rest and sleep

Treating flu

• There is no specific management for flu due to its viral nature.
• Take liquids and plenty of rest.
• If the patient cannot take liquids try to give him a an oral rehydration solution dissolved in 1 litre of water.Give small spoon feeds.
  
• If he vomits persistantly take him to the hospital.
  
• For fever and pain take an acetominophen (paracitamol) in codeine base,adults 2 tablets (1gram) every 6 hourly.
• Take plenty of fruits and vegetable,as this can build your immunity.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Steam inhalation can be refreshing for you respiratory tract.
  
• Consult you doctor and get a prescription for antivirals which will reduce the severity and the days you have to be on bed.