SWINE FLU

 What Is Swine Flu?

We all know that Flu is the abridged form of Influenza. Similarly, Swine Influenza, popularly known as Swine Flu, is a type of respiratory disease caused by Type-A Influenza Viruses (Novel H1N1) in pigs. In the past, the flu virus used to travel from one person to the other but the spread was limited to a maximum of 3-4 people.

However, the current form of H1N1 virus, which World Health Organization (WHO) has classified to be a pandemic (i.e. an epidemic that is geographically widespread; occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world), is spreading from one healthy human being to the other.

According to WHO, a global pandemic caused by H1N1 virus is a possibility and to vindicate this, it has elevated the World Pandemic Phase from third phase to fourth phase. To get a clear idea of the existing threat we need to understand the Phases formulated by WHO.

Phase 1: In Phase 1, the infection is mainly limited to animals and birds, but no humans have contacted them.

Phase 2: In Phase 2, the virus is getting circulated among the domestic animals and has caused infections in few humans. Hence, the virus is considered a potential pandemic.

Phase 3: In Phase 3, the virus is known to cause infections in few human beings. However, the transmission is limited to animal to human and not from one human to the other.

Phase 4: In Phase 4, it is proved that the virus has obtained the power to transmit from one infected human being to the other. It also has the potential to trigger “community level outbreaks”.

Phase 5: In Phase 5, the virus transmits from one human to another and has spread to at least 2 countries in one WHO region.

Phase 6: The infection is widespread and there are no ways to curtail its spread.

After Phase 6, there comes the “Post-peak period” and “Post pandemic period”. The former mainly refers to a situation where the infection spread has been limited; the disease level has dropped below the peak observed levels. However, there remains the chance of a second wave by the virus in a mutated and deadlier form.

Post pandemic period mainly refers to the situation where the virus has transformed into the normal seasonal influenza type (Influenza-A virus).

Symptoms Of Swine Flu

Swine flu is a virus causing influenza. So, most of the symptoms related to flu are also associated with Swine Flu. This is also quite worrying for the doctors to properly identify the disease in its budding stage. There are a number of ways to test for H1N1 virus; of which the most accurate is the RETCIF test. Here, a patient’s nasal swab is taken for culture. Any virus, which is present in the sample are nurtured in an artificial environment and then cultured under a florescent microscope to test for the presence of the H1N1 virus. So, a person if tested positive (but has not shown any symptoms) can be given Tamiflu.

Common symptoms of regular flu:

Fever

Cough

Body aches

Headache

Sore throat

Fatigue

Chills

Running nose

Please note that some people have complained of these ailments but H1N1 can spread without these symptoms also. Some of the additional indicants are diarrhoea and vomiting.

Some other signs mainly seen in children:

Breathing problem

Colour of the skin turning bluish or gray

Lesser intake of water / liquids

Persistent tendency to vomit

Less interaction with others

Physical Irritation

Flu like symptoms betters but returns more vigorously

Warning signs in Adults:

Breathlessness

Pain in the chest or abdomen

Dizziness and fatigue

Confusion and irritability

Intense vomiting

Flu like symptoms betters but returns more vigorously

What causes the death?

Swine flu virus targets the lungs and consequently triggers multiple organs disorders. In the past, people have died mainly due to pneumonia and respiratory failure. All the above mentioned symptoms are aggravated by Swine flu and causes fatality among humans.

How Does Swine Flu Spread?

Swine flu is a virus causing influenza and carries all the earmarks of the regular virus. So, what are the ways a common flu virus or Swine Flu virus can spread?

One of the primary sources of Swine flu is an infected person. If you come in close contact with a person, who has been infected with the H1N1 virus, then you will also catch it. Usually, the medium of transmission is sneezing and coughing. The virus can also reside on a solid surface previously contaminated by the infected person through touching or sneezing. The virus can stay active for up to 8 hours in conducive environment.

Few precautionary measure that can be taken against Swine-flu:

i) Wash your hands often with alcohol based liquid soap; especially after sneezing or coughing. If alcohol based hand-wash is not available then use ordinary soap.

ii) Do not touch your mouth, nose or eyes with the hand. Before touching them wash your hands thoroughly.

iii) According to the experts, the incubation period of Swine flu is not more than a week; so, if you notice the common flu symptoms then check with the doctor for further proceedings.

Few FAQs:

Q: Is it possible to be infected by eating pork based food?

A: No Swine flu doesn’t spread through pork or pork based food.

Q: Is there any chance of getting infected by drinking water?

A: No. It has been found that the level of chlorine found in water for general disinfection is usually adequate to kill the H1N1 virus.

Q: If I share a common source of water like Spa or Swimming pool, then is it possible to contact the virus?

A: No such instances have been found so far to prove this theory.