Swine Flu

 

Vigy Elizebth Cherian

Assistant Professor, Sharda University, Greater Noida, NCR, Delhi

 

ABSTRACT:

Swine flu was first recognised in the 1919 pandemic and still circulates as a seasonal flu virus. Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus strain, which started in pigs. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, chills, weakness and body aches. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are at risk from severe infection. The incubation period for the disease is about one to four days. Swine flu is contagious about one day before symptoms develop to about five to seven days after symptoms develop; some patients may be contagious for a longer time span. The disease lasts about three to seven days with more serious infections lasting about 9 to 10 days. Typical treatment includes rest, pain relievers and fluids. In some cases antiviral medication and IV fluids may be required. Vaccination is the best way to prevent or reduce the chances of becoming infected with influenza viruses.

 

INTRODUCTION:

Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus. It's named for a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. In 2009 a strain of swine flu called H1N1 infected many people around the world. The disease is spread among pigs by direct and indirect contact, aerosols, and from pigs that are infected but do not have symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 pandemic over in August 2010. Since then, the H1N1 virus has been known as a regular human flu virus. It continues to spread during flu season like other strains of the flu. The flu shot developed each year by the Centres’ for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) usually includes a vaccination against a type of H1N1 virus¹.

 

 

 

INDIAN OUT BREAKS:

Swine flu outbreaks were reported in India in late 2014 and early 2015. As of March 19,2015 the disease has affected 31,151 people and claimed over 1,841 lives. The largest number of reported cases and deaths due to the disease occurred in the western part of India including states like Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat¹.

 

DEFINITION:

Swine influenza is an infection caused by any one of several types of swine influenza viruses. Swine influenza virus (SIV) or swine-origin influenza virus (S-OIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs²

 

CAUSES:

·       Contact with infected pigs

·       Contact with infected humans²

 

RISK FACTORS:

Some people are more at risk of catching swine flu than others; including:

·       People aged over 65 years

·       Children under 5 years

·       People with chronic diseases

·       Pregnant women

·       Teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy

·       Anyone with a compromised immune system²

 

SYMPTOMS:

The symptoms of swine flu in humans are quite similar to those of regular flu, and include:

·       Body aches

·       Chills

·       Cough

·       Headache

·       Sore throat

·       Fever

·       Tiredness³

 

 

TREATMENT:

·       There are some drugs available that can effectively treat swine flu.

·       The two main treatments are adamantanes, including amantadine and rimantadine, and medications that inhibit the influenza neuraminidase protein, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir⁴.

 

VACCINES:

Vaccines are available for swine flu. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new swine flu vaccine for use in the United States on September 15, 2009. Studies by the National Institutes of Health show a single dose creates enough antibodies to protect against the virus within about 10 days⁴.

 

HOME REMEDIES:

These include:

·       Washing hands regularly with soap

·       Getting plenty of sleep

·       Exercising often

·       Managing stress

·       Drinking liquids

·       Eating a balanced diet

·       Refraining from touching surfaces that may have the virus

·       Do not get close to people who are sick. Be sure to stay away from crowds if there is a swine flu outbreak in your area⁵.

 

HOW TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF INFECTION?

If a person is infected, it is important they follow these rules to prevent any further spread:

·       Limit contact with other people.

·       Do not go to work or school.

·       When coughing or sneezing cover the mouth with a tissue. If there is no tissue available, cover the mouth and nose.

·       Put used tissues in a trash can.

·       Wash the hands and face regularly.

·       Keep all surfaces that are touched clean.

·       Follow all doctors' instructions⁵.

 

REFERENCES:

1.      International Committee on anomy of Viruses. "The Universal Virus Database, version 4: Influenza A". Archived from the original on January 13, 2010.

2.      "Swine influenza". The Merck Veterinary Manual. 2008. ISBN 1-4421-6742-4. Retrieved April 30, 2009.

3.      Gibbs, Adrian J.; Armstrong, John S.; Downie, Jean C. (2009-01-01). "From where did the 2009 'swine-origin' influenza A virus (H1N1) emerge?". Virology Journal. 6: 207

4.      "Pandemic (H1N1) 2009".

5.      "Swine Flu - National Health Portal of India".

 

 

 

 

Received on 11.09.2018          Modified on 20.11.2018

Accepted on 10.12.2018     © A&V Publications all right reserved