SWINE FLU

A new strain of swine influenza or swine flu outbreak killed over 100 people in Mexico. Mexico shut down schools, museums, libraries and state-run theaters across its overcrowded capital Friday in hopes of containing a swine flu outbreak. Check out the video below:





So far, cases in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. suggest person-person transmission of new swine flu viruses occur.

What is swine flu?
Swine influenza (swine flu) is caused by an influenza virus type flu and pigs. Cause regular outbreaks of swine flu influenza viruses in pigs, but death is rare. The virus can be spread to pigs throughout the year, but outbreaks occur later in autumn and winter months similar outbreaks in people. The classical swine flu virus (a type of influenza A virus H1N1) was the first of several pig in 1930.

Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but the swine flu virus flu virus does not like people. Swine flu is not often infecting humans, and the rare cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current outbreak of swine flu is different. This is caused by a new swine flu viruses are spread by people - and this happens to people who have no contact with pigs.

Like all flu viruses, swine influenza viruses constantly change. Pigs can be infected by avian, human and swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the virus re-assort and May to appear before a mix of pig, human and / or avian influenza virus. Over the years, different variations of swine influenza viruses have emerged. Currently, there are four types of influenza virus subtypes that couple of pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1. However, some more recent influenza viruses from pigs are H1N1 viruses.

Swine influenza viruses do not usually infect humans. However, the occasional human infections with swine flu have occurred. More generally, these cases occur in people with direct exposure to pigs, such as children near the pigs in a right or workers in the swine industry.

As documented case of a person spread of swine flu to others. In 1988, an outbreak of swine flu infection in pigs in visible Wisconsin resulted in more people infected, and though no explosion resulted in the community, had antibody evidence of virus transmission from patients to healthcare workers in contact closely with patients.
Note: swine influenza virus is not transmitted through food. You can not get influenza from pigs eat pork or pork products


Symptoms of swine flu

Symptoms of swine flu was as regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting related to swine influenza. The symptoms can also cause many other conditions, and that means you and your doctor may not know, just based on your symptoms, if you got a pig flu. It takes a lab test to tell if it is swine flu or some other conditions.

The symptoms are expected to be similar to flu symptoms of seasonal and regular people include fever, weakness, indisposition and coughing. Some influential people in pigs have also reported a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Although uncomplicated influenza-like illness (fever, cough or sore throat) were reported in many cases, the mild respiratory disease (nasal congestion, rhinorhea) fever, with severe disease and is also reported rare. Other symptoms of swine flu reported include vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, headache, chills, fatigue, and dyspnea. Inflammation is a rare, but has been reported. Severe illness (pneumonia, respiratory failure) and the fatal outcome were reported in the swine flu. The potential for gravity to quiddity of chronic medical conditions or invasive bacterial infection in swine influenza should be considered.

People with swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be considered potentially infectious for up to 7 days after the start of the disease. People constantly sick until 7 days after illness early should be considered potentially infectious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially young children, may be potentially infectious for longer period. Duration of infectiousness may vary from swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. Not degenerate at a hospital confirmed or suspected cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is recommended to stay at home (voluntary separation) for at least 7 days after the first attack with the exception of illness require medical care.


Below is a video interview of a Texas family who contracted Swine flu but are recovering without difficulty.




How can we get swine flu?

A new swine flu virus to spread like regular flu. You can get the germs directly from an infected person or objects through an object they touched recently, and then touching your eyes, mouth or nose, in sending them to your germs infection. This is why you should make a habit of washing hands, if you are innocent. Infection the person can start the spread of flu germs until one day before symptoms start and up to seven days after getting sick.

Influenza virus can be transmitted directly from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with swine influenza viruses are most likely to occur when people are in the vicinity of the infected pigs, as pigs in Barnes and livestock exhibits in trade fairs.
Swine flu virus could become the air if you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth, sending germs into the air.

Person-to-person transmission of swine influenza may occur. It is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu happens in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza virus infections. People can become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their nose or mouth.


Medication

If you have flu symptoms, stay home, and when they cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. To help prevent the spread of flu.

Four antiviral drugs are licensed for use in the United States: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While the majority of swine influenza virus is sensitive to all four drugs, the most recent seven swine influenza virus in some people resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. Currently, oseltamivir or zanamivir for treatment and / or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses are recommended.

If you have received flu symptoms and you recently in an area with high risk such as Mexico, it is recommended to see your doctor. If you have flu symptoms, but have not been in high-risk areas of May, you can still see a doctor – that’s your call.
Keep in mind that your doctor can determine if swine flu, but it will take a sample from you and send it to a state health department laboratory for testing to see if it is swine flu. If your doctor suspects swine flu, he was able to write you a prescription for Tamiflu or Relenza. The medication may not be needed; U.S. swine flu patients have made a full recovery without it.

New swine flu viruses are sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza; drug is more effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms. But not all drugs; most people in the first U.S. laboratory to confirm the swine flu recover without treatment.


Prevention

Wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Avoid close contact to sick people, and avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

Keep informed of what's happening in your community. Your local health department to have important information about the swine flu develops in your area. For example, parents may wish to consider what they would do if their child at the school closed due to flu.





In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.