What is SWINE FLU?
SWINE FLU is also called pig flu or H1N1 flu. It is a type of infection occurred by any types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus (SIV) is family of viruses that is available in pigs. SIV is common in pigs worldwide.
The SWINE FLU VIRUSES are 80–120 nanometers in diameter.
Normally the virus does not transmit from pigs to human, but if it gets transmitted, it results in generating more antibodies in human blood and saves human body. If humans are more exposed to pigs’ community, it increases the risk factor to transmite the flu to humans.
While eating non-vege items like pigs as meat already infected, it may trasmite flu directly to human body. But if such eatable items are cooked properly with extremely hot conditions and cleanliness, it removes the chances of transmission of flu. These are less possibilities of swine flu to pass from human to human if proper situations are controlled.
Symptoms of swine flu in humans are getting fever, sore throat, body & muscle pains, heavy headache, more coughing, body weakness and total discomfort.
HELPLINE / Hospitals
Mumbai: Kasturba Hospital Ph:022- 23083901 / 23092458 / 23000889
Mumbai: Bhabha Hospital in Bandra Ph:26422775 / 26429828 / 26406787
Mumbai: Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar Ph:022-25094149
Delhi: Malviya Nagar hospital Ph:011-26689999
Delhi: RML Hospital
Chennai: Communicable Disease Hospital Ph:
91-11-24525211, 23404328
Bangalore: Rajiv Gandhi Institute Of Chest Diseases Ph:91-80-26631923
Pune: Dr. Naidu Infectious Disease Hospital Ph:09923130909
Nagpur: Govt Medical College and Hospital Ph:0712-2750730
Kolkatta: Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital Ph:09433392182
What is SWINE FLU History/past?
Swine flu was first proposed to be a disease related to human influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic, when pigs became sick at the same time as humans.
The H1N1 form of swine flu is one of the descendants of the strain that caused the 1918 flu pandemic. As well as persisting in pigs, the descendants of the 1918 virus have also circulated in humans through the 20th century, contributing to the normal seasonal epidemics of influenza. However, direct transmission from pigs to humans is rare.
The 1918 flu pandemic in humans was associated with H1N1 and influenza appearing in pigs; this may reflect a zoonosis either from swine to humans or from humans to swine. Although it is not certain in which direction the virus was transferred, some evidence suggests that, in this case, pigs caught the disease from humans. For instance, swine influenza was only noted as a new disease of pigs in 1918, after the first large outbreaks of influenza amongst people.
How SWINE FLU transmites/spreads between pigs/swine and human?
The 2009 H1N1 virus is not zoonotic swine flu, as it is not transmitted from pigs to humans, but from person to person.
The transmission of infection is through direct contact between infected and uninfected animals. The close contacts are particularly common during transport or transfer. In other words the Intensive farming may increase the risk of transmission, as the pigs are raised in very close proximity to each other.
Virus directly transfers either by pigs touching noses, through dried mucus, transmission through the aerosols produced by pigs coughing or sneezing. The virus usually spreads quickly through a herd, infecting all the pigs within just a few days. Wild animals like boar can also transmitte and spread the disease between farms.
Humans working with poultry and swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at increased risk of swine flu. Transmission and at risk of infection are veterinarians, meat processing workers and farm workers.
What are the symptoms of SWINE FLU in human and swine/pig?
The infection in pigs produces fever, sneezing, coughing, and difficulty in breathing, decreased appetite and in rare cases abortion. The infection can produce weight loss of aprox 12 pounds over a 20-30 days time and poor growth.
In humans the symptoms of the 2009 "swine flu" H1N1 virus are similar to those like illness in general. The actual symptoms include getting fever, deep cough, real sore throat, body aches, heavy headache, chills and fatigue. The 2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients reporting diarrhea and vomiting.
The most common cause of death is respiratory failure; other causes of death are pneumonia which may lead to sepsis, high fever which leading to neurological problems, dehydration from excessive vomiting and diarrhea and electrolyte imbalance. Fatalities are more likely in young children and the elderly.
How to prevent SWINE FLU?
The virus is unlikely to survive outside living cells for more than two weeks, except in cold (but above freezing) conditions and it is readily inactivated by disinfectants.
There are three different components to prevent
2 2) 2) Prevention of transmission to humans,
3) 3) Prevention of virus spread among humans.
Prevention in swine:-
Using vaccination, keeping the infected pigs separate, Facility management includes using disinfectants and ambient temperature to control virus in the environment. New animals should be quarantined.
Prevention of transmission to humans:-
Encouraged humans and workers to use a face mask when dealing with infected animals. Use vaccines on swine to prevent their infection and limiting swine to human transmission. Avoide smoking and not wearing gloves when working with sick animals to stop swine-to-human transmission.
Prevention of virus spread among humans:-
Virus spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth. The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness. So take care and do not get in contact with more people area.
Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public. Chance of transmission is also reduced by disinfecting household surfaces, which can be done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach solution.
Virus can spread in coughs or sneezes, and the virus can linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria. Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should contact a doctor for advice.
What treatment should be done to stop SWINE FLU?
In pigs:-
Little treatment beyond rest and supportive care is required since swine flu is rarely fatal to pigs. Instead veterinary efforts are focused on preventing the spread of the virus throughout the farms, Vaccination and animal management techniques are important. Also antibiotics can be used to treat this disease, which help to prevent bacterial pneumonia and other secondary infections.
In humans:-
Antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. It also prevents serious flu complications. For treatment, focuses on controlling fevers, relieving pain and maintaining fluid balance, as well as identifying and treating any secondary infections or other medical problems.
this articles written for public awareness.
Note : Pl take medicine according to doctor instruction only.
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