SwineFlu Risk Factors and Precautions
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1. What is Swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory
disease caused by influenza viruses
which infects the respiratory tract of pigs and result in a barking cough,
decreased appetite, nasal secretions, and listless behavior; the virus can be
transmitted to humans. Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease caused by viruses
(influenza viruses) that infect the respiratory tract of pigs, resulting in
nasal secretions, a barking cough, decreased appetite, and listless behavior.
Swine flu produces most of the same symptoms in pigs as human flu produces in
people. Swine flu can last about one to two weeks in pigs that survive. Swine
influenza virus was first secluded from pigs in 1930 in the U.S. and has been documented
by pork producers and veterinarians to cause infections in pigs worldwide. In a
number of instances, people have developed the swine flu infection when they
are closely connected with pigs (for example, farmers, pork processors), and
likewise, pig populations have rarely been infected with the human flu
infection. In most instances, the cross-species infections (swine virus to man;
human flu virus to pigs) have remained in local areas and have not caused
national or worldwide infections in either pigs or humans. Unfortunately, this
cross-species situation with influenza viruses has had the potential to change.
Investigators decided the 2009 so-called "swine flu" strain, first
seen in Mexico, should be termed novel H1N1 flu since it was mainly found
infecting people and exhibits two main surface antigens, H1 (hemagglutinin type
1) and N1 (neuraminidase type1). The eight RNA strands from novel H1N1 flu have
one strand derived from human flu strains, two from avian (bird) strains, and
five from swine strains.
What is Swine Flu?- Video
1. How is Swine Flu Transmitted?
Swine flu is transmitted from
person to person by inhalation or ingestion of droplets containing virus from
people sneezing or coughing; it is not transmitted by eating cooked pork
products. The newest swine flu virus that has caused swine flu is influenza A
H3N2v (commonly termed H3N2v) that began as an outbreak in 2011. The
"v" in the name means the virus is a variant that normally infects
only pigs but has begun to infect humans. There have been small outbreaks of
H1N1 since the pandemic; a recent one is in India where at least three people
have died.
Note: The most serious complication of
the flu is pneumonia and respiratory failure.
Diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes,
but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu. Swine flu viruses may mutate
(change) so that they are easily transmissible among humans.
The 2009 swine flu outbreak
(pandemic) was due to infection with the H1N1 virus and was first observed in
Mexico.
Symptoms of swine flu in humans
are similar to most influenza infections: fever (100 F or greater), cough,
nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache.
Vaccination is the best way to
prevent or reduce the chances of becoming infected with influenza viruses.
Two antiviral agents, zanamivir
(Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu), have been reported to help prevent or
reduce the effects of swine flu if taken within 48 hours of the onset of
symptoms.
Precautions For Swine Flu
1.Stay Home
If you are ill or have any
flu-like symptoms, don’t go outside (stay in home). Do not go to school or
work. Swine flu symptoms may mimic those of regular flu and cold symptoms.
2.Contain Your Cough
Cough or sneeze into the crook
(inside elbow) of your arm. This way you do not transfer the germs to your
hands and then to every object you touch. Swine flu is very contagious, and can
spread easily by touching an infected object and then touching your face. A flu
mask will help you avoid infection in enclosed spaces.
3.Wash Hands Frequently
Wash hands constantly to avoid
swine flu. Anything you touch may be affected, so keeping hands clean will help
you avoid infection.
4.Hand Sanitizer
Carry hand sanitizer with you. If
you have things others have touched, use your hand sanitizer to avoid swine flu
infection. In addition, avoid shaking hands or other hand to hand contact
whenever possible. Also avoid kissing on the cheek or other face to face
contact as a greeting method.
Touch public handles and pens as
little as possible. These are loaded with germs that may carry the swine flu
virus.
When you fly, be most diligent
about following these guidelines. Transferring any flu, including swine flu, is
most likely in close quarters like an airplane.
7.Clean You’re Produce
The life span of a virus is
different for each and can vary from as much as 48 hours to 100 years depending
on the hardiness of the virus. Although there have been no known cases of swine
flu transmission through fruit and vegetable consumption, there does seem to be
some concern about the possibility. The best bet is to buy locally grown fruits
and vegetables if possible. Make sure you wash your fruits and vegetables with
water, and soak for greater effectiveness. Washes and using chlorinated rinses
have not been proven to work. So far there have been no cases of swine flu
transmission through fruits and vegetable sources.
8.Avoid Crowds
Stay out of crowds as much as
possible. Close proximity to other people will heighten your chances of to get
swine flu. Wear a surgical mask in areas of high traffic concentration. Try to
stay at least 3-6 feet away from people.
9.Eating and Drinking
Do not eat or drink after others
without complete sanitization of containers or utensils. Swine flu can be
transmitted by contact with infected eating utensils.
10.Vaccinations
Vaccinations are not effective
against the H1N1 virus. If you contract the virus get to the doctor within 36
hours and ask for Tamiflu or Relenza. These antiviral medicines will halt the
progression of H1N1 or Swine flu virus.
11.Visit Your Doctor
Get to a doctor immediately if
you develop symptoms of swine flu including high fever and body aches. Swine
flu can be deadly, and it is imperative to get to a physician immediately if
you think you have swine flu symptoms and think you might have contracted the
swine flu virus. Both Tamiflu and Relenza are antiviral medicines that are
currently effective against some strains of Swine Flu. These medicines should
be taken within 36 hours of flu infection for maximum effectiveness.
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