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Swine Flu (Swine Influenza A Virus) [H1N1 & H3N2 Strain Virus]
Swine flu is the viral disease that mainly affects the respiratory tract of pigs.
(Swine means stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous animals like pigs, hog,
grunter, squealer & sus sucrofa.) The swine flu is also called pig influenza, swine
flu, hog flu and pig flu.
Introduction & Background The term swine flu means influenza in pigs. The infected pigs come into contact
with hog farm workers and veterinarians. This makes them susceptible to swine
flu virus, a contagious virus that may transmit this swine infection and in turn
these personalities are the source of infection in others.
The very first case of human respiratory infection by swine flu virus (influenza
virus H1N1 strain –H1N1 strain has already been isolated in 2003 in Mexico) was
reported in spring 2009, late flu season. A months later, confirmed cases of H1N1
strain started increasing in almost all parts of the world. Noticing this, World
Health Organization declared this infection a global pandemic. This official
designation, Global Pandemic, was remained for more than a year until was
declared over (finish off) in August 2010.
Another strain of swine flu, H3N2 variant, has also made its way into humans. The
research showed that this strain also contains a gene form H1N1 virus. So far,
H3N2 viral strain has only been transmitted through human exposure to swine,
not from human to human.
What Is Swine Flu? Swine flu (swine influenza) is the disease of respiratory tract caused by the
influenza viruses (special strain i-e H1N1 and others) that affect the respiratory
tract of the pigs. The presenting complaints shown in pigs are nasal secretions, a
barking cough, decreased appetite and listless behavior. The signs and symptoms
appear in pigs are similar with that produced in humans by human flu virus.
Swine influenza virus was firstly isolated from the pigs in 1930 in USA owing to
cause infections in pigs noticed by pork producers and veterinarians. Now it has
been recognized to cause infectious diseases in pigs worldwide.
In most cases, the people have developed the swine flu disease or infection when
they are closely associated with pigs like those of farmers, pork processors and
likewise the pig populations are also susceptible to develop infection from human
flu virus (cases of pig populations infection by human flu virus are occasionally
seen). In most instances, swine flu infection to man and human flu virus infection
to pigs i-e cross-species infection have remained in local areas (endemic cases)
and have not caused pandemic or worldwide infections either in humans or pigs.
Unluckily, this cross species infection has had potential to change itself
(phenotype or genotype). The investigational studies cleared it that the novel
swine flu strain (H1N1), isolated in 2003 in Mexico was not the same strain
isolated in 1930 in USA from pigs since it differed from the previous strain
genetically. 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.
The newest swine flu virus (recently reported) that has caused swine flu is
influenza A H3N2varient (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.
Symptoms Of Swine Flu The signs and symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of infections with other
strains produced in humans;
Fever ≥100oF
Cough
Sore throat
Chills
Nasal secretions
Body aches
Fatigue
Nausea & Vomiting
Headache
Diarrhea
The symptoms develop about one to three days after you're exposed to the virus
and continue for about eight days (starting one day before you get sick and
continuing until you've recovered).
When To See Your Doctor? Flu need not concern much if you are generally healthy and got flu symptoms like
fever, cough and body ache but do visit your doctor if you are pregnant or have
some kind of chronic disease like emphysema or heart problems.
How Is Swine Flu Diagnosed? The diagnosis is made clinically by evolving patient’s history which include their
associated or contact with people known to have disease or dealing with pigs.
The prompt diagnosis besides clinical evaluation includes nasopharyngeal swab
culture to confirm the presence of influenza virus A or B. The following
interpretation can be made;
a) If test is negative, no flu is there.
b) If test is positive for influenza B, simple flu is there.
c) If test is positive for influenza A, swine flu is there.
The accuracy of these tests has been challenged and U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) still have to complete comparative studies for it.
Several other tests are under work which can give results in one hour. Most of
these tests are PCR based tests.
Causes/ Source Of Infection Swine influenza viruses affect the respiratory tract mainly lining of nose, throat
and lungs so it must have to assess through these routes. The swine flu virus is
transmitted from person to person by inhalation or ingestion of contaminated
droplets (droplets containing virus) from people sneezing or coughing or from a
contaminated surface to your eyes, nose and mouth.
Note: - It is not transmitted by eating cooked pork products.
Risk Factors Certain factors enhance chances of getting infection so you must avoid those
factors.
A travel to endemic area (where a lot of people are affected locally) of
swine flu H1N1 infection, renders you at high risk of getting exposed to the
virus, particularly in crowded areas.
Swine farmers, veterinarians and others with close exposure to pigs have
the highest risk of swine flu.
Exposure to swine at seasonal fairs is also documented but due to H3N2
variant infection.
Complications As it is cleared, flu need not concern much if you are generally healthy and got flu
symptoms like fever, cough and body ache but do visit your doctor if you are
pregnant or have some kind of chronic disease like emphysema or heart problems
because it may causes complications. Swine influenza complications include;
Pneumonia
Respiratory failure
Neurological symptoms (confusion to seizures)
Worsening of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes,
emphysema and asthma.
Treatment Most cases of flu including swine flu H1N1 need no treatment other than
symptomatic relief. But the cases that need concern are of chronic diseases like
heart diseases or some sort of respiratory diseases and pregnant lady as well. The
doctor may prescribe medication to prevent complications.
The anti-viral drugs Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are prescribed to reduce the
severity of the symptoms but resistance is much common against these drugs. So
to make development of resistance less likely, these drugs are reserved for cases
with high risk of complications.
The cases with high risk of complication are;
Patients with shortness of breath (SOB) having flu
Patients younger than 5 years of age (particularly younger than 2 years)
Advanced age persons particularly older than 65 years
Pregnant lady especially postpartum lady within two week or a lady with
pregnancy loss
Youngers with Reye’s syndrome( a rare but life threatening condition)
receiving aspirin therapy
Patient with chronic medical conditions, including asthma, emphysema,
heart disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disease, obesity and kidney, liver or
blood disease
Immunosuppressed persons due to medications or HIV
Preventions The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend flu
vaccination for all Americans older than 6 months of age. An H1N1 virus is one
component of the seasonal flu shot for 2013-2014 that also protects against two
or three other influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during
the 2013-2014 flu seasons.
The trials have made to make vaccine available as an injection or a nasal spray.
The nasal spray is approved for use in healthy people ranging from 2 - 49 years of
age (females who are not pregnant).
Some measures should be done to prevent swine flu and limit its spread;
Stay Home If You Are Sick. If you do have H1N1 swine flu, you can transmit
it to others starting about 24 hours before you develop symptoms
(incubation period) and ending about seven days later.
Observe Hygiene. Wash your hands with soap some kind of cleaner. Flu
viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces such as doorknobs
and countertops (influenza virus can transmit from a contaminated surface
to your eyes, nose and mouth).
Cover Your Mouth & Nose When You Sneeze Or Cough. To avoid
contamination & reduce the risk of transmission of virus to others, cover
your mouth & nose while sneezing or coughing.
Lifestyle Modification & Home Remedies Diseases always need not cure with medication but with certain modifications in
lifestyle and using natural cure or home remedies. So if you come down with flu,
some measures may help you a lot.
Get some rest as to help your immune system to fight.
Drink plenty of water, juices and hot drink as to prevent dehydration.
Seek help from nature to guard yourself by using immune boosting foods
Care using pain relievers as these as side effects as well. Use
acetaminophen and ibuprofen cautiously. Use caution while give aspirin to
children and teenagers. Never give aspirin to children recovering from
chickenpox or having flu-like symptoms as aspirin is associated with Reye’s
syndrome – a rare toxic liver disease.
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