Swine flu refers to a respiratory infection caused by influenza A viruses that ordinarily cause illness in pigs. Humans can catch swine flu from infected pigs, but pig-to-human transmission is unusual.
The symptoms are similar to the common flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Learn more about swine flu and how to treat it in the link below.
The single most effective way to stop or slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu is to prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze this is advice that has been given for many years by is still a very effective way to help you avoid spreading or contracting swine flu,also remember if you or a family member are ill or have the swine flu symptoms
Prevention
• Avoid crowded areas and maintain good ventilation to reduce contact with viruses.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth if you are caring for someone with a flu-like illness, or if you are ill yourself. This will reduce the risk of transmission.
• Avoid visiting patients in hospitals. Their immune systems are already weak. Avoid contact with person having symptoms of influenza.
Since the swine flu story broke a couple of weeks ago, it seems the anchors on the 24-hour news networks haven’t breathed without mentioning the virus. There were minor interruptions to the coverage, like a crazy high speed semi-truck chase, but the majority of stories revolved around the outbreak
Flu is a serious disease, whether it be swine flu, bird flu or your common or garden variety that comes around every year. It’s unlikely that you can protect yourself by wearing a mask, but it could stop you sneezing on others if you have it. Flu can last on door knobs and other surfaces for up to 3 days. It can be passed by a kiss on the cheek. If you have any flu, don’t spread it around. Don’t take it out shopping or to work with you where you can infect other people.
Treatment and medication – While swine flu can generally be cured by the four antiviral drugs approved for curing flu in the US, amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir, the recent 2009 swine flu outbreak viruses have been found to be resistant to the first two drugs. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are now recommended for treatment and prevention of swine influenza.
The H1N1/swine flu virus is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A flu virus. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Similar to human, pigs do get flu. It is widely believed that though swine flu generally do not infect human, pig to human transmission has occurred in the past and notably among persons who had direct exposure to pigs carrying the virus at the time.
Within weeks many reports of health ailments ranging from severe headaches to heart attacks to the acquiring of the rare Guillain-Barre syndrome were reported. By December 16, 1976, the reports were so scandalous, the usually intransigent and self-righteous U.S. government was forced to suspend the mass inoculation plan having inoculated approximately 40 million people for a flu that never came.
