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Swine flu or swine influenza is a disease common in swine, with normal flu-like symptoms, but caused by any strain of the swine influenza virus (SIV – virus endemic in pigs). Though rare in humans, individuals with greater exposure to swine could contract swine influenza if the swine are carrying the particular rare strain of the SIV that is capable of affecting humans. Even then, it is a rare occurrence for the strain to be able to pass from human to human. This could occur if the SIV is able to mutate into a form that can be easily transmitted among humans.

The swine flu outbreak of 2009 is believed to be caused by such a mutated strain of the SIV. The current outbreak is called swine flu only because one of the surface proteins of the tested virus is similar to the one which infects pigs. It is still unknown if this is currently infecting pigs though it’s clearly spreading among people, leading the World Health Organization to raise the Phase 4 pandemic alert. This new strain responsible for the outbreak has been found to be a re-assortment of strains of the influenza A virus subtype H1N1. These strains are separately endemic in humans and in swine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) would help in treatment and prevention. Antiviral drugs, if started within two days of the manifestation of symptoms, succeed in reducing the severity of the symptoms, preventing further complications, and hastening cure. The most effective method of prevention is to wash hands frequently with soap or with a foam or alcohol-based gel hand wash that helps wipe away bacteria and viruses. Vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 strain outbreak are in the development stage and are expected to be ready by June 2009.

Swine Flu Symptoms

The swine flu is the thing what we are mostly discussed in these days and most of the people are really interested to get knowing what this is. According to the scientific explanation, swine flu is a virus which was originated with the swine and now it has spread to the humans also. They have named this virus as Swine influenza (H1-N1) and still remain as a critical virus category. Because of that, still there are not vaccines in order to prevent from the infection and the only thing we can do is control the spread of it.

If you are really interest and concern on stopping the spread, then there few basic things you can follow through.  As an example, it is always better to cover up your nose and mouth while you’re sneezing and when going near to a person who is sneezing or coughing, the reason is that this virus can be spread through the air and you need to take all possible precautions to stop it.

Also if you are feeling not well and sick, then it is always better to get the immediate medical attention as it can be the beginning of the swine flu. Since it is the beginning, the doctors can do some little more in order to keep your situation under control till they find a proper solution for the virus.

However the doctors has identified that there are no specific symptoms for this swine virus and the symptoms are same as normal flu. So if you are having heavy headache, fever , chilling, body ache, vomiting, diarrhea and any other symptom with relevant to the normal flue, it is always recommended to get medical attention and try to cover up your mouth & nose always. So it will be a great help to prevent the virus being spread.

Since this virus is originated with the swine, the doctors and scientists are still doing their investigations in order to find a proper cure for the virus. So the state government has given the full support for this process as they have understood the gravity of the situation.

Also most of the meat processors have stopped producing pork due to this situation and the market also refusing pork. So it is a good point to avoid the spread of virus and it needs to be controlled accordingly. However the farmers have taken necessary precautions to keep the swine away from the other animals and the foods available at the farm to assure the safety from the swine flu. However by the time of now, few infected people have died due to the swine flu and it is a good point to understand the critical condition of this situation. Because of that, the scientists and the doctors work with their maximum capacity in order to find a proper solution for this critical virus. So the people are awaiting a very good solution in the very near future.

H1N1 Symptoms

Swine influenza – Swine influenza or swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by the type A H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV). Humans in close proximity to swine could contract swine influenza if the swine are carrying the rare strain of the SIV that is capable of affecting humans.

Symptoms – Swine flu symptoms in humans are generally similar to regular flu (influenza) symptoms and include muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, lack of appetite, fever, chills, and general weakness and discomfort. Other reported symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Transmission – Swine flu spreads from pigs to humans when humans are close to infected pigs. People working in barns or visiting livestock exhibits housing infected pigs are likely to get affected. Transmission from humans to humans can occur when the infected individual coughs or sneezes when others are close by. Putting one’s hands to the nose or mouth after touching anything with the flu viruses on it could also spread the infection. Consuming well-cooked pork and pork products won’t cause infection as cooking to an internal temperature of 160°F kills bacteria and viruses, including the swine flu virus.

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.

Prevention – Swine flu can be prevented by taking certain precautionary measures, such as washing hands frequently with soap or an alcohol-based hand wash. Staying away from infected individuals is important as their coughing or sneezing could spread the infection. If instances of infection are reported in your locality, stay indoors as far as possible. Swine flue vaccine could be out by June 2009.

Symptoms of H1N1

H1N1 And Your Baby Can Be A Vulnerable Mix That Can Have Deadly Complications

For some people with certain diseases, there is an increased risk for complications or even death if they are infected with the swine flu. If an outbreak of H1N1 occurs and your baby has a lung condition like asthma, your baby may have a higher risk for dangerous complications or even death. Those who suffer from asthma have a much higher probability of developing severe complications than others.

In fact, almost 41 percent of swine flu hospital patients in New York City suffered from asthma. And recently, seven deaths relating to swine flu were reported in New York. Of those seven deaths, 6 of them involved people who had asthma. If you are worried about H1N1 and your baby with asthma, you should speak with your physician and see if he recommends any special precautions regarding the swine flu even if there is no flu in the area where you live.

The H1N1 swine flu is a virus that brings about influenza in humans. The virus has gone through a recent mutation into its present form. Due to this mutation, humans have no immunity to the illness. This is the reason that governments worldwide are worried about the possibility of a pandemic.

Like the seasonal influenza, serious complications and even death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus. In the U. S. alone, about 36,000 folks die each year from flu related complications.

If you are worried about H1N1 and your baby, protecting your family, or know someone that has a special risk factor, do some swine flu preparation. Do what is necessary to protect yourself and your family from the swine influenza. Once a pandemic occurs, it may be too late to do anything.

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Vaccine for H1N1

There is a lot of anxiety among our society concerning the Swine Flu. It wouldn’t be my personal preference to catch the illness because it seems to give a hard swift punishment to the victim. This strain can carry morph into any one of the three strains of influenza. Pigs do carry influenza viruses and can adapt or morph in humans. The swine flu can also change to infect birds, causing the strain to switch genes and create a pandemic.

Like any type of new illness there are precautions people can take to prevent infection and the spread of the Swine Flu. It natural for people to cough directly into their hands. All the germs coming from the reparatory system are transported from the internal body and passed along to places, like car keys, door knobs, drinking fountains, and door handles. This can devastate the main population if one is carrying the actual Swine Flu. Create a habit of coughing into your shoulder or into your arm to minimize the spread of all germs and not just the Swine Flu.

At night it would be favorable to spray Lysol spray on light switches, toilet seats, toilet handles, freezer and fridge handles to kill the Swine flu and other bacteria. Lysol is a powerful deterrent to assist in the spread of germs, and illness. Pump bottles of hand sanitizer will help kill the germs on the surface of the skin and can assist in preventing the spread of the Swine flu. But there is a more advanced and preferred method to preventing the spread of Swine Flu.

We have been taught from an early age to wash our hands. Many take for granted the hand washing philosophy. The truth is that Lysol, hand sanitizer, coughing into the arm are all good ways but a good solid deep hand wash is the number one method for preventing the spread of germs. Hand sanitizer, and Lysol only kill the surface of where these items are applied. A deep hand wash bypasses the surface of the skin and really digs down to the grooves and pits of the hand. Ridges within the hand can be microscopic and hard to get reach for the Lysol, and hand sanitizer. A good hefty dose of liquid soap will grind down to the microscopic ridges and pours in the hand and do real damage to destroy the Swine Flu.

Vaccine for H1N1