Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by Type A influenza viruses (H1N1) that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.
What are the symptoms ?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, and sore throat, running nose, breathlessness, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting
How does it spread and how can one protect oneself ?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick.
Frequent hand washing, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, avoiding touching eyes, nose mouth avoid spitting ,using mask if required are important preventive measures
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms contact your family doctor .He will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
What is the treatment ?
Anti viral drug such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or Zanamivir (Relenza®) is used for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses.
However, please do not use them without doctor’s advise.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the informative post. Currently, health authorities said two drugs commonly used to treat swine flu - oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamirvir (relenza), seem to be effective at treating cases that have occurred so far. But the drugs must be given at an early stage. An infected person should recover if treated within 48 hours with antiviral drugs. The best way to contain the spread until it dies down is to see a doctor when symptoms show up and to practice good personal hygiene.