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Five years after the pandemic of swine flu in 2009, the world still faces deadly consequences of the illness. This year s first death case due to swine flu in India was recently reported. The patient was diagnosed with swine flu on May 13, 2014. He was from Kota, Rajasthan and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
The number of reported swine flu cases this year might not be as high as the previous ones for now, but this case definitely creates an alarming situation. Clearly, we need to understand the disease in a better way to prevent more number of deaths due to the illness. 10 facts about swine flu, you should know.
Causes and risk factors of swine flu
Swine flu is a respiratory illness caused by the swine influenza virus (SIV). The pandemic of swine flu was caused by the SIV sub type H1N1. But other subtypes H1N2, H1N3, H3N1, H3N2 and H2N3 can also cause the illness. The virus was termed H1N1 because it mainly exhibited two types of antigens hemagglutinin 1 and neuraminidase 1.
The illness is originally known to affect pigs. It is known to have spread to humans who came in direct contact with pigs. However, the new virus or the mutated type of virus that has emerged over the years has the ability to affect humans without direct contact with pigs. The virus is transmitted from person to person through the same medium as other flu viruses. A healthy person may acquire the infection by inhaling droplets expelled by the infected person while coughing or sneezing or by contacting surfaces infected with the virus. The virus is not transmitted directly by eating cooked pork.
Since swine flu can directly be transmitted from one person to another through air droplets, people who fail to follow proper hygiene, especially in crowded places are at a high risk of contracting the virus. But, according to observations, there are specific groups of individuals that have been the most affected by the illness. The group at a high risk includes:
These risk groups have been identified based on observation and doesn t imply that you have swine flu if you have flu like symptoms and belong to any of the above risk groups. But, you should seek necessary medical care if you have flu symptoms.
Symptoms of swine flu
Most of the symptoms of swine flu are quite similar to regular influenza. Symptoms include:
Diagnosis of swine flu
Diagnosis of swine flu influenza A infection is done by laboratory analysis. If you have flu like symptoms, your respiratory specimen will be collected, preferably within 4 to 5 days of visible symptoms. A real time PCR test is done where the viral genetic material is identified.
Treatment and prevention of swine flu
Once the patient is tested positive for swine flu, treatment needs to be initiated immediately. According to the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD), swine flu can be completely treated if it is diagnosed at a very early stage. The anti viral medicines oseltamivir (Tamiflu/Fluvir) and zanamivir (Relenza) are given to diagnosed patients. Oseltamivir is given to in adults as well as to children below the age of 1 year. As per NICD, the medicine should be administered within 48 hours of the first symptom. The drugs work by inhibiting the ability of virus to release progeny virus particles.
Prevention of swine flu
Just like other influenza viruses, H1N1 infection can be prevented by practicing basic hygiene. Here are some tips to prevent swine flu:
Vaccination
Vaccination is the best way to prevent swine flu. Currently, H1N1 vaccines including Influvac, Agrippal, Vaxigrip, Vaxiflu-S and Fluarix are available in the market. The vaccine is injectable and costs around Rs. 600-700 per dose. Doctors advise people to get a repeat vaccine dose every year for effective prevention of swine flu.
References:
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of swine flu.
Image source: Getty Images
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