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Swine influenza (also called swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) . Swine flu in another name is known as H1N1 virus flu detected in 2009. It is actually a respiratory disorder, symptom of pigs that is caused by ‘type A’ influenza viruses. Influenza viruses that are commonly circulating among pigs/swine are actually the ‘swine influenza viruses’ or the ‘swine flu viruses’.
As there are many subtypes and strains in these particular flu viruses, there are three types as the major virus causing factors – which was found in the US in the recent years:
How humans get infected?
Humans are being affected by influenza illness on a major cause. As per science, the influenza viruses of type A, B & C have actually encased RNA viruses with a segmented genome of 8 (eight) different RNA segments. An influenza virus that affects humans might cause & affect the respiratory system of swine actually as swine influenza virus. That is with reproduced RNA strands from the humans affecting virus which got enclosed by mistaken inside the encased swine influenza virus. For better understanding, it is that of one cell can hold 8 (eight) numbers of swine flu and human flu RNA segments. There are actually 16 types of RNA variations, hence four for each swine and the humans – which could find incorporated into one single particle.
Various RNA segment combinations can result in new subtypes (antigenic shift) wherein the higher possibilities to affect humans. And on the other part, pigs play a big role as transitional host to catch hold of new varieties of bird flu causes (pigs respiratory cells are down with immune power hence the get infected by the bird flu easily and almost easily get infected by other mammalian flu viruses even). Its respiratory bag will look like a pot with mixed viruses; hence, it transmits the disease to the humans easily when anyone gets in direct handling of swine.
INCUBATION PERIOD
The incubation period for swine flu (time between infection and appearance of symptoms) can be up to seven days, but is most likely to be between two and five days. It is, however, at this stage there is no certainty about the incubation period.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu might actually develop within 1 to 3 days of being infected. Most of the people will show in a day as we discussed early. However, when you notice any a persistent cough, with prolonging tiredness for more than a week, then you have to be serious in taking care of you. The symptoms of HIN1 flu virus (human swine flu) are very similar to those of seasonal human influenza.
Appending below are few of the core infection.
The severity of symptoms can vary from mild to severe and sometimes require hospitalization. In some cases, severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure can cause death. Like the seasonal flu, swine flu may worsen existing chronic medical conditions. The symptoms that occur commonly among flu infection and cold are the following:
There are quite a few of these that occur in the human bodies and finding out whether it is just cold or is it flu is a challenging factor. Appending below are the main differences:
Flu Symptoms
Common Cold Symptoms
Most probably, tricky situations of swine flu can be seen on the people with higher medical risks, say for instance; pregnant women, elderly citizens, those who have weakened the immune system and those who are all under long-term medications. It is highly recommended and important that the above groups must go for annual vaccination without any excuses.
Appending below are the complications that lead from swine flu infection:
Fortunately, the mortality rates and the fatal syndromes are lowered down by proper awareness of vaccination, increased hygiene level, the rapid development of a new vaccine, and well-understood self-isolation by affected individuals.
Swine flu vaccine: Taking up of annual swine flu vaccine will help to fight against such H1N1 type of virus and will reduce the risk of being affected by this disease.
Adults above 18 and children aged between 6 months to 2 years are generally given an annual vaccine injection, wherein children below 2 years are given annual nasal spray. The right time to go for swine flu vaccination is that autumn (September to November). Taking up of the vaccination is very important in each year, as the virus of winter may vary & change from last winter’s. Hence by annual vaccination, you can stay safe.
Side-effects: Almost all the vaccinations are accompanied with minimal side effects. Common side effects of H1N1 vaccines both single or with a combination of other flu viral strands show below appending side effects.
Flu vaccination: In another term as known as flu shots show redness, soreness, mild swelling on the injected area, muscle pain, the low-grade temperature for less than 24 hours.
Nasal spray: Nasal spray for children below 2 years will show the side effect signs of a runny nose, low-level temperature, cough, sore throat, vomiting for not more than 1 day.
Intradermal vaccination: Redness, soreness, muscle pain, headache accompanied by fatigue can be seen as side effects.
Antiviral treatment: To prevent from being affected by the flu in the following conditions, antiviral medicines of Oseltamivir (for Tamiflu) or Zanamivir (for Relenza) are to be taken necessarily.
The CDC realtime RT‐PCR (rRTPCR) protocol for the detection and characterization of Swine Influenza includes a panel of oligonucleotide primers and dual labeled probes to be used in real time RT‐PCR assays for the invitro qualtitative detection and characterization of swine influenza viruses in respiratory specimens and viral cultures. The first primer‐probe set, Influenza A is designed for universal detection of type A influenza viruses. The swInfA primer and probe set is designed specifically to detect all swine influenza A viruses. The swH1 set is designed specifically to detect swine H1 influenza. The fourth set detects the human Rnase P gene and reflects that the assay has been carried out properly without any inhibition of PCR.
INTERPRETATION
A sample is said to be positive for Swine flu (H1N1) if all three targets i.e. Influenza A, H1N1 Influenza A, and H1N1 Influenza A subtype H1 are detected. If a sample is positive for only two of the above targets a repeat sample is recommended. If all four targets are negative, a repeat sample should be done.
A negative result does not preclude the presence of Influenza A H1N1 infection because results depend on adequate specimen collection, absence of inhibitors, and sufficient RNA to be detected.
HOW SWINE FLU IS TREATED?
After testing positive for swine flu , patient should immediately quarantined in an isolated room or in hospital . National institute of communicable disease(NICD) information says that the swine flu can be treated if caught very early with two of the anti‐viral medications oseltamivir (Tamiflu/Fluvir) and zanamivir (Relenza). Tamiflu is for treatment in adults and children aged 1 year and older, and must be taken within 48 hours of the first symptom.
Till now this strain of influenza virus is in a dynamic state means there is no consistency( in scientific terms it keeps on mutating) in its level of occurrence because evidently in some patients its being treated successfully with Tamilflu and in some tamilflu is ineffective. And moreover at present there is no effective vaccine present.
So basically precaution is the best treatment.
PRECAUTION
As the flu is now spreading via person ‐to‐person contact; the infection primarily spreads when a person comes in close contact with an infected person. The simple way to minimize the risk is by covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing and wearing a mask while going close to the infected person.
Maintaining high level of hygiene is also important and one should always wash hands frequently with soap and water.
Since influenza spreads through both air and contact with contaminated surfaces, surface sanitizing may help prevent some infections. For that alcohol is an effective sanitizer, bleach can also be used to sanitize rooms or equipment that have been occupied by patients with influenza symptoms.
No, not exactly the H1N1 virus spreads by eating pork and pork-related food stuff. However, it is advised to have completely cooked and boiled pork foodstuff.
Absolutely yes! However, some people may react with allergic conditions once after getting the vaccine. You can inform your doctor if you ever had an allergic symptom during your earlier vaccination. No need to panic, wherein the allergic conditions are having a slight fever, or could be an allergic reaction against intake of egg or chicken for some few days.
Though you are falling under the group of risk fellows, but still you feel a fear of H1N1 infection, you should notice the following signs & symptoms of swine flu to give immediate medical attention. For adults: difficulty while breathing, convulsions and breath shortness. For children: difficulty in waking up, could not drink enough fluids, subsequent temperature of fever, persistent cough & cold, fever accompanied by rashes, and punishing irritability that even makes the elder push away them.
Apart from vaccination, you can run yourself in following the below-appending checklist to safeguard yourself in getting catch hold from this deadly disease.
If you are an affected individual, please stop spreading the virus
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