Swine flu is a type of influenza virus which is endemic in pig populations. Like other members of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses, which cause influenza, this virus has a very high mutation rate, recombining with other subtypes of swine flu in addition to flu viruses which infect other animals, such as humans and birds. When swine flu acquires genetic material from avian and human influenzas, it can become zoonotic, which means that it may cross between species.
Two genera of influenza, Influenza A and Influenza B, are seen in pigs. In some regions, as many as 50% of pigs are infected, and different subtypes of flu evolve in different areas of the world. The versions of swine flu seen in European pigs, for example, are different from those observed in pigs in Asia. Common Influenza A subtypes seen in pigs include H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2. Occasionally, humans who work closely with pigs will develop influenza infection as a result of close contact, but the virus will not spread further, because the virus can normally only be passed from pigs to people, not from person to person. Swine flu is not spread by eating pork, even in cases when the virus mutates and becomes dangerous to humans.
In very rare cases, swine flu can evolve so that it can spread from person to person, or from swine to birds to people, creating the risk of a flu epidemic or even a pandemic. This almost occurred in 1976, when a soldier at Fort Dix in the United States sickened and died as a result of swine flu infection, creating fears that a major outbreak of flu might occur. The United States rushed to create an appropriate vaccine and embarked on a mass vaccination program, but the flu failed to spread, and the hasty formulation of a vaccine was later blamed for numerous adverse reactions to vaccination.
When swine flu mutates so that it can be passed from person to person, it can be spread through droplets in the air such as those spread by coughing, and through contact with contaminated surfaces like doorknobs and counters. People are capable of spreading the virus before symptoms emerge, and for several days after they are treated and the flu is resolved. The symptoms of swine influenza are similar to those of other seasonal flus: fatigue, joint pain, nausea, runny nose, altered level of consciousness, and fever have all been documented in patients with strains of influenza which come from pigs.
Human flu vaccines are not effective against swine influenza, because the strains included in the human flu vaccine are not the same. In the event of a swine flu outbreak, health agencies would need to act quickly to type the virus and develop an effective vaccine. Fortunately, this flu is usually responsive to antiviral medications when treatment is offered shortly after signs of infection emerge. Public officials are on high alert for potential flu pandemics after the lessons of the devastating 1918 and 1968 flu outbreaks, which means that the public would quickly be alerted to a suspected swine flu outbreak in the early stages.
In April 2009, the Mexican government reported cases of swine influenza in Mexico City, and began to take measures to address a potential pandemic. Cases were also reported in the United States, and a health emergency was declared so that the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and other government agencies could initiate a response to the disease. When cases which can be spread from person to person, such as those seen in this outbreak, are documented, people can help protect themselves from the risk of catching the flu by washing their hands regularly, drinking lots of fluids, and avoiding large gatherings in and travel to areas with high numbers of documented cases. People should also seek medical treatment promptly if they develop flu symptoms, and they should comply with recommendations issued by public officials.
People should not stockpile medications against a flu outbreak, as they may be using the drugs incorrectly, which could contribute to the spread of drug resistance. Instead, patients who think that they are infected should visit a medical center for treatment and a prescription, and they should fully finish any course of antivirals prescribed.
Though the swine flu typically infects only swine, in some cases it can be spread from pigs to humans. An epidemic of swine flu occurred in 2009 among humans around the world. Symptoms of swine flu in humans are very similar to symptoms of the other types of the flu, or influenza, virus. Symptoms of swine flu typically last about one week and usually appear several days after a person is exposed to the virus. Common symptoms of swine flu include a fever, cough, and sore throat. A person with swine flu will usually also experience a headache and body aches. Other symptoms include fatigue and chills.
It is difficult to tell the symptoms of swine flu from the symptoms of another type of influenza virus. Usually a test is needed to determine if a person's symptoms are caused by swine flu or another virus. Since most people recover from swine flu as they would from another strain of the virus, testing is usually not done unless the patient falls into a high risk group.
Pregnant women, older people, and people with chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes are at an increased risk for complications from swine flu and should be tested if they have any symptoms of swine flu. Swine flu can cause chronic conditions to be become worse. It can also lead to pneumonia or respiratory problems in high-risk groups.
Usually a healthy person who begins displaying symptoms of swine flu should avoid other people until after the symptoms go away. An ill person should wash her hands regularly and use a tissue to cover her mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. A person who falls into a risk group should contact her doctor after symptoms appear. To avoid infecting others, she should call her doctor to ask for advice before heading to the office.
In some cases, swine flu can cause neurological symptoms in young children. Some children may have seizures as a result of swine flu or may experience changes in behavior. They may seem confused or disoriented. It's important that a child with mental changes and symptoms of swine flu see a doctor immediately.
Other concerning symptoms that may accompany swine flu in children include extreme irritability or lethargy, trouble breathing, and blueish skin. In some instances, a child's symptoms may clear up only to return in a few days worse than they were initially. These symptoms are signs of an emergency, and the child should be taken to the hospital.
If swine flu is left untreated, complications may occur such as: worsening of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma; pneumonia; respiratory failure; and death.
There aren't really multiple causes of swine flu. Instead, swine flu is caused by an influenza virus that invades the body through the nose, eyes, and mouth. Often, however, people discuss causes of swine flu in terms of the ways a person contracts the virus. These include inhaling droplets of the virus that are in the air after a person has sneezed or coughed and picking the invisible virus up on one's hand and then touching one's mouth, nose, and eyes. Likewise, sharing eating utensils may lead to the transmission of the live virus.
Sometimes people discuss the ways the swine flu makes its way into a person's body as the causes of swine flu. Though this isn't strictly correct, these ways do account for the transmission of the virus. For example, a common route of transmission is the air. When a person who has been infected with the virus responsible for swine flu coughs or sneezes, droplets containing the virus make their way into the air. Then, another party inhales these droplets unknowingly and may contract swine flu after a relatively short incubation period.
The hands are also among the transmission sources when it comes to contracting swine flu. A person may touch a door knob, handle, or countertop on which the invisible virus rests. Then, this person may go on to eat or touch his mouth, nose, or eyes. As with the airborne droplets, this exposure can result in the development of the swine flu after a short incubation period. Sharing eating utensils could possibly lead to the transmission of the virus as well.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent swine flu. The most effective way is through vaccination. Other ways include frequent hand washing and avoiding those who have the flu. When a person must take care of an ill family member or friend, frequent hand washing and disposing of used tissues without touching them may help.
Swine flu is very similar to the regular, common flu in regards to how it is spread. The spread of swine flu is primarily through close human-to-human contact, although it can occasionally be spread from a live, infected animal to a human being. Most commonly, the spread of swine flu is caused by cross contamination between humans by means of contact with mucus and germ-ridden surfaces.
Generally, swine flu is spread from person to person similarly to how the regular flu is spread. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, a fine spray of mucus or saliva is released into the air. The most common way for an individual to contract swine flu is through close contact with someone who is already infected, especially if the infected person sneezes or coughs in close proximity to that individual. Germs released by coughing and sneezing can be inhaled and absorbed into the mucus membranes that line the nose or mouth, potentially causing an infection.
Another way mucus-borne germs can affect the spread of swine flu is through shared contact of common surfaces. For example, if a person who is sick with swine flu sneezes into his or her hand, and then touches a light switch before washing his or her hands, swine flu germs may linger on that light switch. This means that the next person to touch the light switch might pick up some of those germs, which can be absorbed into the body by contact with the nose, eyes, or mouth.
Fortunately, there are ways to stave off the spread of swine flu. All individuals, sick or healthy, should take great care to wash their hands frequently with warm water and antibacterial soap; doing so can stop sick people from spreading germs to shared surfaces, and can prevent healthy people from touching their noses and mouths with germ-ridden fingers. Similarly, common surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, and faucets should be routinely disinfected to prevent the spread of swine flu.
In rare cases, the spread of swine flu can occur between a human and an infected swine. Obviously, if an individual's contact with such animals is limited this is a very marginal risk. People who have pet pigs, or work on farms or in veterinary offices, however, should be aware of the possible, if slight, risk. Consuming pork and pork products does not contribute to the spread of swine flu, as the illness is only communicated through living beings.
Swine flu is any one of several types of influenza normally found in pig populations. Very rarely, swine flu can be transmitted to humans in what is called a zoonotic transmission. The risks of swine flu are considerable, and the annals of history record a path through human cases of swine flu that is both bloody and recurrent.
A type of flu known as influenza A or C, swine flu may present with normal flu symptoms. These may include fever, chills, muscle ache, fatigue, and coughing. For many people, the risks of swine flu may be no different that the risks of any other influenza infection; most will start to feel better within about seven days and have no complications in recovery. For others, symptoms may worsen, leading to pneumonia, heart and organ failure, or even death.
Perhaps the greatest risk of swine flu is its potential to cause pandemics. Easily transmitted through exposure to infected sputum or fluids, the movement of the flu is also helped along by the fact that many people are contagious well before developing symptoms, thus being silent carriers that can infect hundreds before they know they are ill.
Many of the great flu epidemics in history are attributed to forms of swine flu, including the extraordinarily deadly pandemic in 1918. Coinciding with the First World War, the 1918 pandemic is thought to be responsible for the majority of war casualties, as well as doing massive damage throughout the world. According to some statistics, the flu may have had as high as a 20% mortality rate, and may have infected at least one-third of the world's population. It is believed to have killed at least 50 million people, though some estimates suggest the death toll may have been closer to 100 million. The fatal risks of swine flu in this particular outbreak were far greater than in the far milder 2009 epidemic.
The risks of swine flu have less to do with the infection itself, and more with the health and constitution of the infected person. Those with existing heart or lung problems may be more likely to develop secondary infections, respiratory failure, or even pneumonia. Different epidemics have targeted different populations: some have been most deadly to the elderly or to young children, but the 2009 epidemic seemed to strike mostly healthy adults.
Medical experts insist that the risks of swine flu can be controlled to some degree through prevention, education, and treatment efforts. Understanding how the flu is passed and educating people on good hygiene is believed to play a major part in slowing the spread of the disease. Swine flu vaccines may also be available in many areas, giving temporary increased immunity toward certain strains of influenza. Recognizing the symptoms is also important, as some anti-viral medications may be able to lessen the severity of symptoms and complications if given early on in the illness.
Swine flu treatments may include prescription antiviral medications as well as over-the-counter flu medications that contain fever-reducing ingredients, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. If symptoms grow more severe than the typical fever, aches, congestion, and stomach problems, one should immediately seek hospital treatment. Severe symptoms include persistent vomiting, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is best treated by avoiding it altogether; getting the seasonal flu vaccination and taking precautions around sick individuals are the best methods for preventing illness.
With any case of the swine flu, it's wise to call one's doctor for professional advice about how to treat symptoms. For most healthy individuals, doctors are likely to say that hospital care and prescription swine flu treatments aren't necessary. If symptoms appear mild to moderate, most individuals may be encouraged to simply stay home until their fever breaks and symptoms begin to subside. While symptoms last, one may wish to take over-the-counter flu medication, which can help reduce fever as well as alleviate achiness and congestion.
Swine flu treatments for more severe cases include the use of antiviral medications. Antiviral flu medications combat various strains of the flu, and have proven particularly effective against the H1N1 virus. In particular, oseltamivir and zanamivir are the two most commonly prescribed antiviral swine flu treatments. Today, such treatments are readily available, but during the global H1N1 pandemic of 2009, they were in short supply due to overwhelming demand and were often reserved for only the most severe cases.
Even when there's a large supply of antiviral medication, doctors tend only to prescribe them to those who need them most. This is because flu viruses build an immunity to antivirals the more they come into contact with them. As a result, over-prescribing such medications can be counteractive toward treating the flu in the long run.
In severe cases, individuals may have shortness of breath, chest pain, and persistent vomiting, along with other symptoms. These symptoms require immediate medical attention. Swine flu treatments for such cases might include medications and procedures to open up the airways. A severe case of the flu can often lead to other complications as well, such as pneumonia. As such, a hospital visit might also entail the treatment of any related complications.
The best swine flu treatment is to take steps to prevent contracting the flu. The most proven method of doing so is to get a seasonal flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine did not protect against H1N1 when the virus first appeared in 2008-2009, but it does now. Today, people can protect themselves against H1N1, and other strains of the flu, by getting a seasonal flu vaccine, either by injection or nasal spray.
The swine flu vaccination today is considered to be safe in general and should not be confused with the vaccination that had problems in 1976. Now, the vaccine goes through thorough testing before being provided to the public, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States continuously monitors the safety of it. Pregnant women who are concerned with the safety of the swine flu vaccination have the option to request a thimerosol-free one. There are certain people for whom the vaccine might not be safe, including those who are allergic to eggs, have had severe reactions to the vaccine in the past, or children under 6 months old. Although most people do not experience serious problems after receiving the swine flu vaccine, there are a few common side effects to be aware of.
There are two types of the flu vaccine: a shot, and a nasal spray that you breathe in through your nose. The nasal spray vaccine cannot be given to pregnant women and people with certain health problems, because it contains a weakened but live form of the virus. But these groups can get the flu shot. Check with your doctor or local health department to find out which type of vaccine is best for you.
In general, the swine flu vaccination is safe for most people, but no vaccine is 100% safe for everyone. The risks of complications from the vaccine are typically lower than the risks from getting the flu itself. About one or two people out of 1 million who are vaccinated might develop an autoimmune disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) from the vaccine, although the flu can also cause that condition.
The swine flu vaccination that was distributed in 1976 was associated with a higher risk of GBS, although the reason behind the link is still unclear. At that time, of the 48 million Americans who received the vaccine, approximately 500 developed GBS. The vaccine used today is different from the one in 1976 and is regarded as much safer due to updated procedures to make it. The vaccine is purified to eliminate contamination, and only selected viral proteins are used instead of the full virus. According to several studies, there is no apparent association between the current swine flu vaccination and an increased risk of GBS.
It is considered to be safe for pregnant women to receive the swine flu vaccination since there are no indications of harm to either the fetus or the mother. In most cases, doctors recommend that pregnant women receive the vaccine because they are at high risk of serious complications from the flu. Pregnant women who have concerns about the vaccine can request a thimerosol-free version, which means it does not contain the mercury-based preservative.
There are some people who should not receive a swine flu vaccination because it might not be safe. People who are allergic to eggs or any of the vaccine components should not get the shot. Those who are moderately or severely ill should wait to recover, and those who have ever had GBS should consult a doctor prior to receiving the shot. Also, it is not recommended for children under 6 months old.
The most common side effects of the swine flu vaccination are soreness and swelling at the injection site, which occurs in about one in three people. Headache and fever occur with about 10 to 15% of people who get the shot. Usually there are no serious complications, and less than 1% of people have any side effects other than soreness.