Swine Flu

A new strain of influenza virus, commonly known as Swine Flu, has spread across more than 25 countries of the world. As late as Jul 27, 2009, a total of 134503 cases leading to 816 deaths have already been reported, as per statistics released by World Health Organization (WHO). The actual figures could be much higher as the countries affected by this strain of influenza no longer need to report individual cases.

This contagious strain, a Type-A flu virus that affects pigs, is also called the pig flu. Also known as A(H1N1), it is a variation of H1N1, a virus that periodically causes flu in humans. A(H1N1) is a new virus that has never affected humans before.

Symptoms And Infection

The symptoms of Swine Flu are flu-like and the affected person has cough, pain in the muscles and joints, headache, sore throat, running nose, and diarrhea. There may be vomiting at times also.

The virus spreads through exposure to an affected person and also through infectious virus inhaled from coughing and sneezing. It could also spread through contamination by touching hands and affected surfaces.

Affected people should prevent the spread of Swine Flu by ensuring that they cover their mouths while coughing and their noses while sneezing. In addition, they should keep a distance from healthy people, wash their hands frequently, and stay at home as much as they can.

Being a new strain, this virus is spreading fast as people have little, or no, immunity against it. Symptoms have been known to range from Mild to Severe - resulting in death. Swine Flu has affected mostly the persons between the age of 10 and 45. 

Vaccines For A(H1N1)

Development of vaccines for A(H1N1) is going on at a fast pace. A(H1N1) was identified toward the end of April 2009, and it generally takes between 5 and 6 months for the vaccines to be ready. This means that the vaccines for A(H1N1) may only be available toward the end of September, at the earliest. It is expected that in the next 12 months 4.9 billion doses of Swine Flu vaccine may be produced.

Presently, antiviral drugs are prescribed to affected people. It is recommended that the treatment with antiviral drugs be started within 2 days of the appearance of the symptoms. This has had a positive effect by making the effects of the illness milder. CDC has recommended using Tamiflu and Relenza for the prevention of Swine Flu infection.

However, it is noticed that care at home or in the hospitals, by relieving pains and maintaining proper balance of fluids in the body, has led to the recovery from Swine Flu without the use of any antiviral drugs.