What is Swine flu?
Swine is the biological name that refers to pigs. Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses (H1N1 subtype) that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Swine influenza is a common viral infection that affects pigs all over the world. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.
Symptoms in pigs:
Swine flu causes fever and severe weight loss along with breathing problems in pigs. Though the flu is deemed to be severe, it rarely results in the death of the pigs. In most of the cases when the affected pig is pregnant, it results in the death of the baby pigs. This flu is also known as H1N1 flu. The flu has a very high proficiency of spreading quickly and in large numbers.
Swine Flu Symptoms in humans:
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu that include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with swine flu. It can also result in sudden weight loss, dry coughing, pain in the muscles and joints and frequent dizziness as a result of weakness of the body.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions
Swine flu in pigs:
Once a pig is affected by the disease, it easily transmits the disease causing virus to the other pigs. The most common is through direct contact with the healthy ones by touching each others’ noses. This along with sneezing or coughing directly spreads the virus through the atmosphere.
Swine flu in humans:
There have been only a few occurrences of the original swine flu since the past century. The virus responsible for this pandemic disease is a result of a mixture of strands of the normal swine virus, human influenza virus and avian influenza virus.
Spread of this particular strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
It is rumored that it spreads through consumption of pork. Scientists and researchers have confirmed that the probability of such occurrences is minimal.
Swine Flu Precautions:
The WHO had released a worldwide alert on the spread of the disease and also directed the countries to take the necessary measures to prevent it from spreading further. One can prevent getting infected by taking the following measures:
- Avoid touching your mouth and nose;
- Clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
- Avoid close contact with people who might be ill. Try to maintain a distance of about 1 meter if possible
- Reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
- Improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
- Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active
- If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible.
- Do not go to work; stay at home or in your hotel room.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a mask.
- A person should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days.
Common Queries on Swine Flu:
1) What is WHO stands on using a mask?
If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask. If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards.
2) Should I go to work if I have the flu but am feeling OK?
No. Whether you have influenza A (H1N1) or a seasonal influenza, you should stay home and away from work through the duration of your symptoms. This is a precaution that can protect your work colleagues and others.
3) Can I travel?
If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should not travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health care provider.
4) Preventive Measure
Hand Hygiene is one of the most important activity and it helps arrest the infection. Hence high traffic zones like schools, offices, malls, multiplexes…should ideally provide good hand hygiene facilities and help arrest the infection.
What drugs are available for treatment?
Antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza are available that effectively prevent and treat the illness. There are two classes of such medicines
- Adamantanes (amantadine and remantadine), and
- Inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamiviror i.e Tamiflu and zanamivir).
Note: Individuals should not buy medicines to prevent or fight this new influenza without a prescription, and they should not buy anti-viral over the Internet
Ayurvedic Treatment:
Wonder herb Tulsi can not only keep the dreaded swine flu at bay but also help in fast recovery of an afflicted person, Ayurvedic practitioners claim.
“The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body’s overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu,” Dr U K Tiwari, an herbal medicine practitioner says.
Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster. “Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body,” he claims.
“Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach.” This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu,” believes Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University.
Author: Sandeep Gupta, Delhi
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