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Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs. It was isolated in 1930. It is caused by Influenza type A which brings about the disease in pigs. This happens on a pretty regular basis and doesnt cause many deaths in pigs.
Swine Flu Symtoms
The typical symptoms are:
a sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38°C/100.4°F or above), and
a sudden cough.
Other symptoms may include:
headache,
tiredness,
chills,
aching muscles,
limb or joint pain,
diarrhoea or stomach upset,
sore throat,
runny nose,
sneezing, or
loss of appetite.
How swine flu is spread
The swine flu virus is spread in exactly the same way as the ordinary cold and flu viruses.
However, because few people, if any, have full resistance to the new strain, they are much more likely to become infected once they come into contact with the virus.
The virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes.
These droplets typically spread about one metre (3ft). They hang suspended in the air for a while, but then land on surfaces, where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours.
Anyone who touches these surfaces can spread the virus on further by touching anything else.
Everyday items at home and in public places may have traces of the virus. These include food, door handles, the remote control, hand rails and computer keyboards.
People usually become infected by picking up the virus on their hands from contaminated objects and then placing their hands near their mouth or nose. It is also possible to breathe in the virus if it is suspended in airborne droplets.
Treating swine flu
The World Health Organization has rated the UK as one of the countries best prepared for a swine flu pandemic.
Stocks of antiviral medicines and antibiotics are available to treat anyone who becomes ill during the current pandemic.
Also, scientists have now developed a vaccine against the virus, to prevent people getting swine flu. The first batches of swine flu vaccine are expected to be available in October.
Paracetamol
As with ordinary flu, people who come down with swine flu should take lots of rest and use standard paracetamol-based cold remedies to reduce their temperature and help relieve symptoms.
Antivirals
The antiviral medications oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are also being used throughout the UK to treat people with swine flu. Antivirals are not a cure for swine flu, but will help to:
reduce the length of time you are ill by around one day,
relieve some of the symptoms, and
reduce the potential for serious complications such as pneumonia.
Vaccine
Scientists have now developed a vaccine for swine flu, but it is not available yet.
The first batches of vaccine are expected to arrive in October, and 30 million double doses (enough for half the population) are expected to be available by the end of the year.
Swine flu Q&A
Put some useful Question and Answer from link
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx#whatare |
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