Swine flu is also known as swine influenza, pig flu, and hog flu. Swine flu is actually a respiratory disorder, the symptom of pigs that is caused by ‘type A’ influenza viruses. Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs; SIV strains that involve influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A called H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.
Swine Flu basically originated in swine or a pig, as SIV affects the pigs. The human got infected by this virus by consuming infected pig meat and coming in direct contact with infected swine. Mean it is transferred, when the virus enters the body through nose, eye or mouth. And then it is spread from human to human and it takes place by coming in direct contact with the infected person. Their modes of transfer through air and virus particles travel through the air and thus making it more contagious.
It gets transmitted as like common flu and seasonal. When an H1N1 virus affected person coughs and sneezes, the virus gets spread out as tiny drops into the air. The other common human gets direct contact with those tiny drops, say for being near to the affected individual or touching the surface that the affected person has used chances are indeed heavy to catch H1N1 infection immediately. The virus from the affected individuals can get spread out in a day and the symptoms for an adult will reveal out only after 7 days and in kids, the symptoms can be found only after 10 days.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to most influenza infections which involve fever (100 F or greater), nasal secretions, cough (usually dry), fatigue, and headache, with fatigue being reported in most infected individuals. Some patients may also get a rash, sore throat, body (muscle) aches or pains, vomiting, headaches, chills, nausea, and diarrhea. With an average of two days, the incubation period from exposure to first symptoms is about one to four days. If the person has a severe infection, symptoms last about one to two weeks and can last longer.
A vaccine has been produced for swine flu to protect the humans against the H1N1 strain of swine flu. The status of swine flu has changed from a pandemic to a seasonal type of human influenza so that the specialized vaccine has now been replaced by more general seasonal flu shots. The persons who are over 10 years old only require one shot of the vaccine. And also, the person with an egg allergy and children with severe asthma are at risk of an adverse reaction to this vaccine and should discuss the shot with a healthcare professional. There are special regimens designed to help the bodies of people who experience these reactions accept the vaccine.
As an injection, the vaccine is available or a nasal spray. The nasal spray is allowed for healthy people only through 49 years of age and it is not recommended for some groups, such as children between 2 and 4 years old with asthma or wheezing, pregnant women. Several factors may help to prevent flu which involves staying home if you’re sick for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently and always use soap and water, if they’re unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. And also stay away from crowds if possible, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.