NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SWINE INFLUENZA
Swine flu is also known as swine influenza. It is a respiratory disease caused by viruses such as influenza viruses and it affects an infect the respiratory tract of pigs, a barking cough, decreased appetite, resulting in nasal secretions and listless behavior. Swine flu produces most of the same symptoms in pigs as human flu and it produces in people. Swine flu can last about one to two weeks in pigs which can survive.
Swine influenza is spread from person to person by ingestion of droplets which contains the virus from people coughing and it is not passed by eating cooked pork products. The newest swine flu virus and it has caused swine flu is influenza A H3N2v is termed as H3N2v that began as an outbreak in 2011. The “v” in the name means the virus is a variant that normally infects only pigs and it has begun to infect humans.
In some people, the incubation period for swine flu is about one to four days, with the average being two days; and this may be as long as about seven days in adults and children.
The contagious period for swine influenza in adults and generally it begins one day before symptoms develop in an adult and it lasts about five to seven days after the person becomes sick. But, the people with weakened immune systems and children may be contagious for a longer period (for instance, about 10 to 14 days).
INFLUENZA VACCINE:
The flu vaccine is a good conception for all families. It does not cause the flu which can help to keep the kids and parents from getting sick. Influenza vaccination is secure for anyone 6 months of age and older. It protects you and those around you from the flu and its complications. The influenza viruses change frequently from year to year. So, people don’t stay immune for very long. Flu shots are generally given once a year from October to mid-November. The shots protect throughout the flu season from October to April.
GET SWINE FLU VACCINE:
The vaccine is especially important for children and teenagers who are at high risk of complications from the flu, which involves such as:
• have diabetes or other metabolic diseases
• have chronic neurological disorder.
• are between 6 months and 5 years of age.
• have chronic heart or lung disorders (such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis, asthma) serious enough to need regular medical follow-up.
• have chronic kidney disease.
• are pregnant.
• have to take acetylsalicylic acid daily.
• live in a chronic care facility.
• live with another child and adult who is at risk of complications from the flu.
Children under 5 years old are at higher risk of complications from the flu – such as convulsions, high fever, and pneumonia. If you have children younger than 5 years old who have health complications, everyone living in the house should get a flu shot. This is especially important if you have children under 6 months old and a member of your household who is pregnant.
As there is no known single cure, steps can be taken at home to prevent swine flu and it reduces symptoms if a person does contract the virus. This involves washing hands regularly with soap, getting plenty of sleep, exercising often, managing stress, drinking liquids, eating a balanced diet and refraining from touching surfaces that may have the virus.
The people, who are sick, don’t get close to them. To stay away from crowds if there is a swine flu outbreak in your area which may help to protect from swine influenza.