Symptoms Of Swine Flu, Origin, & Treatement

Although the name ’swine flu’ brings up a lot of extra fear and worry, it is important to note that swine flu is just an influenza A H1N1 virus.

As the cases of Swine flu infections are on a rise in India the government has issued its directives on the deadly A (H1N1) human influenza. The World Health Organisation has already declared as the worst pandemic in last 41 years.

Origin

Swine Flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza virus known as H1N1.
Although, H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans, the latest type is different as it is a mutated version containing genetic material that is generally found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine (pigs).
What has happened this time is that the flu viruses from humans and pigs have swapped genetic components with each other, and evolved into a completely new variety – Hence the absence of any concrete treatment plan for it.
Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease and is being transmitted person-to-person.

Swine Flu Symptoms

According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

• fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
• cough
• runny nose or stuffy nose
• sore throat
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
• diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu

Swine Flu High Risk Groups

With regular seasonal flu, infants and the elderly are usually thought to be most at risk for serious infections, in addition to people with chronic medical problems. Swine flu high risk groups, people who are thought to be at risk for serious, life-threatening infections, are a little different and can include:

• pregnant women
• people with chronic medical problems, such as chronic lung disease, like asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression
• children and adults with obesity

Serious Swine Flu Symptoms

More serious symptoms that would indicate that a child with swine flu would need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Swine Flu Symptoms vs. a Cold or Sinus Infection

It is important to keep in mind most children with a runny nose or cough will not have swine flu and will not have to see their pediatrician for swine flu testing.

How to Get Swine Flu Treatment

Step 1: Call Your Doctor if You Think You Have Swine Flu

• f you are experiencing flu symptoms, and believe you may have been exposed to swine flu, contact your doctor immediately. They can take a swab of mucous and send it to the appropriate state laboratory to determine if you actually have swine flu.CDC: Guidance for Clinicians & Public Health Professionals Guidance for Clinicians & Public Health Professionals While the treatment you receive will depend on the severity of your symptoms, an accurate diagnosis will help your doctor properly plan your course of treatment.

Step 2: Caring for Swine Flu at Home

• As of April 28, 2009, most patients with swine flu in the United States have been successfully cared for at home. If someone in your household has swine flu, there are several things you should do.

1. Take precautions to avoid spreading the disease to any one else.
   1. Keep the patient isolated from the rest of the householdCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
   2. The patient should cover coughs and sneezes.CDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
   3. Everyone in the house should practice frequent hand washingCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
   4. Patients should avoid contact with people outside the home for 7 days after the first symptoms appearCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
2. Make sure the sick person gets plenty of rest and clear fluids.CDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
3. Although over the counter medications may be useful in alleviating flu symptoms, do not give medications containing aspirin to children or teenagers because of the danger of Reye’s Syndrome.CDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
4. Ask the doctor if the patient, as well as other family members, should be taking an antiviral drug.

Step 3: When an Antiviral Drug Should be Prescribed for Swine Flu

• Viruses can develop resistance to medications used to treat them. The H1N1 virus is resistant to two commonly prescribed antivirals, amantadine and rimantadine. As of April 2009, Tamiflu and Relenza were still effective in reducing the severity and duration of swine flu symptoms.The New York Times: Tracking Swine Flu (April 26, 2009)

1. The CDC has issued guidelines for which patients who have confirmed, probable or suspected novel influenza should be treated with antivirals:
   1. All hospitalized patientsCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   2. Children under 5, and adults over 65CDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   3. All nursing home residentsCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   4. Patients 18 and younger taking long term aspirin therapyCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)⁴
   5. Patients who have chronic illnesses, such as chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), kidney, liver, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disordersCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)⁴
   6. Immunosuppressed patientsCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
   7. Pregnant womenCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)
2. People in the high risk groups above, and their close contacts, may be prophylactically treated with Tamiflu or Relenza to prevent swine flu. Prophylactic treatment should be continue for 10 days after the last confirmed exposureCDC: Antiviral Drugs and H1N1 Flu (April 29, 2009)

Step 4: Signs that Immediate Medical Care is Needed for Swine Flu

• While most U.S. swine flu patients to date have been successfully cared for at home, there are symptoms that require immediate medical attention. These include:

1. Difficulty breathingCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
2. Chest painCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
3. Purple or blue discoloration of the lipsCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
4. Persistent vomitingCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
5. Signs of dehydration
   1. Dizziness when standingCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
   2. Reduced urine volumeCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
   3. In infants – lack of tears when crying, dry diapersCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
6. SeizuresCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)
7. Confusion or other signs of altered mental status, such as being less responsive than normalCDC: Interim Guidance for Swine influenza A (H1N1)

Source : about, ZeeNews

References

1. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance/
2. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/guidance_homecare.htm
3. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/04/26/us/20090427-flu-graphic.html
4. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/antiviral.htm

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