Swine flu in humans and symptoms:
Swine flu is a type of influenza (flu) virus that normally infects pigs but can, in rare cases, also infect humans. Human infections with swine flu typically happen when people come into direct contact with infected pigs, for example, people who work in the swine industry or children and adults who raise or show pigs.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of regular flu but can be more severe and longer lasting. It can cause fever, body aches, and coughing. In addition, it can lead to pneumonia and other respiratory problems if left untreated.
Treatment and prevention:
Treatment for swine flu usually involves over-the-counter medications to reduce fever and body aches, cough and congestion relief, and fluids. Most patients with uncomplicated swine flu recover quickly at home or in the care of their pediatrician, primary care provider, or emergency-medicine doctor.
Prevention of swine flu requires strict hygiene and good health habits. These include frequent hand-washing, covering the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces.
It is also recommended that pigs be handled with gloves and a mask during handling or transport to prevent the spread of swine flu from pigs to humans. During an outbreak of swine flu, pig farms should be closed, pigs should be quarantined, and people working in pig facilities should not be allowed to visit pig farms or other places with infected animals.
Medications:
There are many over-the-counter medications that can be used to treat the flu, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. These medicines are safe and effective for mild symptoms and can help shorten the length of your illness.
Other medications that can be prescribed by your doctor include neuraminidase inhibitors and M2 protein inhibitors. These are drugs that help to block the enzymes that allow the swine flu virus to multiply in the body.
Vaccines and high-risk individuals:
The vaccines available to protect against swine flu are a combination of two types of antigens from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu strain and another antigenically distinct swine flu virus with the same pig and human influenza viruses (termed H3N2v). This virus first emerged as a new outbreak in 2011 and has been spreading since then, especially in Europe.
Although it is not a common infection in most pigs, swine flu can be very dangerous for those with weakened immune systems, the elderly, or those with other chronic illnesses such as asthma or diabetes. Those who are at high risk should have an annual influenza immunization shot as directed by their physician.
Prevention and recognizing symptoms:
In addition to the flu shots, other ways that you can prevent swine flu are by washing your hands frequently with soap and water, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when not using a soap and water dispenser, and avoiding frequent contact with others who have the flu. It is also important to practice good health habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating a nutritious diet, and staying active.
The swine influenza virus has a relatively long incubation period and can make you sick for a day or more before you know you have the flu. Symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, sore throat, headache, coughing, and fatigue. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
