Swine flu is a highly contagious disease attributable to a virus. It’s believed that this influenza virus is a endemic in pigs. The symptoms of the disease are much like those of influenza with chill, fever, sore throat, headache, coughing and weakness being the common features. Swine flu is often attributable to influenza A sub-types reminiscent of H1N1, H1N2, H1N3 and H2N3. Besides persisting in pigs, this has also been circulated in human beings and is presently contributing to world wide influenza.
Further research has revealed that the present outbreak is the results of a recent strain which has not been previously present in pigs. The outbreak of swine flu in May 2009 is believed to have links with the pigs at a farm in Alberta, Canada that had links with swine pandemic in Mexico. The initial reports discover the brand new strain as swine influenza but its origin is unknown. Several countries immediately took up precautionary measures to cut back the possibilities of worldwide pandemic of the disease.
People working with poultry and swine / hogs are actively exposed and are at increased risk as influenza virus is endemic in these animals. Vaccinating the employees and keeping an in depth watch on recent strain could also be an lively public health measure to dam its spread. Other professionals in danger are veterinarians and meat processing staff. Nonetheless, the chance element is less for such professionals than the farm staff.
Pigs that are infected with this influenza strain show feverish condition, lethargy and have apparent respiration difficulty. Direct transmission of swine flu virus from pigs to humans is feasible, but only occasionally. The 2009 swine flu outbreak has shown acute febrile respiratory illness. Essentially the most common reason for swine flu fatality is respiratory failure. Other causes related to the disease and subsequent mortality is pneumonia, high fever, dehydration owing to excessive vomiting and electrolyte imbalance. Elderly people and kids are more liable to swine flu deaths.
For diagnosis of swine flu different medical kits like swab test for viral culture and indirect test by detection of anti-bodies. Stopping the disease has been categorized with work centers concentrating on blocking the influenza strain in swine, stopping transmission to humans and stopping its wide spread infection amongst humans.
Methods of prevention of the disease in pigs include facility management, vaccination and herd management. Standard industrial vaccines can effectively control the infection when the virus strains match. Facility management revolves around using disinfectants and temperature control to eradicate the virus within the environment. Herd management includes isolating the sick animals from those that should not infected by the virus.
Using face masks and vaccine may prevent human infection, while wearing gloves also helps to a certain extent. Influenza spreads amongst humans through coughing, sneezing or touching any virus infected spots. In humans the swine flu is amazingly contagious in the course of the first five days of illness while children remain infection prone till ten days.
Standard infection control measures like frequent washing of hands, disinfecting household surface with chlorine bleach, avoiding touching mouth and eyes with infected hands prevents swine flu. It is suggested by physicians that anyone affected by flu like symptoms should avoid public transportation, steer clear of public places and social gatherings, while taking vaccines can also be helpful.
Treating humans infected by swine flu relies on anti-viral drugs which makes the illness less severe. Other measures for curing the disease are supportive care at home and hospitals that focuses on relieving pain and maintaining fluid balance.