Swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is a relatively new strain of an influenza virus that causes symptoms similar to the regular flu. It originated in pigs but is spread primarily from person to person.
Swine flu made headlines in 2009 when it was first discovered in humans and became a pandemic. Pandemics are contagious diseases affecting people throughout the world or on
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multiple continents at the same time.
The World Health Organization (WHO)declared the H1N1 pandemic over in August 2010. Since then, the H1N1 virus has been known as a regular human flu virus. It continues to spread during flu season like other strains of the flu. The flu shot developed each year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)usually includes a vaccination against a type of H1N1 virus.
Like other strains of the flu, H1N1 is highly contagious, allowing it to spread quickly from person to person. A simple sneeze can cause thousands of germs to spread through the air. The virus can linger on tables and surface areas like door knobs, waiting to be picked up.
The best means of dealing with swine flu is to prevent it. Hand sanitization is important to stop the spread of the virus. Staying away from infected people will help stop person-to-person transmission.
Risk factors for swine flu
When it first emerged, swine flu was most common in children 5 years and older and young adults. This was unusual because most flu virus infections are a higher risk for complications in older adults or the very young.
Today, risk factors for getting swine flu are the same as for any other strain of the flu. You’re most at risk if you spend time in an area with a large number of people who are infected with swine flu.
Some people are at higher risk for becoming seriously ill if they’re infected with swine flu. These groups include:
-adults over age 65
-children under 5 years old
-young adults and
-under age 19 who are receiving long-term aspirin(Bufferin) therapy
-people with compromised immune systems (due to a disease such as AIDS)
-pregnant women
-people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or neuromuscular disease
CAUSES
Swine flu is caused by a strain of influenza virus that usually only infects pigs. Unlike typhus, which can be transmitted by lice or ticks, transmission usually occurs from person to person, not animal to person.
You can’t catch swine flu from eating properly cooked pork products.
Swine flu is very contagious. The disease is spread through saliva and mucus particles.
People may spread it by:
sneezing
coughing
touching a germ-covered surface and then touching their eyes or nose
Symptoms of swine flu
The symptoms of swine flu are very much like those of regular influenza. They include:
chills
fever
coughing
sore throat
runny or stuffy nose
bodyaches
fatigue
diarrhoea
nausea and vomiting
DIAGNOSIS
Your doctor can make a diagnosis by sampling fluid from your body. To take a sample, your doctor or a nurse may swab your nose or throat.
The swab will be analyzed using various genetic and laboratory techniques to identify the specific type of virus.
Treating swine flu
Most cases of swine flu don’t require medication for treatment. You don’t need to see a doctor unless you’re at risk for developing medical complications from the flu. You should focus on relieving your symptoms and preventing the spread of the H1N1 to other people.
Two antiviral drugs are recommended for treating swine flu: the oral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir(Relenza). Because flu viruses can develop resistance to these drugs, they’re often reserved for people who are at high risk for complications from the flu. People who are otherwise generally healthy and get swine flu will be able to fight the infection on their own.
HOME TREATMENT
Methods for managing the symptoms of swine flu are similar to the regular flu:
-Get plenty of rest. This will help your immune system focus on fighting the infection.
Drink plenty of water and other liquids to prevent dehydration. Soup and clear juices will help replenish your body of lost nutrients.
-Take over-the-counter pain relievers for symptoms such as headache and sore throat.
PREVENTION
The best way to prevent swine flu is to get a yearly flu vaccination. Other easy ways to prevent swine flu include:
-frequently washing hands with soap or hand sanitiz
-not touching your nose, mouth, or eyes (The virus can survive on surfaces like telephones and tabletops.)
-staying home from work or school if you’re ill
-avoiding large gatherings when swine flu is in season
-It’s important to follow any public health recommendations regarding school closures or avoiding crowds during the flu season. These recommendations may come from the CDC, WHO, National Institutes of Health, or other governmental public health institutions.
Complications of Swine Flu can include:
* Pneumonia
* Bronchitis
* Sinus infections
* Ear infections
* Death
Is it possible to prevent Swine Flu [Influenza A(H1N1)] with homeopathy?
Yes, it is possible to prevent Swine flu (H1N1 Flu) with homeopathy. Not only swine flu but any epidemic can be kept under control when well selected “Homeopathic Genus Epidemicus” is given to healthy masses in that particular region. In the past homeopathy has helped in epidemics many times in different parts of the world.
Commonly indicated homeopathic medicines:
Depending on the individual symptoms of the patients, one or more of the medicines could be prescribed: Influenzinum, Gelsemium, Arsenic albub, Rhus toxicodendron, Occilococcinum, etc are some of the common medicines. They can also be used as a part of probable preventive measure.
Precaution:
If you have recently visited a country or place/city under Swine flu attack or have met a person suffering from the infection, it is advisable to get a test done.
Swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is a relatively new strain of an influenza virus that causes symptoms similar to the regular flu. It originated in pigs but is spread primarily from person to person.
prevent swine flu include:
