Swine flu

Definition
Novel H1N1 influenza, popularly known as swine flu, a respiratory infection caused by an influenza virus first recognized in the spring of 2009. The new virus, which contains the official title of swine influenza A (H1N1), the genetic material of humans and swine and avian influenza viruses.

Technically, the term “swine flu” refers to influenza in pigs. Occasionally, swine influenza viruses transmitted to humans, especially pig farm workers and veterinarians. Less commonly, an infected person to other professionals, the infection goes. You can not catch flu from eating pork pork.

Unlike typical swine flu H1N1 flu spreads quickly and easily. In June 2009, when the infection had spread around the world reviewed the World Health Organization says H1N1 flu causing a global pandemic.

An H1N1 vaccine has been developed for the influenza season 2009/10.

Symptoms
Swine flu symptoms in humans similar to those of infection with other strains of flu:

■ fever
■ Cough
■ Neck pain
■ Body aches
■ Headache
■ Chills
■ Fatigue
■ Diarrhea
■ Vomiting
Swine flu symptoms develop three to five days after exposure to the virus and continue for approximately eight days, beginning one days have recovered before you get sick and run until you are.

When to see a doctor
It is not necessary to call a doctor if you are generally healthy and developing swine flu symptoms such as fever, cough and body aches. Call your doctor, but if you flu-like symptoms and you are pregnant or have a chronic illness like emphysema or heart disease.

Causes
Influenza viruses infect the cells lining the nose, throat and lungs. The virus arrives, your body when you breathe contaminated droplets or live transmission of virus from a contaminated surface, the eyes, nose or mouth on his hand.

Risk Factors
Since new H1N1 virus is new, everyone is afflicted with certain risks. Health care workers to provide direct patient are special risks to catch H1N1 flu. Students and children in school and child care are also at high risk. Children usually get the virus in the class and give it to the other members of the household.

Complications
Influenza complications include:

■ worsening of chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes and asthma
■ Pneumonia
■ Respiratory insufficiency
Severe complications to develop the human and swine influenza H1N1 seem to progress rapidly.

Treatments and drugs
Most cases of influenza, including human influenza have fever, no treatment other than the relief of symptoms. If you have a chronic respiratory disease, your doctor may prescribe additional medication to reduce inflammation, open your airways and lungs to clear secretions.

The antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) can reduce the severity of symptoms, but influenza viruses can develop resistance. To ensure the development of resistance more unlikely and maintain the supplies of these drugs for those who need it most, are subject to anti-viral medications for people at high risk for complications.

Groups at high risk are those who:

■ Are the hospital
■ You have shortness of breath along with other flu symptoms
■ Are younger than 5 years old
■ Are the 65 years of age and older
■ Are Pregnant
■ Are younger than 19 years of age and are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, because an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome
■ You certain chronic diseases such as asthma, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disorders, kidney, liver or blood disease have
■ Are the immunosuppression by drugs or HIV
Lifestyle and home remedies
If you come with any kind of flu, they may simply help your symptoms:

■ Drink plenty of fluids. Choose water, juice, clear broth, to prevent dehydration. Drinking enough to have clear or pale yellow urine.
■ Rest Learn more sleep to help your immune system fight the infection.
■ Take over-the-counter medications to reduce the symptoms. Follow directions on the package, you reduce the host acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), fever and pain. Read package labels to be sure any product you give a child or adolescent has no aspirin. Children and teenagers should not aspirin, because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.
Prevention
A vaccine has been developed to prevent swine flu. In the United States, vaccination is recommended for:

■ pregnant women. The risk of swine influenza complications is higher during pregnancy. Mothers can potentially in need of protection for babies who are not vaccinated.
■ Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 6 months old. Younger children have a higher risk of flu complications, and can not be vaccinated. Vaccination of this age in close contact with infants under 6 months, the children run the risk “of the burden by reducing the virus.
■ health and medical emergency personnel. Infections have been reported in nurses who can be a possible source of infection to vulnerable patients. Similarly, increased absenteeism in health care workers’ health care could reduce capacity.
■ babies, children and adolescents from 6 months to 18 years. Many cases of novel influenza H1N1 have occurred in children. Influenza viruses spread easily in schools and child care, and children infected in those settings carry the infection to their families.
■ Young adults 19 to 24 years. The immunization is important for young adults because they live, work and study in close proximity, and they move and often tend to stay.
■ People aged 25 to 64 years, the health conditions with a higher risk for complications of influenza are associated with. These conditions include heart disease, lung disease and some types of cancer.
Even these measures to prevent, limit flu and its spread:

■ Stay home if you are sick. If you do not swine flu, you can give it to the other from about 24 hours before symptoms develop, and ends about seven days later. Out of consideration for others, do your best to stay in the emergency room, doctor’s office or urgent-care center. You do not want to risk infecting everyone else – especially in a medical facility, where other care can be obtained, especially for the vulnerable flu.
■ Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Use soap and water, or if they are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Flu viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces like doorknobs and countertops.
■ Avoid contact. Stay away from crowds if possible.
■ Reduce the risk in your household. If a member of your household swine flu, designate another member of the household must be responsible for a sick person close personal care.