What Are The Causes of Swine Flu?
Swine flu is a contagious disease caused by type A influenza viruses. The virus belongs to the Orthomyxoviridae family and is responsible for respiratory illnesses such as influenza. Swine flu outbreaks were reported in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta in 2009.
Other noteworthy names that are related to swine flu:
Avian flu or Bird Flu (H5N2) :
A highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) virus of the H5N1 subtype causes illness and deaths among domestic poultry and wild birds of several species. Still, it is not transmitted between humans at this time.
Influenza Pandemic :
An epidemic of an infectious disease with rapid spread through a human population, crossing international boundaries and requiring a quick response.
Spanish Flu:
A pandemic caused by an unusually severe influenza A virus strain of subtype H1N1 that killed 50 to 100 million people worldwide over about a year in 1918 and 1919.
What kind of symptoms can be seen with swine flu?
The common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Children may also have nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea.
Some people infected with the viruses develop pneumonia or worsening chronic medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease. Sometimes infections can result in death, although this is very rare in healthy people who are generally affected.
How is swine flu treated?
There is no specific antiviral treatment for swine flu, and the most important way to prevent complications is to receive early medical care if you become ill. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other fever reducers, throat lozenges, nasal sprays, and rest. People with asthma or other chronic medical conditions should continue taking their regular medications and follow their doctor’s instructions.
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
Yes, there is a vaccine for swine flu. It was developed in response to the 2009 pandemic of swine influenza A (H1N1). The vaccine is made from an inactivated virus and is shot. The vaccine is safe and effective.
How can swine flu be prevented?
There are several ways that you can help protect yourself from getting swine flu:
-Covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough
-Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you sneeze or cough
-Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
-Staying home if you are sick
-Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
-Disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with germs, such as doorknobs, countertops, telephones, keyboards, and other electronic equipment.
Is it possible to die from swine flu?
It is scarce for a swine flu infection to result in death. However, if you have other health problems or your immune system is weakened by a condition such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), this can increase the risk of developing severe complications from an infection.
What are the chances of getting swine flu again?
The viruses that caused the 2009 pandemic will continue to circulate during future influenza seasons, and it cannot be predicted what strains will predominate each season.
H1N1 viruses will likely continue to circulate among humans during future seasons, but there may be years when these viruses do not predominate. Other subtypes of influenza A viruses may be identified during future seasons.
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
Yes, there is a vaccine for swine flu. It was developed in response to the 2009 pandemic of swine influenza A (H1N1). The vaccine is made from an inactivated virus and is shot. The vaccine is safe and effective.
You can help prevent spreading or getting sick by following these simple steps:
1) Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
2) Throw away used tissues immediately
3) Wash hands often with soap and water
4) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
5) Stay home if you are sick
6) Clean surfaces that may be contaminated with germs.
There is no specific antiviral treatment for swine flu, and the most important way to prevent complications is to receive early medical care if you become ill. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other fever reducers, throat lozenges, nasal sprays, and rest. People with asthma or other chronic medical conditions should continue taking their regular medications and follow their doctor’s instructions.
Is it possible to die from swine flu?:
It is sporadic for a swine flu infection to result in death. However, if you have other health problems or your immune system is weakened by conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), this can increase the risk of developing severe complications from an infection.
What are the chances of getting swine flu again?
The viruses that caused the 2009 pandemic will continue to circulate during future influenza seasons, and it cannot be predicted what strains will predominate each season.
H1N1 viruses will likely continue to circulate among humans during future seasons, but there may be years when these viruses do not predominate. Other subtypes of influenza A viruses may be identified during future seasons.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, throw away used tissues immediately, wash hands often with soap and water, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, stay home if you are sick, and clean surfaces that may be contaminated with germs. These are all simple but effective ways to help prevent yourself from getting sick with swine flu.
There is also no specific antiviral treatment for swine flu, so the best way to prevent serious complications is to receive early medical care if you become ill. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms with medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other fever reducers, throat lozenges, nasal sprays, and rest.
People with asthma or other chronic medical conditions should continue taking their regular medications and follow their doctor’s instructions. Swine flu is not a particularly serious illness for most people, but it is essential to take the necessary precautions to help prevent yourself from becoming infected.
How to get swine flu:
You can become infected with swine flu if you have close contact with someone infected. For example, a person could get sick from swine flu by:
1) touching respiratory secretions from an animal that has been infected with swine flu
2) coming into direct contact with surfaces or objects that have respiratory secretions on them from animals infected with swine flu
3) eating food made in a kitchen where animals infected with the virus were present. Swine influenza viruses are not airborne, which means they do not travel through the air, and you cannot catch the infection simply by breathing the same air as an ill person; however, if a person who is sick with H1N1 coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets that contain the virus can get into the air.
You cannot become infected with swine flu by touching something a person has coughed or sneezed on, such as a doorknob or table. You also cannot catch swine flu from contact with objects such as dishes, utensils, and food items.