Swine flu H1N1

Swine flu  refers to influenza in pigs. Occasionally, pigs transmit influenza viruses to people, mainly to hog farmers and veterinarians. Less often, someone infected passes the infection to others.
Tranamission ofSwine flu H1N1

The human respiratory infection caused by a particular influenza virus H1N1 strain — popularly known as swine flu — was first recognized in spring 2009. A few months after the first swine flu cases were reported, rates of confirmed H1N1-related illness were increasing in much of the world. As a result, the World Health Organization declared the infection a global pandemic.

The pandemic was declared over in August 2010. Currently, H1N1 is still circulating in humans as a seasonal flu virus and is included in the seasonal flu vaccine.

SYMPTOMS
Swine flu signs and symptoms in humans are similar to those of other flu strains:

Fever,Cough,Sore throat,Runny or stuffy nose,Body aches, Headache, Chills, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Vomiting

Swine flu symptoms develop about one to three days after you're exposed to the virus and continue for about seven days.

CAUSES
Influenza viruses infect the cells lining your nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters your body when you inhale contaminated droplets or transfer live virus from a contaminated surface to your eyes, nose or mouth.

COMPLICATIONS
Influenza complications include:
Worsening of chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and asthma, Pneumonia, Neurological signs and symptoms, ranging from confusion to seizures, Respiratory failure

DIAGNOSIS
Technically, the term \"swine flu\" refers to influenza in pigs. Occasionally, pigs transmit influenza viruses to people, mainly to hog farmers and veterinarians. Less often, someone infected passes the infection to others.
The human respiratory infection caused by a particular influenza virus H1N1 strain — popularly known as swine flu — was first recognized in spring 2009. A few months after the first swine flu cases were reported, rates of confirmed H1N1-related illness were increasing in much of the world. As a result, the World Health Organization declared the infection a global pandemic.
The pandemic was declared over in August 2010. Currently, H1N1 is still circulating in humans as a seasonal flu virus and is included in the seasonal flu vaccine.

TREATMENT
Most cases of flu, including H1N1 flu, require only symptom relief. If you have a chronic respiratory disease, your doctor may prescribe additional medication to help relieve your symptoms.
The antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are sometimes prescribed to reduce the severity of symptoms, but flu viruses can develop resistance to them. Some researchers recommend further study on both of these drugs due to uncertainty about their effects beyond the initial reduction in symptoms.

To make development of resistance less likely and maintain supplies of these drugs for those who need them most, antivirals are reserved for people at high risk of complications.

High-risk groups are those who:
Are hospitalizedAre younger than 5 years of age, particularly children younger than 2 yearsAre 65 years and olderAre pregnant or within two weeks of delivery, including women who have had pregnancy lossAre younger than 19 years of age and are receiving long-term aspirin therapy, because of an increased risk for Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal diseaseHave certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma, emphysema, heart disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disease, obesity, and kidney, liver or blood diseaseAre immunosuppressed due to certain medications or HIV.

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