Swine Flu Welcome to the Affordable Drug swine flu information page. With the threat of a swine flu outbreak or a potential swine flu pandemic many people are feeling scared and worried about swine flu. One of the best ways to alleviate that worry is to educate yourself about swine flu. When you are educated you can take the proper precautions and hopefully prevent yourself from getting swine flu. Here you can learn about the swine flu vaccine, swine flu symptoms, swine flu prevention and more. The information on swine flu contained on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.
What is swine flu? Swine flu is the common name for the strain of the influenza virus that reached the pandemic level in 2009. Throughout all of the media attention, savvy consumers are certainly wondering "What is swine flu?". Swine flu refers to any strain of the flu virus that is commonly hosted by pigs, or swine. The known strains of the Swine flu virus as of 2009 are influenza C virus and influenza A virus, including the subtypes H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. The Swine flu outbreak in 2009 resulted from a mutation in the strain typically found in pigs that was transmitted to humans and thereafter spread through contact with infected persons.
Symptoms of Swine flu present themselves differently in humans and in pigs. In humans symptoms are similar to those that surface due to the common influenza virus and include fever, sore throat, fatigue, muscle soreness, headaches, chills, and coughs. In the 2009 outbreak of Swine flu, symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea were prevalent. Because of the fact that these symptoms closely resemble those of the common flu differential diagnoses involving the patients' recent history are used to differentiate between the strains. Though death due to the Swine flu virus is rare and usually occurs in higher risk patients, deaths have been recorded from the virus. The cause of these deaths are usually respiratory failure, pneumonia, sepsis as a complication of pneumonia, high fever, and diarrhea or dehydration.
Swine flu as it occurred in the 2009 outbreak is not transmitted from pigs to humans, but rather from human to human through contact with those who have been diagnosed with the virus. The Swine flu virus is most contagious for five days following infection, although in some cases children have been found contagious for up to ten days following the initial infection. Transmission of the Swine flu virus can be contained and prevented by typical flu prevention measures, including frequent hand washing after public exposure as well as disinfection of household surfaces.
Pork meat does not transmit the Swine flu virus to patients as long as it is properly and thoroughly cooked. Transmission from pigs to humans is extremely rare and only occurs after an antigenic shift in the host pig. As a result pig farmers working with infected animals are encouraged to use face masks.
In the case of infection Swine flu patients are treated with antiviral medication in order to ease pain and other symptoms. As a result these medications can help a patient feel better quickly even before the virus is eradicated. Fever reduction and fluid balance are also important considerations for a patient infected with Swine flu in order to prevent potential complications which may come as a result of vomiting or diarrhea. Swine flu strains have also been found to be resistant to some antiviral medications. Most patients in the United States during the 2009 Swine flu outbreak recovered without need for extensive medical care, however. Vaccines for the new strain of the Swine flu virus are currently in research stages.
Swine Flu Symptoms The Swine Flu is a worrisome epidemic that has affected many people in various locations. As with any illness, if you suspect you have somehow contracted the Swine Flu, it is important to receive immediate treatment from a trained medical professional. Learning to recognize the symptoms of Swine Flu will assist you in receiving the best treatment possible, so take a moment to look over the information listed below. Share this information with family, friends, and co-workers to keep the spread of Swine Flu to a minimum.
The symptoms of Swine Flu are very similar to that of a regular flu virus, and may include the following:
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Body aches and pains
- Chills
- Extreme fatigue
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
You may not have experienced all of the Swine Flu symptoms listed above, but if have at least two of them, there is a possibility that you have become infected with the Swine Flu. There are varying degrees to the severity of Swine Flu symptoms a person may be experiencing. Additionally, any other health problems you may have can impact the danger of this illness. Please don't delay in scheduling an appointment with your doctor. Contact a medical professional at the first onset of symptoms.
Neither you, nor your doctor, will be able to make a diagnoses based stricly on your symptoms. There is a rapid flu test that can be given while you wait, which will accurately inform your doctor if the symptoms you are experiencing are related to the Swine Flu.
It's important to note that you may not have had any contact with a swine, or any other livestock, but you can still become infected with this illness. This illness is highly contagious, and can be passed from person to person. If you have experienced any of the symptoms of Swine Flu, please take precautions to not further spread the illness on to others. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, wash your hands with warm water and soap, use an anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, and limit your contact with others.
Swine Flu Prevention As Swine Flu spreads and becomes a fixture on the nightly news, people inevitably become concerned with their family's health and the steps needed to prevent contracting the Swine Flu virus.
There are several swine flu prevention recommendations that have proven to significantly reduce or help prevent the spread of the Swine Flue virus all together. To help keep yourself and your family free of germs or the Swine Flue virus, try utilizing some of these easy tips.
Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands in hot, soapy water often helps to prevent the spread of the virus. When washing your hands, sing the 'happy birthday' song to yourself to ensure you have washed your hands for an appropriate amount of time to destroy any germs that you may have on your hands.
Get Plenty of Rest
In order for your immune system to function properly - and to give your body a fighting chance - allowing yourself to get the proper, and recommended, 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night helps your body fight off any invading germs; helping to prevent yourself from becoming ill.
Stay Hydrated
Ensuring that you drink 8-10 8 ounce glasses of water daily will help to flush unwanted toxins from your body's system; maintaining proper moisture and production of your mucous membranes in your sinuses, which help trap any germs or viruses before they get the opportunity to invade your body and make you sick.
Avoid Alcoholic Beverages
Not only does alcohol act as a depressant, but also as an immune suppressant. Drinking alcohol can reduce the resistance your body has to viral infections, such as the Swine Flu virus. In addition, women that consume alcohol are at a greater disadvantage because alcohol consumption in women lowers estrogen levels - further impairing the immune system.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising has been proven repeatedly to increase the immunity of the body. Exercising - such as walking for half an hour a day, 3 to 5 times a week - helps to sweat out toxins that build up in the body. Additionally, eliminating toxins from your body also helps to alleviate stress and tension held in the muscles of your body.
Avoid People Exhibiting Signs of Illness
It may seem nearly impossible to avoid people in public when they are sick, however, avoiding physical contact - such as shaking hands or speaking closely with a person - is important. The Swine Flu virus is spread through coughs without covering one's mouth, or sneezing into the air other people breath; making it imperative to practice these tips to magnify your chances of staying healthy.
Know When To Seek Medical Attention
The Swine Flu virus generally exhibits the same symptoms as your traditional flu-like symptoms, so knowing the difference is important. If you live in an area where there have been confirmed cases and you begin to show signs or symptoms of Swine Flu, seek immediate medical attention and avoid human contact where possible to prevent the further spread of the virus.
Swine Flu Vaccine Though a swine flu vaccine is not yet available, many medical clinics and their practitioners are recommending that at-risk parties take a regular flu vaccine as a precaution. An actual swine flu shot is expected to hit the Australian medical market in September of 2009, though it may be several months more before the vaccine is available to European and American citizens. Once the swine flu vaccine becomes available to the general public, patients should expect the same or a similar procedure to what they have already encountered when receiving the regular flu vaccines, though some side effects may vary.
As with the regular flu shot, the swine flu shot will be optional for members of the population in optimal health, recommended for the very young and elderly, and mandatory for people working in the medical field. If you are planning to travel to an area where instances of the swine flu are especially high, then you are also advised to take a precautionary swine flu vaccine.
Currently, regular flu vaccines are available in two forms: as a shot or as a nasal spray. While the nasal spray has fewer side effects, the shot offers stronger and more immediate immunity and is safer for all ages. The swine flu vaccine will initially be available only in shot form. Patients receiving the swine flu shot should be prepared for some mild side effects. Not everyone receiving the swine flu vaccine will experience side effects, and those that do should be aware that most of these negative side effects will resolve themselves after one or two days.
Don't be alarmed if you experience inflammation or mild irritation around the area where the shot was given. The muscles nearest to the injection area may also be sore. Some swine flu shot recipients have reported a slight fever, headache or mild nausea within the first 24 hours after receiving the shot. Unless these symptoms are severe or persist for more than 48 hours, shot recipients should not be alarmed.
Because the general population has no existing immunity to swine flu, it may be necessary for first-time recipients of the swine flu vaccine to take a follow-up shot within the first year.
Swine Flu Treatments Although it sounds frightening, swine flu is actually very treatable. While there is currently no vaccine for swine flu--though one is slated for public release later this year--if caught and treated promptly, poses a low risk of complications. The treatment options vary depending on the severity of the disease for each person. Because of the swine flu's similarity to other influenza viruses, the first treatment for mild cases is the same as that for other types of influenza, namely, acetaminophen (paracetamol) based drugs like Tylenol or Panadol, along with plenty of fluids and bed rest.
Additionally, antivirals are often prescribed as swine flu treatments to reduce the length of illness as well as lower the risk of more serious complications, such as pneumonia. The most common two antivirals recommended by both the American Center for Disease Control and the British National Heath Service are Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). While antivirals cannot cure the disease, they can severely limit its impact, and may decrease the chances of the disease passing from an infected person to a healthy one.
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is taken as a capsule or liquid, and works by containing the virus within the cells it has already infected by blocking the production of neuraminidase, a protein that enables the disease to spread from cell to cell. Tamiflu must be taken as early as possible in the course of the illness, usually within the first forty-eight hours, for it to truly work well. Although there has been some discussion about the safety of its use in children, as several studies have reported that the side effects, which can include nausea, nightmares and diarrhea. However, at this time, the CDC and NHS are still recommending Tamiflu for those with swine flu, including children. There has also been concern about a Tamiflu-resistant strain of swine flu, but there have only been isolated cases of the strain, and it is not considered serious.
Relenza (zanamivir) works in the same way as Tamiflu, by blocking the production of neuraminidase, thus inhibiting the virus from spreading from cell to cell; however, Relenza is a mist that is taken in an inhaler format. Like Tamiflu and other swine flu treatments, Relenza must be taken within the first forty-eight hours of the illness in order to take full effect. Relenza has been linked to serious breathing problems, including bronchospasms, or wheezing, but these are generally confined to those with pre-existing breathing conditions such as asthma. While there have been no reports of a Relenza-resistant strain of swine flu in humans, although one has been discovered in a laboratory-created situation.
Although most people do not experience complications with swine flu, in those few cases where complications do occur, patients are prescribed antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that sometimes occur, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Because of the variety of swine flu treatments, only a physician should determine treatment for each patient. With proper preparation and treatment, swine flu generally can be cured within three to seven days.
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