POTHANANTHA RAJA PATHMANATHAN

0902005189
SWINE FLU
FACULTY OF MEDICINE
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
2010
What is swine flu?
The H1N1 flu, often called "swine flu," isn't related
to pigs. It's a new flu virus circulating among
people. First seen in April 2009, the H1N1 flu
virus has gone on to become a "pandemic," which
means that it has been seen worldwide.
mainly found infecting people and exhibits two
main surface antigens, H1 (hemagglutinin type 1)
and N1 (neuraminidase type1).
one strand derived from human flu strains, two
from avian (bird) strains, and five from swine
strains.

2 Major Cause of Swine Flu
Antigenic shift and antigenic drift
pigs can play a unique role as an intermediary
host to new flu types because pig respiratory cells
can be infected directly with bird, human, and
other mammalian flu viruses
For example, Bird flu viruses, which usually infect
the gastrointestinal cells of many bird species,
are shed in bird feces. Pigs can pick these
viruses up from the environment and seem to be
the major way that bird flu virus RNA segments
enter the mammalian flu virus population.

Here is a picture of the new swine flu
virus, colorized and magnified.
What are swine flu symptoms?
Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu
symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat,
body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some
people have reported diarrhea and vomiting
associated with swine flu. Those symptoms can
also be caused by many other conditions, and
that means that you and your doctor can't know,
just based on your symptoms, if you've got swine
flu. It takes a lab test to tell whether it's swine flu
or some other condition.

How does swine flu spread?
The new swine flu virus apparently spreads just
like regular flu. You could pick up germs directly
from an infected person, or by touching an object
they recently touched, and then touching your
eyes, mouth, or nose, delivering their germs for
your own infection. That's why you should make a
habit of washing your hands, even when you're
not ill. Flu germs can start spreading up to a day
before symptoms start, and for up to seven days
after getting sick, according to the CDC.

How is swine flu treated?
Swine flu (H1N1) is definitively diagnosed by
identifying the particular antigens associated with
the virus type. In general, this test is done in a
specialized laboratory and is not done by many
doctors' offices or hospital laboratories.
The H1N1 swine flu virus is sensitive to the
antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. But not
everyone needs those drugs. Most people who
have come down with swine flu have recovered
without treatment. The CDC has recommended
prioritizing antiviral drugs for people with more
severe illness and people in high-risk groups.
Health officials have asked people not to hoard
zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu).

What Types of Swine Flu Vaccines
Are Being Produced?
There are two forms of 2009 H1N1 vaccines
being produced: a 2009 H1N1 "flu shot" and the
2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine. The same
manufacturers who produce seasonal flu
vaccines are producing 2009 H1N1 vaccines for
use in the United States, and the vaccines are
being made in the same way that the seasonal
vaccines are made.

The current (October 2009) vaccine recommendations
from
the CDC say the following groups should get the
vaccine as
soon as it is available:
pregnant women,

people who live with or provide care for children
younger than 6 months of age,

health-care and emergency medical services
personnel,

people between 6 months and 24 years of age, and

people from the ages of 25 through 64 who are at
higher risk because of chronic health disorders such
as asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.


How can I prevent swine flu
infection?
The CDC recommends taking these steps:
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water,
especially after coughing or sneezing. Or, use an
alcohol-based hand cleaner.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Got flu symptoms? Stay home, and when you
cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose
with a tissue. Afterward, throw the tissue in the
trash and wash your hands.

Swine Flu (H1N1 Influenza Virus)
At A Glance
Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease
caused by viruses (influenza viruses) that infect the
respiratory tract of pigs and result in nasal secretions,
a barking-like cough, decreased appetite, and listless
behavior.
Swine flu viruses may mutate (change) so that they
are easily transmissible among humans.
The 2009 swine flu outbreak is due to infection with
the so-called H1N1 virus and was first observed in
Mexico.
Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to most
influenza infections: fever (100 F or greater), cough,
nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache.
Two antiviral agents, zanamivir (Relenza) and
oseltamivir (Tamiflu), have been reported to help
prevent or reduce the effects of swine flu if taken
within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

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