Swine Flu/Swine Influenza

• Swine Flu/Swine Influenza refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine)


• Swine flu is common in swine and rare in humans

• People who work with swine are at risk of getting swine influenza if the swine carries a virus strain capable to infect humans (zoonotic transmission)

• The outbreak of swine flu is due to mutation of Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) into a form which can pass easily from human to human

• Swine Flu is also known as H1N1 flu, hog flu, and pig flu

Cause:

• Agent: For the 2009 swine flu outbreak, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2 and H2N3 – these are a genetic mixture of viruses that have been seen in pigs, birds and people but it is called Swine Flu as the structure of this virus is similar to SIV

• Source of Infection: This virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes around you or by touching something (like desk, doorknob, phone handset, etc.) with the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes with your now infected hands

• Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick which means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick

Signs & Symptoms:



• In humans the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza which includes: Fever, Chills, Cough, Sore Throat, Body Aches, Headache and Fatigue

• Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with swine flu

• Swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions

• Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish skin colour

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Not waking up or not interacting

• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

Investigation:

• The rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test is used to scan samples from flu patients to determine if they have the new strain but the current tests cannot detect all the virus subtypes that are suspected of creating the new strain of swine flu

• In the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test, a nasal or nasopharyngeal swab is used to amplify the genetic profile of the virus. A positive test result presumably concludes that the patient is carrying the swine flu but it cannot determine the stage of infection and a negative test result does not conclude that a person does not carry the swine flu virus

• This test is done in a specialized laboratory and is not done by many clinics or hospital laboratories

Prevention:

Some hygiene steps that can help in preventing the spread of germs are:

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people

• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as the virus can spread this way

• Avoid being in crowded settings. If you happen to be in crowded places then the time spent should be as short as possible

• Use of face masks and respirators to some extent help but should be combined with other preventive measures for effective prevention

• Facemasks should be considered for use by individuals who enter crowded settings in order to protect their nose and mouth from other people’s coughs and sneezes. This will also reduce the wearer’s possibility of coughing or sneezing on others

• Respirators should be considered for use by those individuals for whom close contact with an infectious person is unavoidable like people taking care of a sick person

• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it

• Cover your mouth with hands while you sneeze or cough if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes used by the ill person should be thoroughly washed with soap and water before use by other persons

• If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms like fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, cough, nausea or vomiting or diarrhoea then you should contact your doctor. Your doctor will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

Treatment:

• Antivirals: Oseltamivir and Zanamivir - are recommended for the treatment and prevention of the infection with swine flu virus

• If a person gets sick, antiviral drugs, which work best if started within 2 days of getting symptoms, can make the illness milder as well as prevent serious flu complications, and hence, make the patient feel better faster

• These drugs should not be used indiscriminately as viral resistance to them can occur

• Severe infections in some patients may require additional supportive measures such as ventilation support and treatment of other infections/complications like pneumonia that can occur in patients with a severe flu infection

Some Facts:

• Pork and other pig-derived products (like ham, sausages, etc) if properly handled and cooked do not transmit swine flu as the flu virus is killed by cooking temperature of 160 degree F (70 degree C)

• As per research studies, any new virus which is able to spread from an animal to a person and then spread from person to person - is always a source of concern as such virus when in human to human transmission can continue to mutate making it difficult to treat

• Studies also say that a new strain of the flu virus can spread faster because people do not have natural immunity and the development of vaccine to such virus may take months

• If you have any symptoms then it is advisable to refer to your doctor at the earliest as an early treatment is found to be effective in the cases of swine flu