Swine Flu Information

Swine flu also called as swine influenza or A/H1N1 pandemic virus is contagious diseases caused by the influenza A viruses. Swine influenza is common in pigs all over the world. Transmission of this virus from pig to the human is not possible. When the virus has changed their state they affect humans thus causing human influenza. This is called as zoonotic swine flu. People who have regular contact with the pigs are at the high risk to get affected by this virus.

The strain of swine flu rarely passes from human to human. Symptoms of this flu are similar to the regular flu like chill, fever, soar throat, pains, headache, cough, and general weakness.

swine flu virus are most common of H1N1 type and the other subtypes include H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, etc. pigs can be affected by the bird flu virus called as the avian influenza virus, human seasonal influenza virus as well as the swine flu virus. Sometimes a pig may be affected by the more than one type of virus at the same time. This allows the genes of the viruses to mix thus resulting in an influenza virus called the reassortant virus. In any case swine flu viruses are species specific and they affect the pigs and sometimes they cross the barrier affecting the humans.

There are antiviral drugs available to treat the swine flu. The spreading of the virus can be avoided by following some general precautions like:

• Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue while coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after using them.
• Washing the hands with soap or alcohol based hand cleaners once after coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth since germs spread this way.
• Stay in home if you are affected