What is the swine flu?
This is acute infectious disease that is caused by H1N1 virus. It’s characterized by a large number of diseases among pigs, but their low mortality. Influenza epidemics reach the herd seasonally. Unfortunately, people attacked the mutated version of the virus containing the genes of both pig and human and avian influenza (pigs may in fact be attacked by viruses, including influenza, and these varieties, leading to mutations).
Epidemics among pigs appeared on many continents, North America, South America, Great Britain, Sweden, Italy, Kenya, China and Japan.
What are the symptoms?
There are similar to those accompanying the seasonal flu. Fever, weakness, anorexia, cough, sometimes the runny nose, sore throat, nausea, chest pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Symptoms in children, which should be particularly alert:
- Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing
- Anorexia
- Lack of interaction
- Flu-like symptoms, high fever, cough
- Rash
How can I become infected?
Usually infect humans through contact with infected pigs (so they are particularly vulnerable to the slaughterhouse workers, farmers), although some cases of disease occurred in people who have had contact with animals, what most worries epidemiologists. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has confirmed that the virus is transferred from humans to humans, but is not yet known how much it is contagious.
Transmissions from the people in humans are limited, however, be only to close contacts. Infection among men is the same as in the case of seasonal flu - through droplets (sneezing, coughing), and through contact with secretions from the respiratory tract of the patient.
Infected can transmit the virus to others, both before and after symptoms.
How long does the virus live outside body?
Some viruses and bacteria can live up 2 hours on surfaces such as handkerchiefs, handles, desks.
How can I help protect against infection?
First of all, wash your hands. Do not touch the surface, which could have had contact with the virus (patient discharge). Avoid contact with sick and touching eyes, nose and mouth - this way the virus is excreted rapidly. Patients should necessarily cover your mouth and nose; sneezing and coughing, tissues should be disposed of?
Is eating pork is safe?
Yes. Swine influenza is not transmitted in this way. Swine influenza virus is killed at a temperature of 70C. Eating properly prepared and heat treated (boiling, frying, baking, etc.) the meat is safe.
When can I diagnose the infection in humans?
Preferably 4-5 days after onset of symptoms when a person is highly contagious, but children can shed virus for 10 days or longer.
What can be treated with swine flu?
Unfortunately, viruses examined in the case of disease among the last people were resistant to some antiviral drugs. The treatment recommended two of the existing antiviral drugs on the market: oseltamivir (known as Tamiflu) and zanamivir (known as Relenza).
Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
There isn't to protect people. There is only used for pigs. I still do not know and to what extent if at all, seasonal influenza vaccine protect against a variety of swine, porcine H1N1 virus is very different because of the human variety.
Are we threatened pandemic?
It is highly likely that people who every day have no contact with pigs, they have no natural immunity to the virus. The scope of a pandemic, however, is difficult to predict - depends on the degree of resistance among the people (on both the virus and porcine regular, seasonal) and virulence of the virus itself.
Probably the biggest epidemic that struck humanity was the so-called flu Spanish, which in 1918 absorbed 50 million lives. It remains the benchmark for all other warnings about potential cases of pandemic. Comparison with the Spaniard has become so commonplace, but this time is more in place than ever before. Usually, the influenza virus attacks the children, the elderly and weakened immune system. Recent cases, like the majority of the victims of the 1918 young people are cheering and good health.
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