Swine influenza (also swine flu) refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV).
Of the three genera of human flu, two are endemic also in swine: Influenzavirus A is common and Influenzavirus C is rare. Influenzavirus B has not been reported in swine. Within Influenzavirus A and Influenzavirus C, the strains endemic to swine and humans are largely distinct.
Swine flu is common in swine and rare in humans. People who work with swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine influenza if the swine carry a strain able to infect humans. However, these strains infrequently circulate between humans as SIV rarely mutates into a form able to pass easily from human to human. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.
The 2009 flu outbreak in humans is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that derives in part from human influenza, avian influenza, and two separate strains of swine influenza. The origins of this new strain are unknown, and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that it has not been isolated in swine. It passes with apparent ease from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. The strain in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person makes a full recovery without requiring medical attention and without the use of antiviral medicines.
Source: Wikipedia
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
+ Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
+ Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
+ Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
+ Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
+ Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
Swine influenza (also swine flu) refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV).
About Me
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
+ Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
+ Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
+ Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
+ Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
+ Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
SYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO
+ Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue
+ If you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, you should seek medical advice
+ If you suspect you are infected, you should stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection
+ If you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, you should seek medical advice
+ If you suspect you are infected, you should stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection
Labels
Posts
SWINE FLU - THE BASICS
+ Symptoms usually similar to seasonal flu - but deaths recorded in Mexico
+ It is a new version of the H1N1 strain which caused the 1918 flu pandemic
+ Too early to say whether it will lead to a pandemic
+ Current treatments do work, but there is no vaccine
+ Good personal hygiene, such as washing hands, covering nose when sneezing advised
Blog Archive
Followers
FLU PANDEMICS
+ 1918: The Spanish flu pandemic remains the most devastating outbreak of modern times. Caused by a form of the H1N1 strain of flu, it is estimated that up to 40% of the world's population were infected, and more than 50 million people died, with young adults particularly badly affected
+ 1957: Asian flu killed two million people. Caused by a human form of the virus, H2N2, combining with a mutated strain found in wild ducks. The impact of the pandemic was minimised by rapid action by health authorities, who identified the virus, and made vaccine available speedily. The elderly were particularly vulnerable
+ 1968: An outbreak first detected in Hong Kong, and caused by a strain known as H3N2, killed up to one million people globally, with those over 65 most likely to die
No comments:
Post a Comment