Swine Flu ( H1N1 Virus): Overview, Symptoms, Causes And Prevention

Divya Tripathi

, Health A2Z

What is Swine Flu?

 

Swine flu is also known as H1N1 virus. It is an influenza virus that causes symptoms similar to the regular flu. It originated in pigs but is spread basically, from a person to another person.

 

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Swine flu highlighted in 2009 when it was first discovered in humans and became a pandemic. Pandemic is transmissible diseases affecting people globally at the same time.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the H1N1 virus as pandemic over in August 2010. Since then, the H1N1 virus (swine flu) has been known as a human flu virus. It starts to spread in the flu season like other strains of the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is developing flu shot every year, includes vaccination against a type of H1N1 virus.

 

Swine Flu ( H1N1 Virus) Overview, Symptoms, Causes And Prevention

 

 

Swine flu again spreading its legs in India, many cases of this disease cases are coming up every day. BJP chief Mr. Amit Shah is suffering from it and get admitted to AIIMS for the treatment. “I have been diagnosed with swine flu for which the treatment is underway. With God’s grace and good wishes from all of you I will recover soon,” he said this on twitter in Hindi.

 

What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?

 

The H1N1 virus is very contagious and the symptoms  are similar to the seasonal flu and may include:

 

  • Fever

 

  • Body aches

 

  • Loss of appetite

 

  • A cough

 

  • A sore throat

 

 

 

  • A runny nose

 

  • Irritated eyes

 

  • Vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea

 

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What are the Causes of swine flu?

 

It is caused by an influenza virus that usually only infects pigs. You can’t catch it from eating cooked pork products.

 

It is very contagious. The disease is spread through saliva and mucus. People may spread it by:

 

  • sneezing

 

  • coughing

 

Who is at the Risk of Swine Flu?

 

  • If you are living in or traveling to an area where many people are affected by swine flu, then you can be exposed to the virus.

 

  • Veterinarians and swine farmers have the highest risk of exposure to it because they are near pigs.

 

Do You Know The Complication of H1N1 Virus?

 

Swine Flu  complications include:

 

  • Worsening of chronic conditions, such as asthma and heart disease

 

  • Pneumonia

 

  • Neurological symptoms, ranging from confusion to seizures

 

  • Respiratory failure

 

 

 

How Can You Prevent from H1N1 Virus?

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest annual flu vaccination for everyone above the 6 months or older. Flu vaccines for 2018-19 protect against the viruses that cause H1N1 virus and some other viruses as well that are most common during flu season.

 

The vaccine is available as a nasal spray or injection both. The nasal spray is used in healthy people from the age 2 to 49 years and who are not pregnant. The nasal spray isn’t recommended for people who are pregnant, children between 2 and 4 years old with wheezing or asthma.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

Here, we have discussed Swine flu, along with its symptoms, risk, and Causes as well. All the Symptoms of the H1N1 virus are as same as common flu. So, If you are facing any of the symptoms and these are not disappearing within a week than consult your doctor as soon as possible.

 

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