The Swine Flu is the most concerning and serious issue of the country. Its been growing and growing rapidly. There are all kinds of thoughts among different people. So I thought of bringing all of them together to make it easy and concise to understand. All the essential guidelines, safety measures and precautions, treatments available and how to prevent it.

More than 18 labs in india are working on the vaccine development for the flu. Doctors in major city airports are round the clock present to check the passengers. The city Pune has suffered the most i.e. 10 deaths.

Several schools have been closed in big cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai as a precaution.

Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad appealed to anyone with flu like symptoms to stay away from crowded places. He said his ministry will ask state governments to step up preparedness to tackle a possible increase in the number of cases. He said 864 people have been identified with H1N1 virus in the country, of which 533 have been treated. He says says sufficient stocks of the anti-flu drug are being distributed.

This is a very serious issue. Till now 19 deaths have been confirmed in India and 1154 deaths worldwide. I have organized all details and information in a precise and compact way so that you don’t have to rush every other website for the same info and get confused.

What is Swine Influenza?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there?

Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza types. A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses which are responsible for the swine flu in India. All infected patients have been found to be suffering from this virus only.

Can humans catch swine flu?

Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others.

If a human catches swine flu, then he/she is completely capable of transmitting it to other human beings.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?

In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the

U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported. And till now i.e. August 14, 2009 more than 1000 cases in india alone are known. More than 17 have been died in India. It has been estimated that, if not controlled more than 10 million people will be suffering from it by the end of this year i.e. 2009.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be

• similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza
• includes fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing
• in some cases people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

Basically, in India people are not used to eat pork at all. But, in other countries or in some cases in india too if you eat pork … there is no need to be frightened. So the answer is No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.

Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products are safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills

How does swine flu spread?

• From pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs
• Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus.
• By touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu?

In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.

In follow-up studies, 76% of swine exhibitors tested had antibody evidence of swine flu infection but no serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggest that one to three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to CDC for laboratory testing.

What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?

There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent seven swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?

Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu.

The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses. But it has been claimed that the vaccine will be prepared by the February of 2010. A firm in India has claimed to develop it before the December of year 2009.

Prevention is better than Cure

How can I prevent myself from A(H1N1)?

The main route of transmission of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus seems to be similar to seasonal influenza, via droplets that are expelled by speaking, sneezing or coughing. You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following measures:

• avoid touching your mouth and nose;
• clean hands thoroughly with soap and water, or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub on a regular basis (especially if touching the mouth and nose, or surfaces that are potentially contaminated);
• avoid close contact with people who might be ill; reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible;
• improve airflow in your living space by opening windows;
• practise good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active.

What about using a mask? What does WHO recommend?

• If you are not sick you do not have to wear a mask.
• If you are caring for a sick person, you can wear a mask when you are in close contact with the ill person and dispose of it immediately after contact, and cleanse your hands thoroughly afterwards.
• If you are sick and must travel or be around

Should I take an antiviral now just in case I catch the new virus?

No. You should only take an antiviral, such as oseltamivir or zanamivir, if your health care provider advises you to do so. Individuals should not buy medicines to prevent or fight this new influenza without a prescription, and they should exercise caution in buying antivirals over the Internet.

Can I travel?

If you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of influenza, you should not travel. If you have any doubts about your health, you should check with your health care provider.

How to protect yourself from influenza A(H1N1) when travelling?

• People who are ill should delay travel plans. Returning travelers who become ill should contact their health care provider.
• Travellers can protect themselves and others by following simple prevention practices that apply while travelling and in daily life.

For more information, FAQ’s and advisories on Swine Flu, go through these websites:

http://www.swinefluindia.com – A fight against pandemic! Contains helpline numbers for major cities or cities in which cases have been found.

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/