Swine influenza known as H1N1 virus flu was first detected in the years of 2009-10 when the disease-affected nearly 50,000 people and killed more than 2,700 across India. India has had 8,648 cases and 345swine flu deaths till May 7 this year, compared to 1,786 cases and 265 deaths in 2016. This is an alarming rise in the number of cases and should be of concern to the general public. Swine Flu basically originated in swine or pigs and as years rolled on, few new viri got spread among the people those who never been near pigs. It gets transmitted as like seasonal & common flu. When an H1N1 virus affected person coughs and sneezes, the virus gets sprayed out as tiny drops into the air. The virus from the affected individuals can get spread out in a day and the symptoms for an adult will reveal out only after 7 days. Flu peaks twice a year in India,in July and August and again from October to February. But cases are reported throughout the year.
Symptoms of swine flu include:
Sudden fever reaching up to 103 F, Dry persisting cough, Lingering headache, Prolongingtiredness & weakness, Feeling very chill in the palms and the toes, Pain in muscles and bones, Joints pain and limbs pain, Diarrhea with abdominal pain, Vomiting and nausea, Sore throat, Running nose or blocked nose, Unremitting sneezes, Disturbed sleep, Loss of appetite. The severity of symptoms can vary from mild to severe and sometimes requires hospitalization. In some cases, severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure can cause death. Sometimes, it leads to fatal conditions, which happen from the cause of secondary bacterial infection of the lung disorders.
A large number of individuals fall with swine flu every year. People who have a pre-existing condition respiratory problem like COPD or lifestyle disorders like diabetes are usually worst hit by the disease and may suffer from pneumonia, respiratory failure, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, kidney failure and even death.
Diagnosis of swine flu influenza infection is done by laboratory analysis. If you have flu-like symptoms, your respiratory specimen will be collected, preferably within 4 to 5 days of visible symptoms. A real-time PCR test is done where the viral genetic material is identified. Oseltamivir is an oral medication used for treating and preventing flu. Oseltamivir suppresses and decreases the spread of influenza A and B viruses, the viruses responsible for the flu. On average, oseltamivir reduces the duration of symptoms by one and a half days if treatment is started within forty-eight hours of the beginning of symptoms. Taking up of annual swine flu vaccine will help to fight against such H1N1 type of virus and will reduce the risk of being affected by this disease. Vaccination lowers influenza-related-illnesses by 60% and deaths by 70-80% in the elderly and decreases illness by70 to 90% in adults and children. Individuals more than 60 years of age, pregnant ladies, patients with underlying kidney diseases or weakened immune system may need regular yearly vaccinations The major measures to stay away for contacting the disease is by following proper cough etiquettes.