Swine Flu

The H1N1 Virus

History

• Spring of 2009, U.S. tourists returning from Mexico have strange form of flu.

• Many outbreaks and deaths in Mexico.• Origin unclear.• 'this strain has been circulating among pigs, possibly among

multiple continents, for many years prior to its  transmission to humans.' -Dr. Oliver Pybus of Oxford University

Influenza

o Seasonal Fluo Swine flu is a type A influenza

H1N1

H1N1

• Structure comes from one hemagglutin and one neuraminidase protein.o 16 different hemagglutin variationso 9 different neuraminidase variations

• Genetic material is in RNA form.• H1N1 is known to use pigs and some birds as 'resevoirs'• Mixture of various human, swine and bird flus

Signs and Symptoms

• Fever, can be very high• Headache• Muscle Aches• Chills• Extreme tiredness• Dry Cough• Runny Nose• Vomiting and Diarrhea• Various effects of the immune system.

Prognosis

• Acute onset• Usually non-lethal, but deaths have been reported.

o Similar to seasonal flu.

Spread

• Swine flu is Airborne• Transmitted through touch

Treatment

• Best option is to be vaccinated.• If one contracts Swine Flu.

o Treat the symptoms and stay restedo A doctor might perscribe an antiviral medication such as

Tamiflu or Relenza.

Bigger Picture

• More hype than actual danger.• No more of a global threat than seasonal flu as of now.

Bigger Picture Continued

• Visits to doctors for influenza-like illnesses and overall hospitalization rates are declining.

• Almost all influenza viruses that have been reported are H1N1.

• Nine states report regional influenza activity.• It is estimated that 4,000 Americans have died from swine

flu.

Influenza Mutation Activity

• Get into groups of two• One person picks five numbers (0-9)• This person arranges them in a random order and shows

them to the other person.• The first person then makes five changes to the order of

these numbers and the other person tries to make the same changes, without seeing.

• Compare results.