Swine Flu (Swine Influenza A Virus) [H1N1 & H3N2 Strain Virus]

Swine flu is the viral disease that mainly affects the respiratory tract of pigs.

(Swine means stout-bodied short-legged omnivorous animals like pigs, hog,

grunter, squealer & sus sucrofa.) The swine flu is also called pig influenza, swine

flu, hog flu and pig flu.

Introduction & Background The term swine flu means influenza in pigs. The infected pigs come into contact

with hog farm workers and veterinarians. This makes them susceptible to swine

flu virus, a contagious virus that may transmit this swine infection and in turn

these personalities are the source of infection in others.

The very first case of human respiratory infection by swine flu virus (influenza

virus H1N1 strain –H1N1 strain has already been isolated in 2003 in Mexico) was

reported in spring 2009, late flu season. A months later, confirmed cases of H1N1

strain started increasing in almost all parts of the world. Noticing this, World

Health Organization declared this infection a global pandemic. This official

designation, Global Pandemic, was remained for more than a year until was

declared over (finish off) in August 2010.

Another strain of swine flu, H3N2 variant, has also made its way into humans. The

research showed that this strain also contains a gene form H1N1 virus. So far,

H3N2 viral strain has only been transmitted through human exposure to swine,

not from human to human.

What Is Swine Flu? Swine flu (swine influenza) is the disease of respiratory tract caused by the

influenza viruses (special strain i-e H1N1 and others) that affect the respiratory

tract of the pigs. The presenting complaints shown in pigs are nasal secretions, a

barking cough, decreased appetite and listless behavior. The signs and symptoms

appear in pigs are similar with that produced in humans by human flu virus.

Swine influenza virus was firstly isolated from the pigs in 1930 in USA owing to

cause infections in pigs noticed by pork producers and veterinarians. Now it has

been recognized to cause infectious diseases in pigs worldwide.

In most cases, the people have developed the swine flu disease or infection when

they are closely associated with pigs like those of farmers, pork processors and

likewise the pig populations are also susceptible to develop infection from human

flu virus (cases of pig populations infection by human flu virus are occasionally

seen). In most instances, swine flu infection to man and human flu virus infection

to pigs i-e cross-species infection have remained in local areas (endemic cases)

and have not caused pandemic or worldwide infections either in humans or pigs.

Unluckily, this cross species infection has had potential to change itself

(phenotype or genotype). The investigational studies cleared it that the novel

swine flu strain (H1N1), isolated in 2003 in Mexico was not the same strain

isolated in 1930 in USA from pigs since it differed from the previous strain

genetically. The eight RNA strands from novel H1N1 flu have one strand derived

from human flu strains, two from avian (bird) strains and five from swine strains.

The newest swine flu virus (recently reported) that has caused swine flu is

influenza A H3N2varient (commonly termed H3N2v) that began as an outbreak in

2011. The "v" in the name means the virus is a variant that normally infects only

pigs but has begun to infect humans.

Symptoms Of Swine Flu The signs and symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of infections with other

strains produced in humans;

Fever ≥100oF

Cough

Sore throat

Chills

Nasal secretions

Body aches

Fatigue

Nausea & Vomiting

Headache

Diarrhea

The symptoms develop about one to three days after you're exposed to the virus

and continue for about eight days (starting one day before you get sick and

continuing until you've recovered).

When To See Your Doctor? Flu need not concern much if you are generally healthy and got flu symptoms like

fever, cough and body ache but do visit your doctor if you are pregnant or have

some kind of chronic disease like emphysema or heart problems.

How Is Swine Flu Diagnosed? The diagnosis is made clinically by evolving patient’s history which include their

associated or contact with people known to have disease or dealing with pigs.

The prompt diagnosis besides clinical evaluation includes nasopharyngeal swab

culture to confirm the presence of influenza virus A or B. The following

interpretation can be made;

a) If test is negative, no flu is there.

b) If test is positive for influenza B, simple flu is there.

c) If test is positive for influenza A, swine flu is there.

The accuracy of these tests has been challenged and U.S. Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) still have to complete comparative studies for it.

Several other tests are under work which can give results in one hour. Most of

these tests are PCR based tests.

Causes/ Source Of Infection Swine influenza viruses affect the respiratory tract mainly lining of nose, throat

and lungs so it must have to assess through these routes. The swine flu virus is

transmitted from person to person by inhalation or ingestion of contaminated

droplets (droplets containing virus) from people sneezing or coughing or from a

contaminated surface to your eyes, nose and mouth.

Note: - It is not transmitted by eating cooked pork products.

Risk Factors Certain factors enhance chances of getting infection so you must avoid those

factors.

A travel to endemic area (where a lot of people are affected locally) of

swine flu H1N1 infection, renders you at high risk of getting exposed to the

virus, particularly in crowded areas.

Swine farmers, veterinarians and others with close exposure to pigs have

the highest risk of swine flu.

Exposure to swine at seasonal fairs is also documented but due to H3N2

variant infection.

Complications As it is cleared, flu need not concern much if you are generally healthy and got flu

symptoms like fever, cough and body ache but do visit your doctor if you are

pregnant or have some kind of chronic disease like emphysema or heart problems

because it may causes complications. Swine influenza complications include;

Pneumonia

Respiratory failure

Neurological symptoms (confusion to seizures)

Worsening of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes,

emphysema and asthma.

Treatment Most cases of flu including swine flu H1N1 need no treatment other than

symptomatic relief. But the cases that need concern are of chronic diseases like

heart diseases or some sort of respiratory diseases and pregnant lady as well. The

doctor may prescribe medication to prevent complications.

The anti-viral drugs Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are prescribed to reduce the

severity of the symptoms but resistance is much common against these drugs. So

to make development of resistance less likely, these drugs are reserved for cases

with high risk of complications.

The cases with high risk of complication are;

Patients with shortness of breath (SOB) having flu

Patients younger than 5 years of age (particularly younger than 2 years)

Advanced age persons particularly older than 65 years

Pregnant lady especially postpartum lady within two week or a lady with

pregnancy loss

Youngers with Reye’s syndrome( a rare but life threatening condition)

receiving aspirin therapy

Patient with chronic medical conditions, including asthma, emphysema,

heart disease, diabetes, neuromuscular disease, obesity and kidney, liver or

blood disease

Immunosuppressed persons due to medications or HIV

Preventions The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend flu

vaccination for all Americans older than 6 months of age. An H1N1 virus is one

component of the seasonal flu shot for 2013-2014 that also protects against two

or three other influenza viruses that are expected to be the most common during

the 2013-2014 flu seasons.

The trials have made to make vaccine available as an injection or a nasal spray.

The nasal spray is approved for use in healthy people ranging from 2 - 49 years of

age (females who are not pregnant).

Some measures should be done to prevent swine flu and limit its spread;

Stay Home If You Are Sick. If you do have H1N1 swine flu, you can transmit

it to others starting about 24 hours before you develop symptoms

(incubation period) and ending about seven days later.

Observe Hygiene. Wash your hands with soap some kind of cleaner. Flu

viruses can survive for two hours or longer on surfaces such as doorknobs

and countertops (influenza virus can transmit from a contaminated surface

to your eyes, nose and mouth).

Cover Your Mouth & Nose When You Sneeze Or Cough. To avoid

contamination & reduce the risk of transmission of virus to others, cover

your mouth & nose while sneezing or coughing.

Lifestyle Modification & Home Remedies Diseases always need not cure with medication but with certain modifications in

lifestyle and using natural cure or home remedies. So if you come down with flu,

some measures may help you a lot.

Get some rest as to help your immune system to fight.

Drink plenty of water, juices and hot drink as to prevent dehydration.

Seek help from nature to guard yourself by using immune boosting foods

Care using pain relievers as these as side effects as well. Use

acetaminophen and ibuprofen cautiously. Use caution while give aspirin to

children and teenagers. Never give aspirin to children recovering from

chickenpox or having flu-like symptoms as aspirin is associated with Reye’s

syndrome – a rare toxic liver disease.

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