The Swine Flu Epidemic

FAQs about the Viral Disease

Apr 26, 2009 Jennifer Marsh

The swine flu has killed about two dozen people, so know the risks and precautions of the disease.

If you’ve been watching the news lately, there is a new mutated strain of virus that is called the swine flu. It has killed twenty people in Mexico, and it has recently claimed the lives of two Americans. Although the swine flu has been around for about a decade, the current strain has received attention and concern from the WHO and the CDC for its deadliness.

What is the Swine Flu?

Like humans, animals also acquire viruses that cause disease. The most recent strain of the swine flu making headlines is from H1N1 and H3N2 subtypes. Scientists believe that this form of the swine flu is a mutated variant with genes from swine, bird, and human flu bugs.

Can Humans Catch the Swine Flu?

Improved conditions and cleaner slaughter houses usually keep the swine flu from infecting humans, but just like the bird flu, these viruses mutate into different forms which can lead to zoonoses capable of causing disease in humans. The swine flu is a new strain, so the WHO (World Health Organization) is keeping a close eye on its spread.

Is a Vaccine Available for the Swine Flu?

Currently, there is no vaccine available for the swine flu. The WHO estimates that having a yearly flu vaccine confers to partial protection against the current H1N1 swine flu strain. However, this variant of the flu is biologically different than the strain that is protected by current vaccines, so there is still a chance of catching the new swine flu strain. The CDC is currently studying and developing a vaccine for the recent swine flu outbreak.

Is There any Kind of Treatment for the Swine Flu?

Catching any type of Influenza A virus is worrisome due to its high rate of mutation. While vaccination with an annual flu shot helps protect you against certain strains, influenza mutates often which is why new vaccines are needed every year. Even if you become infected with the swine flu, there are supportive measures that can be given to help survive through the symptoms. Even though the swine flu is a separate variant from typical strains and is resistant against many of the current flu medications, research has shown that it is still susceptible to Tamiflu and to Relenza.

Can You Become Infected with the Swine Flu from Eating Pork?

No, the swine flu is spread only from person-to-person contact or if you come into contact with a pig infected with the current strain.

The copyright of the article The Swine Flu Epidemic in General Medicine is owned by Jennifer Marsh. Permission to republish The Swine Flu Epidemic in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Swine Flu