The Swine Flu Pandemic - Overview and Prevention
How to Identify, Prevent and Treat the H1N1 Flu Virus
Jun 12, 2009
Swine flu, or the H1N1 virus as it is scientifically known, has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), meaning that it is spreading from person to person in a highly contagious manner all across the globe. Although the severity of swine flu cases has not increased, the quantity of cases has increased significantly, with an estimated 74 countries reporting 29,000 cases of the virus since April 2009. As of June 2009, there have been 144 swine flu related deaths.
Who is at High Risk for Swine Flu?
It appears that people with weakened immune systems are most likely to be at risk. Other high-risk groups include pregnant women, people infected with the HIV virus, people with a history of heart disease, children (under 12 years) and the elderly (over 65 years).
What are Swine Flu Symptoms?
Swine flu has typically the same symptoms of any flu: sneezing, coughing, fever, sore throat, runny nose, body aches and chronic fatigue.
How is Swine Flu Transmitted?
Although it first originated as a result of human interaction with infected pigs, swine flu is now spreading from person to person in the same way regular flu transmits: via infected hands, or via inhaling infected droplets in the air. This means you can get swine flu if you shake hands with an infected person and then touch your nose, ears or mouth or an infected person sneezes or coughs in close proximity to you so that you inhale the infected droplets.
How Can You Avoid Getting Swine Flu?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising people to adopt the following preventive strategies for minimizing exposure to swine flu:
- Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand-wash
- Wash hands especially before touching your ears, nose and mouth
- Move away from a person coughing or sneezing openly
- Politely ask people near to you to cover their mouth while coughing or sneezing
- Wear a face mask to reduce inhalation of infected airborne droplets
- Use a respirator if you are in close contact with infected people
- Avoid crowded areas such as shopping malls and cinemas
Stay informed about swine flu cases and their severity in your region
What To Do in Case You Have Swine Flu?
If you have mild swine flu symptoms, it’s probably best to let it run its course by staying indoors and taking the preventive measures described above to avoid infecting others. But if you have a serious symptom, such as trouble breathing, then you should seek medical treatment immediately! Once lab tests have confirmed a case of swine flu, you may then be treated by anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu or Relenza. The CDC and WHO are currently working on a swine flu vaccine, which is expected to be released by October 2009.
