The swine flu that had claimed many lives around the world has been on the decline in the last few months. There are fewer cases being reported and the number of people who die from it has become very less too.
The reason for the decrease in the number of swine flu cases is natural. All viruses seem to be very virulent for a period of time and then there is a decrease in the power of the virus to affect people until a new strain starts appearing.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Swine flu in India
Swine flu has been increasing its grip over the people of the world. Especially in India, the number of deaths due to this viral disease is increasing. People have to be careful that they do not spread this disease to their family or friends. Swine flu is mild in most people, but the swine flu can also kill at least 10% of those affected.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Diagnosis and treatment of swine flu
Swine flu is on the rise in many parts of the world, though not on a rapid scale. The spread has been controlled by appropriate health education and other measures. In spite of this, there are chances of the spread of the infection.
The possibility of swine flu virus infection in patients with fever and respiratory symptoms should be considered if
§ The person has traveled to an area where human cases of swine fever have been identified. This includes all the countries that have had any number of affected people. Especially North America, as this was the place that is more affected.
§ The person has been in contact with ill persons from affected areas seven days prior to the onset of their illness. This is because the symptoms are usually visible at least seven days after the exposure to the condition.
Once swine flu is suspected respiratory swab testing should be done. This helps in diagnosing the condition.
Management of infected cases:
General:
§ Separation of the case from others in a single room until symptoms free. Even suspected people should be quarantined. This will help to prevent the spread.
§ Follow respiratory hygiene.
Antiviral treatment:
Taking Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) 75 mg twice daily for 5 days can make the illness milder and recovery faster. It could also prevent serious complications. It is best started within two days of onset of symptoms.
Vaccine: There is no vaccine currently available. Since it is a virus recently identified, there has been little time for the scientists to get a vaccine ready.
The possibility of swine flu virus infection in patients with fever and respiratory symptoms should be considered if
§ The person has traveled to an area where human cases of swine fever have been identified. This includes all the countries that have had any number of affected people. Especially North America, as this was the place that is more affected.
§ The person has been in contact with ill persons from affected areas seven days prior to the onset of their illness. This is because the symptoms are usually visible at least seven days after the exposure to the condition.
Once swine flu is suspected respiratory swab testing should be done. This helps in diagnosing the condition.
Management of infected cases:
General:
§ Separation of the case from others in a single room until symptoms free. Even suspected people should be quarantined. This will help to prevent the spread.
§ Follow respiratory hygiene.
Antiviral treatment:
Taking Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) 75 mg twice daily for 5 days can make the illness milder and recovery faster. It could also prevent serious complications. It is best started within two days of onset of symptoms.
Vaccine: There is no vaccine currently available. Since it is a virus recently identified, there has been little time for the scientists to get a vaccine ready.
Precautions and guidelines to prevent swine flu
Guidelines for the public
Over nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. This practice is good even during other times, when there are chances of infection spreading to other people.
Wash hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. This will wash away the micro organisms and prevent the spread.
Avoid close contact (6 feet distance) with sick people affected by the virus. This is for all those who are not health professionals who have had training to treat swine flu affected patients.
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
If sick with flu stay away from work / school to avoid infecting others. Also it is better to consult a physician as early as possible.
Remember, the earlier you seek treatment, the better. It will prevent spread of the infection to your loved ones and also to the others.
When these guidelines are followed, the disease is completely curable and the patient becomes symptom free.
Over nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. This practice is good even during other times, when there are chances of infection spreading to other people.
Wash hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. This will wash away the micro organisms and prevent the spread.
Avoid close contact (6 feet distance) with sick people affected by the virus. This is for all those who are not health professionals who have had training to treat swine flu affected patients.
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
If sick with flu stay away from work / school to avoid infecting others. Also it is better to consult a physician as early as possible.
Remember, the earlier you seek treatment, the better. It will prevent spread of the infection to your loved ones and also to the others.
When these guidelines are followed, the disease is completely curable and the patient becomes symptom free.
Important facts about swine flu
Swine flu is the respiratory illness of pigs caused by infection with swine influenza. It is a virus that can occasionally affect humans.
The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus. Subtype HINI, identified in April 2009, is commonly referred to as swine flu. It is a novel strain of influenza - a
re- assortment of four known strains of influenza A virus sub type HINI- one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds and two endemic in swine (pigs).
The outbreak was first detected in Mexico City in March 2009. By mid June seventy six countries had officially reported several thousand cases of swine flu (39,620). The WHO declared the outbreak to be a pandemic on June 11, 2009 due to the global spread of the virus and not its severity. Pandemic alert level was classified as Phase 6, meaning that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of the world.
Symptoms are similar to those caused by other influenza viruses and it is not possible to distinguish swine flu from regular seasonal influenza on the basis of symptoms alone.
The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus. Subtype HINI, identified in April 2009, is commonly referred to as swine flu. It is a novel strain of influenza - a
re- assortment of four known strains of influenza A virus sub type HINI- one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds and two endemic in swine (pigs).
The outbreak was first detected in Mexico City in March 2009. By mid June seventy six countries had officially reported several thousand cases of swine flu (39,620). The WHO declared the outbreak to be a pandemic on June 11, 2009 due to the global spread of the virus and not its severity. Pandemic alert level was classified as Phase 6, meaning that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of the world.
Symptoms are similar to those caused by other influenza viruses and it is not possible to distinguish swine flu from regular seasonal influenza on the basis of symptoms alone.
Symptoms and spread of swine flu
Symptoms:
Symptoms range from mild to severe. The usual presentation is a sudden onset of fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion with nasal discharge along with headache, body ache and severe weakness. Patients can also have symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, chills, breathing difficulty and, rarely, conjunctivitis. Severe disease presents with pneumonia and respiratory failure resulting in death.
A chronic medical condition in a person can result in the worsening of his underlying symptoms.
Spread:
Influenza spreads easily as respiratory droplets containing the virus are transmitted when the infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. It can also spread via a contaminated fomite or by touching an infected person without following the necessary precautions. The infected person is potentially contagious for up to 7 days following the onset of illness. Unlike seasonal flu, swine flu has affected mainly children of all ages and healthy young adults.
It spreads due to close contact with any affected person. So the people who have visited the affected countries are screened at airports of countries that are not affected. In spite of this, the swine flu has spread its wings over many countries.
In this era of frequent and easy travel, the spread should have been more rapid and wider than what is actually present now. The reason that the spread has been controlled to a large extent is the immediate action taken by the governments of different countries. Also the improvement in health care has helped by quarantining the affected patients and treating them effectively.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. The usual presentation is a sudden onset of fever, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion with nasal discharge along with headache, body ache and severe weakness. Patients can also have symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, chills, breathing difficulty and, rarely, conjunctivitis. Severe disease presents with pneumonia and respiratory failure resulting in death.
A chronic medical condition in a person can result in the worsening of his underlying symptoms.
Spread:
Influenza spreads easily as respiratory droplets containing the virus are transmitted when the infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. It can also spread via a contaminated fomite or by touching an infected person without following the necessary precautions. The infected person is potentially contagious for up to 7 days following the onset of illness. Unlike seasonal flu, swine flu has affected mainly children of all ages and healthy young adults.
It spreads due to close contact with any affected person. So the people who have visited the affected countries are screened at airports of countries that are not affected. In spite of this, the swine flu has spread its wings over many countries.
In this era of frequent and easy travel, the spread should have been more rapid and wider than what is actually present now. The reason that the spread has been controlled to a large extent is the immediate action taken by the governments of different countries. Also the improvement in health care has helped by quarantining the affected patients and treating them effectively.
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