WHAT IS SWINE FLU?
Swine Influenza ( swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses (H1N1 subtype) that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu ,but human infections can and do happen.
Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person to person, but in the past ,this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Body ache
- Head ache
- Fatigue
- Chills
In the past several illness ( pneumonia and respiratory failure)and death have been reported with swine flu infection in people.
Like seasonal flu swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
HOW DOES SWINE FLU SPREAD?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses mainly spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Some times people may get infected by touching something
with flu virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET INFECTED?
In children emergency warning signs that needs urgent medical attentions include:
- Fast breathing or trouble in breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
In adults emergency warning signs that needs urgent medical attentions include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
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