Swine flu is respiratory illness caused by the SIV (swine influenza virus). The epidemic of swine flu was caused by the SIV sub – type H1N1. Read about CAUSES OF SWINE FLU.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF SWINE FLU
But other sub – types are H1N2, H3N2, H1N3, H3N1, and H2N3 can also cause the illness. The virus was termed ‘H1N1’ because it mainly displayed by 2 types of antigens neuraminidase 1 and hemagglutinin 1.
The sickness is originally known to affect the pigs. It is known to contain spread to humans who came in direct contact with the pigs. However, the new virus or the transformed type of virus that has appeared over the years has the ability to affect the humans without any direct contact with pigs. The virus is conveyed from person to person through the same way as other flu viruses.
A healthy person may obtain the infection by breathe in droplets excluded by the infected person as coughing or sneezing or by contacting surfaces infected with the virus. The virus is not conveyed directly by eating cooked red meat.
RISK FACTORS
Since swine flu can directly be conveyed from one person to another through an air droplet, people who fail to follow the proper hygiene, particularly in crowded places are at high risk of contracting the virus. But, according to an observation, there are specific groups of individuals that have been the most affected by the sickness. The group at high risk includes:
Individuals having any other respiratory condition like
- Pneumonia
- Pregnant women
- People who are suffering from chronic diseases like heart diseases and diabetes
- People more than 65 years of age and children younger than 2 years
These risk groups have been identified based on observation and does not involve that you have swine flu, if you have flu like symptoms and belong to any of above risk groups. But, you should look for essential medical care if have flu symptoms.
SYMPTOMS
Most of the symptoms of swine flu are quite similar to regular influenza. Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Diarrhoea
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Block nasal passage
- Fatigue
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES OF SWINE FLU