What is Swine flu?- Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus, which is usually seen in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections  happen. The virus is contagious and spreads from human to human. Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

Why is  H1N1 virus  called “Swine flu”?- H1N1 referred to as “swine flu”, is a new influenza virus causing illness in people.  This virus was  referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America.

Outbreak of H1N1:- The outbreak  of  H1N1 was first detected in mid-April 2009 in the US. Then it started spreading from person-to-person worldwide. Following the outbreak, on May 2, 2009, it was reported in pigs at a farm in Alberta, Canada, with a link to the outbreak in Mexico. The pigs are suspected to have caught this new strain of virus from a farm worker who recently returned from Mexico, then showed symptoms of an influenza-like illness.

The signs and symptoms of H1N1:- The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish or gray skin colour, not drinking enough fluids, severe or persistent vomiting, diarrhea, not waking up or not interacting, irritation, fever and worse cough.

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath,

pain in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, fever and  worse cough.

How does H1N1 spread:- People infected with H1N1 flu  may infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus. Virus can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Virus can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands. Pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases are more likely to be affected by H1N1.

Prevention & Treatment:- There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 virus. However, a H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public very soon. Two antiviral medications, oseltamivir and zanamivir, marketed as Tamiflu and Relenza, respectively, can help and shorten the duration and severity of H1N1 swine flu. But we can prevent the spread of germs by adopting some steps.

The steps to protect us from H1N1 virus: 1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Virus spread this way.

4. Try to avoid close contact with sick people and use proper mask.

5. If you are sick with flu-like illness,  stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. Your fever should  go without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze. If you have  severe illness or you are at high risk of flu complications, contact the doctor and seek medical care.

If one of your family member at home is sick with H1N1 flu:- If you have an ill family member at home with  H1N1 flu, contact the doctor and seek medical care. You should take some precautions and  monitor your health every day.  If some one has an underlying medical condition or is pregnant, then doctor should be called for advice because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.  To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste. To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant. The bed sheets,  towels  and clothes of the affected person should be washed by  soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. Eating utensils and dishes belonging to the sick,  need to be cleaned separately by dishwasher or by hand with water and soap and  should not be shared by others. The patient  should be kept away from others  as much as possible to keep from making others sick. He should not leave home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.