Why Is It Called Swine Flu | Swine Flu Pandemic, Symptoms, Treatment

The pandemic that recently attacked the world was called swine flu. The reason why is it called swine flu is because the influenza virus originated from pigs or porcine species. Based on laboratory tests, many of the genes in the new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. The virus is endemic in pigs and usually does not infect humans, but eventually, the virus somehow found its way to transfer to human beings due to exposure to barns and country fairs.

Classifications of Swine Flu

There are three classifications of swine flu, the Influenza A, B and C but Influenza B has not ever been accounted in pigs. The most common among humans and pigs are Influenza A and C.

Influenza A

Swine flu is commonly known as the cause of the subtypes of influenza A, which are H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2, while the H1N1 subtype is more common in the population of pigs.

Influenza C

Influenza C virus is also infectious among humans and pigs; however, this virus does not infect the avian family. In the past, a small influenza outbreak caused by this virus has occurred in Japan and California.

Swine Flu Transmission

The swine flu is basically transmitted just as any viral disease is transmitted through person-to-person contact. A person who touches something or someone a virus has already touched is at risk of acquiring the virus.  Inhaling the cough or sneeze droplets of a person who has swine flu also paved the way for a person-to-person transmission of the virus.

Symptoms and Treatment of Swine Flu

Generally, a person with swine flu has the same symptoms as that of a person who has acquired a common flu.  An infected person with swine flu typically experiences fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some patients also experience diarrhea and vomiting.

If a person becomes infected with swine flu, antiviral drugs can help by making the illness milder and make the patient feel better the soonest possible time. The said drug may also prevent further flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs are more effective if taking it starts right after the person gets sick or within 2 days of symptoms. Aside from antiviral, the patient’s fever must be controlled, the pain must be relieved and fluid inside the body must be monitored. Medical practitioners recommend for the patient to Tamiflu or Relenza for prevention and treatment of swine flu infection, but it must be noted that most of the patients recover from swine flu even without medical attention for as long as they isolate themselves from others and take a full rest before going back to their normal routines.

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