Swine Flu is a number one health concern the world over. The HI1N1 flu or Swine Flu was first detected in US in April 2009. The worst affected areas initially were Canada & Mexico before H1N1 flu cases began to emerge in other areas of the world. In a short span of one months, the disease has spread to very all regions in the world. World Health Organization has called H1N1 as pandemic which means a large epidemic that involves the entire country or perhaps the world. Usually, the signs of a pandemic are when a virus without any immunity to stop it, spreads across various parts of the world.
Risk factors of Swine Flu
Swine Flu spreads from person to person in the same way as regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. People with high risk for seasonal flu are also at high risk for H1N1 flu. For example, people above 65 years of age, pregnant women, kids below 5 years of age & those with chronic medical conditions & lifestyle diseases like diabetes are at high risk.
Symptoms of Swine Flu
In kids, the symptoms of H1N1 virus include:
1. Fast Breathing or Difficulty in breathing.
2. Grayish or Bluish Skin Color
3. Dehydration
4. Persistent of severe vomiting
5. Not able to interact properly with people, become irritable
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough & fever
In adults, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
2. Pain in chest or abdomen
3. Sudden dizziness or loss of energy
4. Severe or continuous vomiting
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough & fever
The symptoms of H1N1 is similar to the ones that people get in regular, seasonal flu & so things like fever, sneezing, cough, body ache, head ache, shivering, sore throat & fatigue are common. Diarrhea & vomiting are also symptoms that have been associated with some cases of this flu, also known as Influenza A.
How can anyone with swine flu infect it to anyone else?
Infected people can actually infect others from the first day itself, even before they themselves get any symptoms. This means there’s also chances that one can pass on the symptoms of flu even before he or he knows that he or he is sick.
How do I catch swine flu?
H1N1 is transmitted the same way like seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread usually from person to person through sneezing or coughing by people who have influenza. Some people may become infected with the deadly H1N1 by touching something that has virus on it & then bringing to their nose or mouth.
How do I protect myself from swine flu? How can I take precautions against H1N1virus?
There is no vaccine that can protect you or be prevention against H1N1 Flu. You can only maintain hygiene & take care to prevent spread of germs that can lead to illnesses like influenza. Here are the ways in which you can prevent yourself against the flu:
1. Cover your mouth & nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you sneeze in to it.
2. Wash your hands with a liquid handwash like Dettol or Lifebuoy, after you cough or sneeze.
3. Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose. Germs can spread in this manner.
5. If you are sick with influenza, stay at home & do not go to school or work. Limit your contact with people so that they do not get infected.
4. Avoid contact with people who are infected. This is mournful but then the disease is highly infective.
7. Increase the airflow in your room by opening the windows for proper ventilation.
6. Do not venture in to crowded spaces.
How long can the Swine Flu virus stay on things like doorknobs & furniture?
According to medical experts, the influenza virus can stay on environmental surfaces & infect people from 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on things like door knobs, books etc. Germs of H1N1 can spread when a person touches infected areas or infected people & then touches their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Cough droplets or sneeze from an infected person can travel through the area. When a person comes in contact with droplets of sneeze of another person or touches things like books or table of that person that is contaminated with sneeze droplets, & touches his or her own eyes, mouth, nose etc; before washing hands, one can contract the virus.
8. Sleep well, eat nourishing food & practise healthy habits so that you are physically active & immune to the flu.
How do I prevent getting H1N1 in high risk areas?
If you live in places where people have been infected with H1N1 virus or have influenza like symptoms mentioned above, then you ought to stay home & avoid contact with these people. If you create flu like symptoms, do not leave things to chance & take instant medical care. Your health care provider or doctor will be able to tell you whether H1N1 flu testing is necessary.
What are the medicines & treatment options?
Taking oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) can treat H1N1 but they ought to be taken in the early stages of the disease. Antiviral drugs or prescription medicines can make your immune process strong & keep the flu viruses at bay & stop them from reproducing in your body. So, you ought to start taking antiviral drugs within one days of getting H1N1 or influenza symptoms.
How can I differentiate between H1N1 Swine Flu & seasonal flu?
You cannot tell the difference without a medical verdict on it. Since symptoms for both the diseases are same like cough, headache, sneezing, fever, runny nose etc, only your doctor will be able to say if you have H1N1 virus. In case, your doctor suspects symptoms, they will have your blood sample, nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) & throat swab to laboratories.
Does WHO recommend using a MASK?
If you are not sick or if you are not living in high risk areas, it is not necessary to wear a mask. If a near & dear one is sick with H1N1, you require to wear a mask since you will be in close contact with the ill person. Dispose the mask after contact & wash & tidy your hands thoroughly. Using the mask correctly is important because using it incorrectly will spread infection.
Home remedies for swine flu:
There’s no home remedies, when you must figure out if it is H1N1 or season flu. The H1N1 requires anti-viral drugs because treating it is an emergency issue. However you can prevent the spread of swine flu & strengthen your immune process by doing the following:
1. Wash your hands properly before having a meal, not with soap & water.
2. Wear face mask before going outside. If anyone is coughing or sneezing near you, cover your nose & mouth with palms or a hanky. Swine flu gets in to the body through the mouth & nose.
3. Drink lemon balm tea because it’s anti-viral properties.
4. Chew fresh garlic cloves because they have antiviral properties as well.
5. Steam inhalation with chamomile or eucalyptus thrice a day can relieve lung congestion & prevent swine flu symptoms.