SWINE FLU (swine influenza)

SWINE FLU (swine influenza)

Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease caused by viruses (influenza viruses) that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in nasal secretions, a barking cough, decreased appetite, and listless behavior.  In same manner Swine flu viruses may change so that they are easily transmissible among humans.

 Swine flu is the common name given to a relatively new strain of influenza (flu) that caused a flu pandemic in 2009-2010.  It is also referred to as H1N1 influenza (because it is the H1N1 strain of virus).

Current status

On 10 August 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the H1N1 influenza pandemic was officially over.  However, it is important not to ignore H1N1 flu. The H1N1 flu virus will be one of the main viruses circulating this winter. Therefore, the H1N1 flu virus has been included in the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine.

Vaccination

The people who are in high-risk groups be vaccinated against H1N1 (swine flu). This includes all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy, and those not in high-risk groups are advised to take the seasonal flu jab, which protects against H1N1 flu.

What to do if you have H1N1 flu

People with H1N1 flu typically have a fever or high temperature (over 38C or 100.4F) and may also have aching muscles, sore throat or a dry cough. The symptoms are very similar to other types of seasonal flu. Most people recover within a week, even without special treatment.

High-risk groups

Some people are more at risk of complications if they catch flu. People are particularly vulnerable if they have:

·         chronic (long-term) lung disease

·         chronic heart disease

·         chronic kidney disease

·         chronic liver disease

·         chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease)

·         immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)

·         diabetes mellitus

Also at risk are:

·         patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years

·         pregnant women

·         people aged 65 and over

To stop the virus spreading

The most important way to stop flu spreading is to have good respiratory and hand hygiene. This means sneezing into a tissue and quickly putting it in a bin. Wash your hands and work surfaces regularly and thoroughly to kill the virus.