What is Swine Flu
Swine Influenza also known as H1N1 flu, Swine flu, Pig and Hog flu is a virus commonly found in pigs throughout the world. It is due to a new Influenza A virus subtype H1N1. The big difference is that the current virus has components of pig and bird viruses in it, and humans don’t have any immunity to it. That is what has made it more likely to become a pandemic virus (that can cause a global outbreak) as it could easily spread from human to human. Swine flu can look like a normal fever as its symptoms are similar to normal human influenza like cold and cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue.
Approximately one percent to four percent of pigs that get infected die from it. It spreads among pigs by direct and indirect contact. In many parts of the world pigs are vaccinated against it.
Types
Influenza viruses that cause sickness in humans have been classified into three types - A, B and C, with A being common in pigs and C being rare. Influenza B has not been reported in pigs.
Most commonly, swine influenza is of the H1N1 influenza subtype. However, they can sometimes come from the other types, such as H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2. The current outbreak of swine flu that has infected humans is of the H1N1 type, this type is not as dangerous as some others. It is caused by a new virus that has changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person and it’s happening among people who haven’t had any contact with pigs.
To distinguish it both from viruses that infect mainly pigs and from the seasonal influenza A H1N1 viruses that have been in circulation for many years, the CDC calls the virus “novel influenza A (H1N1) virus” and the World Health organization calls it “pandemic (H1N1) 2009.” The CDC calls H1N1 illness “H1N1 flu” and the World Health Organization calls it “pandemic influenza A (H1N1).”
Some important things to note:
- * Mostly H1N1 spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone who is sick with it, like if they are coughing and sneezing close to you.
- * People with H1N1 are likely contagious for one day before and up to seven days after they began to get sick with swine flu symptoms.
- * Droplets from a cough or sneeze can also contaminate surfaces, such as a doorknob, drinking glass, or kitchen counter, although these germs likely don’t survive for more than a few hours.
With regular seasonal influenza, infants and elderly are usually thought to be most at risk for serious infections, in addition to people with chronic medical problems. However pregnant women, people with chronic medical problems, such as chronic lung disease, like asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression, children and adults with obesity tend to be at higher risk.
Its official name or scientific name is H1N1 influenza A. The H means hemagglutinin and the N means neuraminidase and the 1s refer to their antibody type. Influenza A is a genus of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses, and refers to the fact that the virus is first identified in an animal, usually a pig or a bird. When put together, they describe the 2009-2010 swine flu virus.
And now one final thing, transmission of the virus doesn’t require you to come into contact with pigs. It can pass from one human to another. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), there is some evidence that people who do come into contact regularly with pigs may be immune to this virus.