Swine Flu

Swine flu (swine flu) is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. This disease is actually the plural attacking pigs, but now has undergone drastic changes and is able to infect humans. Symptoms that occur in humans was similar to what occurs in pigs.

Swine flu was first isolated from a pig infected in 1930 in the United States. In its development, the disease can move on to attacking humans, especially those with close contact with pigs. Long time no heard from again turns out this virus experienced a series of mutations giving rise to a new variant of the first attack humans in Mexico in early 2009.This new variant known as the H1N1 virus which is an abbreviation of the two major antigens of the virus hemagglutinin type 1 and neuraminidase type 1.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

The main symptoms of swine flu are similar to symptoms of influenza in general such as: fever, cough, runny nose, fatigue and headaches. Some patients may experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

This disease can fall into a worse direction so that patients have difficulty breathing and require respiratory assistive devices (ventilator). If there are bacteria that infect the lungs, engaging the patient may have pneumonia or pneumonia. Some of them may experience symptoms of a seizure a seizure. Death generally occurs due to secondary bacterial infection in the lungs so that appropriate antibiotics are needed to overcome the infection.

How to diagnose swine flu?

Diagnosis of swine flu is being established based on the patient's clinical symptoms and history of contact with them meraka who have symptoms as above. Further examination of mucus or phlegm from the throat of the patient. This examination is useful to distinguish whether the virus that infects people with the virus, including type A or B. When we find that the result is a type B virus, it can be ascertained that the patient is not infected with swine flu. But if it turns out the result is a virus type A, then there is the possibility that patients infected with swine flu or H1N1 virus. The sample is then sent to a laboratory that is more comprehensive to ensure that the swine flu virus antigens swine flu diagnosis can be established with certainty.

How long will swine flu virus spread?

People suffering from swine flu A (H1N1) according to the experts will still transmit the disease until the seventh day. If until the seventh day of illness was not improved then it is considered that person can still transmit the disease until the symptoms of flu was completely gone. Especially children under five has the potential for a longer transmission time.

The period of this swine flu is still terggantung straindari again on the type or the H1N1 virus. If the patient is cared for at home then it is advisable not to advance out of the house until the illness is completely cured unless the concerned immediately to the doctor or hospital.

How to treat swine flu?

Although it has long found a vaccine to prevent transmission of influenza virus, but a vaccine for swine flu virus (H1N1) to date there has been no. Currently several government laboratories funded by the WHO is developing a research to find a vaccine swine flu virus.

Two anti-viral drug believed to prevent the increased severity of swine flu is zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu). The use of this drug should not be arbitrary because it feared would happen viral resistance to both drugs. The drug is also not recommended for symptoms of flu that has appeared more than 48 hours. In severe circumstances, patients may require more intensive treatment in hospital.

How to prevent swine flu infection?

The most effective way to prevent transmission of swine flu virus in principle the same as the way to prevent transmission of influenza viruses that others are vaccinated.Unfortunately, a vaccine for swine flu so far have not been found.

Another way to prevent transmission of this virus is to minimize contact with the virus such as washing hands frequently, avoid touching your face, especially nose and mouth and avoid close contact with people who are suffering from flu.

Prevention of transmission can also be done by those who have been infected by the way: avoid the crowds and always stayed at home. Do not work and attend school until the situation improves in advance. Avoid sneezing, coughing and talking too close to another person.