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Swine flu

Posted 04-05-2009Reply

Swine Influenza (swine flu) threat we are facing today is a infectious respiratory disease that normally causes outbreaks on pig population, but who's virus has adapted itself to human organism and it's spread now from human to human. It is caused by influenza virus A H1N1.
It spreads through air, from one person to other, from droplets of saliva, sneezing, coughing, from touching contaminated surfaces where the virus can stay alive for few hours.
The most frequent symptoms are:
• high fever
• headache, muscle aches
• fatigue, lack of appetite
• dry cough
• runny nose
• muscle aches
• digestive symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

There are mild forms but also severe forms that can lead to death.

Preventive measures:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue while coughing or sneezing and throw that tissue after use.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to avoid getting infected.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid crowded places.
• Don't travel in the areas where the virus has spread.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends to stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Efficient tratment consists in antiviral drugs: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza).
There is no preventive medication or available vaccine at this point and it's estimated that the vaccine will be launched on market not earlier than September.

Claudia

15 Posts

Rated 0 | Posted 17-05-2009

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Unfortunately the H1N1 influenza virus causing swine flu is in continuous spread and first case was confirmed in India on 16th May.

"A 23-year-old passenger, who arrived in Hyderabad from the U.S., has been confirmed to be carrying the deadly H1N1virus, officials said.

The passenger traveled by the Emirates Airline from New York to Hyderabad via Dubai. He reached India on Wednesday morning and was quarantined after he was found to be suffering from fever.

"We have informed Dubai and New York health authorities through the World Health Organization (WHO) about the case and informed them to track all those he might have passed on the infection to," Indian Health Secretary Naresh Dayal was quoted by the Indian Express, a local newspaper, as saying.

All the passengers who came in contact with the infected person are also being monitored.

"The office of the concerned airlines has been contacted to provide the list of passengers who traveled with him in close proximity. Information of such passengers would be provided to the WHO and respective countries through the External Affairs Ministry," a health ministry press statement said.

The passengers are being advised to remain under home quarantine for a period of seven days and monitor themselves for symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing.

They are also being asked to provide their contact details to Indian authorities."

Source: http://www.vitabeat.com/first-case-of-swine-flu-confirmed-in-india/v/10205/

According to WHO, until now this flu affected 7,520 people in 34 countries and killed 65 people.