Swine Flu - A new terror spread at Northern America

Swine flu has been creating a panic in Northern America and most of the cases has been detected in Mexico, about 11 cases has been reported in USA, almost all countries has been alert for this disease caused by influenza virus or orthomyxovirus. Though there are several serotypes of influenza virus causing swine flu like H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. But now a days H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2 subtypes are creating terror. In earlier days it was H1N1 subtype as the main cause prior to 1998 and the role of pig was demonstrated after 1998 when H3N2 subtypes was isolated in them.

What is swine flu

Swine flu is a flu like syndrome usually affecting respiratory tract and is highly infectious caused by the group orthomyxovirus. It is completely different from the bird flu which was in limelight in 2004. This disease is usually transferred from infected pig to human, but there are also reports suggesting its spread directly from man to man via aerosol.

The swine flu is most contagious disease especially in the early days that is first 7 days which is generally the incubation period and the disease is not manifested, thus a preventive approach is utmost necessary even when one is in contact with normal appearing person during outbreaks.

Outbreaks of Swine flu

2009 outbreak is the third outbreak of swine flu and has started from Mexico, though cases has been detected from US and other parts of Northern America. Genetic resortment in the strain of H1N1 is the major culprit for the outbreak which are stealing sleeps now a days.

It has already taken 100 lives at Mexico, while cases has been detected in USA, New Zealand, Spain and even Hong Kong. As it is highly infectious and due to the continuous genetic changes in the virus, anti viral drug could not target the virus, a precautionalry measure is the best way to stop this disease to become pandemic globally.

Earlier outbreaks of Swine flu

It was in 1918 when the first outbreak of Swine flu was occured and was due to serotype H1N1, it became pandemic, in 1976 it was again detected and Fort Dix was the sufferer who died due to this, then vaccination against this was developed. In 2007 a genetically modified virus again spreaded thier disaster in Philippines. Thus the conclusion stays that in spite of being too much dependent on vaccination, it is better to have other precautionary measures.

How does swine flu spread?

Swine flu like any other flu is an infection of respiratory tract and this is the place where the virus reside. Primarily the disease occurs in pigs and the respiratory trsct of pigs are the reservoir for this virus. Once a human being gets infected then coughing and sneezing spreads the virus from one to another. The human being is infective upto 7 to 10 days after getting infected and can pread infection during that period even by being close as the air route is the mode.

The myth that it can spread by eating pork is absolutely false. The virus is thermosensitive and gets destroyed above 70 degree centigrade. Thus a well cooked pork is absolutely safe and can be take. Though uncooked and improper cooking may be at risk.

The climate ideal for the virus is at the beginning of cold but the recent outbreak has turned out to break this rule and even summer season is not spared.

If any one suffering from fever and cough, coryza should immediately attend the hospital and get themselves investigated and diagnosed as it has been declared as a medical emergency in many countries.

Don,t forget to visit Symptoms and diagnosis of Swine flu to know whether your fever is due to Swine flu or not.

There are some antiviral still which can be effective, though the newer strain of virus is resistant to most of them, so better is to prevent ourself from getting infection. So please visit Treatment and Prevention of Swine flu.