Treatment and Prevention of Swine flu

Swine flu which has been in the news for last few days due to its another outbreak starting at Mexico and now spreading globally has created a panic worldwide, all steps are taken to restrict its spread so that it may not comes out to be pandemic for which the disease is quiet capable of.

Swine flu is a viral disease caused by orthomyxovirus, an influenza virus and this time a new strain H1N1 has been seen. For details about Swine flu one may see Swine flu and mode of its spread.

The symptoms are that of other flu consisting of high fever with chill, fatigue, coughing, sneezing, sore throat and sometimes even diarrhea and vomitting. Death takes place due to severe respiratory infection leading to dyspnoea and respiratory failure. Diagnosis is done by history of contact and some investigations confirm the diagnosis. Details can be seen at Symptoms and diagnosis of Swine flu.

Though it is better to take a measure to prevent ourself from this disease, but still those who had got infected should start treatment as early as possible.

Treatment of Swine flu

Traditionally amantadine and rimantadine are the antiviral agents used for influenza virus, but the newer strain of this virus in this outbreak is resistant to these antiviral agents.

As per Center of disease control (CDC) recommendation there are two antiviral agents which has been effective in treatment of Swine flu, these are Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir. These antiviral agents helps to recover faster and also prevents from life threatening complications. The treatment should be started as soon as possible preferably within 2 days of symptoms even without confirmatory diagnosis.

Many suggests that these drugs are not required as it is a self limiting disease, but now the role is proven and should always be taken without any hitch.

Vaccine for Swine flu

In 1976 when there was an outbreak of Swine flu, vaccines were made available and many person who has been vaccinated at that time may be in euphoria that they are protected, but the fact is previous vaccine is not at all protective as this is a different strain of influenza virus and till date there is no vaccine for this virus. Though WHO is in process to develop vaccine against this but one should not wait and should take other precautionary measures.

There are vaccine for influenza virus and those who are not immunized should take the vaccine as it protects from many types of flus though not the Swine flu causes by genetically modified H1N1 strain.

Prevention of Swine flu

This is the most important and probably the most recommended step to fight against this outbreak of Swine influenza virus causing flu.

The most important step is to restrict its spread by hamperin he mode of spread. The disease occurs primarily in pigs but it is not necessary to avoid porks as the virus is killed above 70 degree centigrade. So the pork should be well cooked before taking it.

The disease spread through respiratory tract so a face mask shoud be used while going out to avoid being infected through aerosols.

The centre of disease controls recommends following preventive steps to be taken.

* Hands should be properly washed and preferably by an alcohol based cleanser. Alcohol is supposed to be a virucidal.

* People should avoid touching their nose, throat, mouth and even eyes as the these are the places where viruses are present and by touching them it may even spread by contacts apart from aerosols.

* There should be proper disposal of coughs and sneeze in an alcohol containing garbage. If the cough spreads on the body or hand it should be immediately washed.

* One should not come in contact of a sick person and there should be at least 6 feet distance from a sick person.

* A health personnel or anyone who have to come in contact with sick person should use personal protective equipment that should be fit-tested N95 respirator [if unavailable or wear a medical (surgical mask)].

* If you are travelling cooperate with the authority who checks for the fever and follow their rules and regulations.

A preventive measure is utmost necessary and this is the only step which can restrict this outbreak of Swine flu from being pandemic.

I will request all the readers to go through the entire article and ask all their doubt and like a responsible person help the world to fight against thsi deadly outbreak of Swine flu.