Dr.. Osama Abu Al-Rub

The media inform us from time to time of reports of new cases of swine flu, so what is this disease? What are its complications? How do we protect ourselves from it?

Swine flu is a disease that affects swine, and in rare cases it can be transmitted to humans. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by one of many influenza A viruses.

The disease is spread among pigs through direct and indirect contact with the spray and from infected pigs that have no symptoms. In many parts of the world, swine is vaccinated against swine flu.

The most common type of swine flu is the H1N1 subtype. However, the disease can occur as a result of other subtypes, such as "H1N2", "H3N1" and "H3N2".

The 2009 swine flu outbreak was caused by the H1N1 virus. But it is important to note that despite its evolution in pigs, the 2009 pandemic virus did not come entirely from pigs, as the virus contains a mixture of influenza genes from bird species, pigs and human influenza.

The epidemic appeared in Mexico in late March 2009. An alert was issued about the risk of the epidemic spreading widely on June 11, 2009, and was lifted on August 10, 2010.

Mortality
Initially the World Health Organization estimated the deaths at around 18,500, but a review published in the Lancet in 2012 raised it to between 151,000 and 575,000 cases.

The majority of swine flu cases were usually the H1N1 flu subtype. However, since 2017 the subtype "H3N2" has become the predominant one.

The most common way to contract a swine flu virus is in contact with a pig. There is currently a swine flu vaccine included in regular seasonal vaccines.

Symptoms

The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to those of regular flu, and they include:

  • body aches.
  • shudder.
  • Cough.
  • a headache.
  • Sore throat.
  • Fever.
  • fatigue.
  • A person with swine flu may develop vomiting and diarrhea.

A vaccine was produced to protect humans from the H1N1 strain of swine flu. This was introduced after the swine flu epidemic in 2009 and 2010.

Currently, the state of swine flu has changed from a pandemic to a seasonal type of human flu. The specialized vaccine has now been replaced by the most widespread seasonal vaccine.

the cure

There are some medications available that can effectively treat swine flu. The main treatments are adamantan, including amantadine and rimantadine, and drugs that inhibit the neuraminidase influenza protein, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir.

However, most people with swine flu recover completely without requiring medical attention.

Risk factors

Some people are more likely to get swine flu than others, such as:

  • People over the age of 65 years.
  • Children under 5 years.
  • People with chronic diseases.
  • pregnant women.
  • Teens who have been receiving aspirin for a long time.
  • Anyone with a weak immune system.

protection

  • Adhere to personal hygiene practices in all forms of animal handling, and these practices are of particular importance during the slaughtering and subsequent handling process.
  • The World Health Organization says that the swine flu virus cannot tolerate a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit / 70 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to the recommended reference temperature for cooking pork and other meat.
  • Wash hands regularly with soap.
  • When coughing or sneezing, the mouth should be covered with a tissue, then dumped into the trash.
  • Refrain from touching surfaces that may contain the virus.
  • Do not approach patients, and stay away from crowds in the event of a swine flu outbreak in your area.


If a person has swine flu, the following is recommended:

  • Get lots of sleep.
  • Drinking fluids.
  • Eat a balanced diet.
  • Reducing contact with others.
  • The injured person does not go to work or school to limit the spread of infection.
  • Wash hands and face regularly.
  • Keep all touched surfaces clean.
  • Follow all doctors ’instructions.