What is Swine Flu, H1N1 Virus, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What is H1N1?

H1N1 is a swine flu virus which is causing illness in humans all over the world. Swine flu was first confirmed by World health Organization (WHO) in June, 2009. It is also known as Influenza A.

Causes of Swine Flu

The H1N1 virus was earlier found in pigs (called pig flu), subsequently it was changed and infected the human beings as a new virus of Swine influenza by hurting their immune system. Many cases of swine flu were seen in age group 5–25. Normally, Swine flu spreads through person to person in following conditions:

•  When infected person sneezes or coughs in gatherings.

•  When some touches the virus infected places such as door knob, desk, computer or counter and then touches his nose or mouth.

•  When someone touches H1N1 virus infected person.

Swine Flu Symptoms

What are the symptoms of flu? Symptoms of H1N1 virus or Swine flu are same like as common flu. If you are ill and have any of following warning signs, seek medical care urgently:

Symptoms of Flu in Children:

•    Fast or troublesome breathing
•    Bluish or grey skin color
•    Not drinking enough fluids
•    Stuffy or runny nose
•    Severe or persistent vomiting
•    Not walking up or not interacting
•    Flu symptoms but returning into fever and worse cough

Symptoms of Flu in Adults:

•    Fever (100^oF or more)
•    Chest or abdominal pain
•    Difficulty or shortness of breath
•    Cough
•    Sore throat
•    Muscle aches and exhaustion
•    Severe or persistent vomiting
•    Diarrhea

Swine Flu Treatment

Mostly Swine flu or H1N1 flu does not need antiviral drugs to recover. However, patients who are very sick or at high risk of flu complications require special care and antiviral treatment by the Specialists. Usually, pregnant women, and teenagers get H1N1 virus with bad consequences when they are infected. Surprisingly, old persons of age 65 and above have a lower risk than teenagers. The high risk patients may include:

• Children of age group 2 – 5 years.

• Adults of age up to 25 years.

• Patients already suffering from Chronic Lung, Asthma, heart problems, Kidney, Lever, Neurological and intramuscular conditions, Diabetes Mellifluous and Immune system disorder.

• Pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum.

• Health care workers or emergency staff.

• A person who remains within 6 feet of a confirmed or suspected patient of H1N1 Influenza A.

H1N1 Vaccine – Flu Jab

H1N1 influenza vaccine was first prepared in United States in October, 2009.

• CSL Product (L.M. 0.5 mL as a single dose)
• Novartis Product (L.M. 0.5 mL as a single dose)
• Sanofi Pasteur Product (L.M. 0.5 mL as a single dose)
• Medimmune Product (Intranasal: Adult <49 years: 0.2 mL as a single dose)

In pregnant and postpartum women who are close contact of individuals with suspected or confirmed H1N1 Influenza ‘A’ infection, antiviral chemoprophylaxis can be considered but an early treatment is alternative to prophylaxis. Zanamivir is a drug choice for prophylaxis with limited systemic absorption. Oseltamivir is an alternative agent with relative contradiction to Zanamivir. Both are category ‘C’ drugs for women with pregnancy or postpartum.

Although antiviral prophylaxis is not recommended for children and adolescents but Oseltamivir is approved for children under 1 year of age only in emergency cases for seasonal Influenza. Zanamivir is approved for children under 5 years of age with relatively contradiction in children with asthma.

How Long Do Flu Symptoms Last

The patients with influenza virus infection must remain hospitalized in isolated rooms for 7 days after start of illness till 24 hours after resolution of fever respiratory symptoms. The antiviral prophylaxis should be continued for 10 days after confirmation of H1N1 Influenza ‘A’ virus.

H1N1 Prevention

The spread of H1N1 or Swine flu virus can be minimized by taking some preventive measure such as:

Patients should be accommodated at hospitals in isolated rooms.

Health care workers must use gloves, gowns and eye protection gears to avoid any activity that might generate splashes of respiratory secretions or contact with potentially infectious material.

Health care personnel who remain in close contact with suspected or confirmed H1N1 Influenza ‘A’ infectious patients, must be respiratory protection equipment (N95).

Minimize the number of health care personnel to enter into isolated rooms.

Frequently wash hands after contact with patients and use fit-tested N95 respirators during interaction with patients.

Mostly infectious diseases occur due to unfiltered water and contaminated food, so always use purified water and fresh healthy food.