Swine Flu ( H1N1) Education - part 1

SWINE FLU

As I wish to know more about the Swine Flu virus, I have tried to gathered information from different websites, doctor's seminar about this virus, I even ask hand outs from various hospitals and health center to learn more about this influenza pandemic. As I educate myself about these, I wish to share it to my readers and to the world what I have learned as I seek information about this and how can we help one another to eliminate or lessen the spread to this so called Swine Flu virus.

What is Swine Flu ( The New Influenza A (H1N1) virus?

Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most out breaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

The recent outbreaks of disease in people globally by a new influenza A (H1N1). There is a human H5N1 virus circulating and causing seasonal influenza and in the past, very occasionally, H1N1 virus causing illness now is new and in the current outbreaks it is clear that this virus is able to infect humans and be passed from person to another person. We all know that part of this virus originated from pigs but still there is no evidence that current spread of infection is coming from the source.

How does Swine Flu Spread?

In the past the spread of this virus is limited and not sustained three people. Now this new virus is thought to happening in the same way that seasonal influenza spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What to do to keep from getting infected?

Very important wash your hands. try to stay in good general health, Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with someone with flu virus and avoid close contact to sick people.

Information taken from the following useful websites:

www.un.org/staff/pandemic
www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
reading materials gathered from my office, hospitals and health centers.