Swine Flu which is also called by the name H1N1 Flu, caused by the H1N1 Virus which is transmitted from pigs are the carriers of this Virus.
The H1N1 Virus affects the Pigs mostly not being fatal but causes severe illness in them.
The cause of the current Pandemic in ‘2009’ is due to a mutation in the DNA of H1N1 strain of the Virus which is said to be very infectious spreading through coughing and Sneezing.
This is what the WHO spokesmand had to say:
“We are very, very concerned,” World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesman Thomas Abraham said. “We have what appears to be a novel virus and it has spread from human to human… It’s all hands on deck at the moment.”
The WHO has termed the Spread of the H1N1 virus in the year 2009 as a Pandemic and asked all the countries around the world to be very alert about the Spread.
What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu ???
- Running Nose
- Muscle and Joint Pains
- Diarrhoea and Vomitings: Only seen in End stage of the disease when not treated properly.
Why is the Virus more Deadly than before ???
The Virus which is the cause of the 2009 Pandemic is not the original H1N1 virus but is a Mutated form of the virus, where the DNA has been altered resembling that of Avine and human Influenza viruses.
And also this Virus is resistant to the Antiviral medication given for Flu.
For this reason there is no sudden cure for the disease, and which is the cause of the many deaths around the world due to the Virus infection.
How is Swine Flu Diagnosed ???
- Know the history of any association with an affected person recently.
- With the help of a Throat Swab / Nasopharyngeal Swab.
- By Detecting for the Antigens in the body for the presence of Influenze A and B Virus, this tests can be used to distinguish between the type A and Type B.