Swine flu is also known as the H1N1 flu and a number of other names such as swine influenza, hog flu, pig flu etc. The swine flu virus is a strain of the influenza family of viruses that is predominantly endemic in pigs. The swine flu virus is common all over the world; however the transfer of the virus from pigs to humans is not so common and does not necessarily cause human influenza. This usually leads to the production of antibodies in the human blood stream. When such a transmission does create human influenza, it is known as zoonotic swine flu. Those people who are exposed to pigs more than others stand a higher chance of getting infected by swine flu. However the meat of a pig will not carry any virus with it once it has been well cooked. Symptoms of zootonic swine flu in human beings are like the symptoms of normal influenza faced by humans. Chills, fever, sore throat, headaches, coughing, muscle and joint pains are bound to be experienced if you do not only suffer from influenza but also swine flu. Thus the latter becomes tougher to diagnose.The main causes for the swine flu are identified and research work is carryion on for producing immunity for this disease.
During 1918, swine flu was first said to be a disease related to human influenza and this was understood when pigs and human beings grew sick together. However the first identification of an influenza stemming from diseases in pigs did not occur till at least ten years later. For the 60 years that followed, swine flue strains were mostly H1N1. Later newer strains of three different subtypes and five different genotypes were found to be the cause of swine flu among pigs in North America. Latest strains that have emerged show strains from humans, pigs and birds and these together form the fast spreading swine flu virus that if detected too late, causes the life of the victim to grow fatal.
The H1N1 version of swine flu is one of the strains that caused the 1918 flu pandemic. The descendants of this virus have been circulating among humans throughout the 20th century. This has worsened the condition of the normal seasonal epidemics of influenza that normally affect humans. However it is rare that the virus might get transferred from pigs to humans directly and only 12 such cases have been found in America. However if that is to imply that swine flu is less likely to affect humans, do not live in denial as it does not take much to restore its pandemic state. Though the outbreak of swine flu in pigs are common and its rarely found in humans, or at least studies said so, it is shocking how things seemed to have changed and tables have been turned in the latest swine flu pandemic. Many are falling victim to swine flu and each has to be very responsible and even more careful.
About the Author:
Author shares information on causes, symptoms, effects, risk factors, preventions, treatments, prognosis of diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart attack, obesity and also shares information on Men’s health, women’s health, sexual health, mental health, health and fitness, pregnancy, Blood disorders, Muscles, bones and joints, Health issues, and Weight loss.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Information about Swine Flu virus
Swine Flu: 2 Roomates Die, Mutated Stain?
