What is swine flu?
Swine flu also known as H1N1 flu is a respiratory infection caused by H1N1 virus which affects the respiratory tract of pigs. It is deadly as in most of the cases the infected pig ultimately dies due to the virus. H1N1 virus is the most deadly virus as it is combination of swine flu, bird flu and human flu viruses. The infection is mostly found in pigs, but in few cases, human beings also get infected with this virus if they come in contact with the infected pig.
The symptoms of swine flu are same as in the case of any other viral flu or influenza and includes vomiting tendency, nausea, running noses, loss of apatite, fever, severe body-pain, sore-throat and cough. Besides person suffering from swine flu becomes tired of fatigue. The patient suffers with fever which may range from low to high grade. Generally it is found that young children suffer from high fever as compared to an adult. If it is detected at an early stage it can be cured easily as proper medical help and attention is provided to the patient. But in the advance stages it becomes quite difficult to control this disease as it may turn out to be fatal.
The world health organization (W.H.O.) has confirmed the swine flu as pandemic after seeing the wide outbreak of the cases throughout the world. Around 22 million cases of the US population were affected by influenza caused by H1N1 virus in the period of last six months. Out of them more than 100,000 patients were hospitalized and unfortunately 3900 patients lost their lives.
The test which is used for the detection of H1N1 virus is RETCIF or swine flu test. It is carried out by collecting sample as nasal swab from patient. The virus which is present in the sample is cultured and observed under a powerful fluorescent microscope. It detects the true level of infection present within the body. At present it is the most effective test which shows most accurate results for the test of swine flu virus.
Recently a new swine flu vaccine is available which is ready to use. It has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is highly effective against swine flu as its single dose produces sufficient antibodies which give protection against H1N1 viruses. Moreover anti-viral drugs prevent further infection from spreading within the body. Besides drugs like tamiflu and Relenza have been recommended by the U.S. centers for Disease Control and Prevention is very effective for the treatment and in prevention of further infection of H1N1 viruses.
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