Understanding and Identifying Swine Flu Symptoms
Swine flu is a contagious respiratory disease that emerged in Mexico in 2009 and quickly spread to other countries. This led to a pandemic that ended in 2010. Since then, the virus has continued to infect humans. The swine flu symptoms are similar to seasonal flu; hence, one must be cautious if one lives in an area hit by the H1N1 strain.
What is Swine Flu?
Swine flu (H1N1) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the H1N1 virus. This virus is a Type A influenza virus strain that usually affects pigs. It was first identified in pigs, but it can affect humans, too, if they come in close contact with the infected pigs. Swine flu can cause mild to severe illness in humans, but the seasonal flu vaccine can also prevent Swine Flu infections.
Swine Flu Symptoms
The H1N1 virus is an influenza virus that can cause mild to severe illness in humans. Depending on the stage of infection, the Swine Flu symptoms are as follows:
Early Symptoms of Swine Flu: The first symptoms a patient may notice after infection. Early symptoms of swine flu are as follows:
● Fever
● Sore throat
● Cough
● Body aches
● Fatigue
● Headache
Common Symptoms: These are the symptoms that are usually observed in people infected with the H1N1 virus. The typical A H1N1 virus symptoms are:
● Runny or stuffy nose
● Chills
● Nausea and vomiting
● Diarrhea
● Fever
● Sore throat
● Body aches
Severe Symptoms of Swine Flu: These symptoms indicate serious complications in the illness, and one must seek immediate medical attention on the onset of these symptoms:
● Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
● Chest pain
● Confusion or dizziness
● Severe or persistent vomiting
● Seizures
● Bluish lips or face
● Severe muscle pain
It is important to note that not everyone with swine flu will experience all the H1N1 symptoms, and some people may have only mild symptoms. Swine flu can sometimes lead to serious health complications, such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, and even death.
Swine Flu Diagnosis
Swine Flu has common flu-like symptoms, so one needs to be thoroughly diagnosed for the actual infection. If you suspect that you or someone you know has swine flu, it is essential to seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor may perform a diagnosis based on the following:
1. Physical exam:
● Checking your temperature: A fever is a common H1N1 virus symptom, so your doctor will check your temperature using a thermometer.
● Listening to your lungs: Swine flu can cause respiratory problems, so your doctor may use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs and check for any abnormalities.
● Examining your throat: Your throat can be examined for redness or swelling.
If your doctor suspects you have swine flu, he may recommend a laboratory test to confirm the diagnosis.
2. Laboratory Tests:
The laboratory tests used to diagnose swine flu (H1N1 influenza) may vary depending on the severity of the illness and the availability of testing resources. However, the most commonly used tests for diagnosing swine flu are:
● Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs): These tests detect the presence of influenza A and B viruses in a respiratory specimen. It is done by taking a sample of mucus from the nose and throat. It provides quick results but is not always accurate. RT-PCR is a more precise test.
● Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR): This test detects the presence of viral RNA in a respiratory specimen, such as a nasal swab or throat swab. It is the most sensitive and specific test for diagnosing swine flu and can provide results within a few hours.
It is important to note that laboratory testing is not always necessary for diagnosing swine flu, and treatment may be initiated based on clinical symptoms alone. However, laboratory testing can help confirm the diagnosis and monitor the spread of the Swine Flu virus.
Swine Flu Treatment
Like any other flu treatment, swine flu treatment is also aimed at relieving the symptoms. The treatment includes medicines and supportive care.
● Antiviral Medications: These medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) [i] and zanamivir (Relenza), can help reduce the severity and duration of the illness if taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. It is usually prescribed by the doctor to patients who are in the high-risk category.
● Over-the-counter medications: Pain relievers can help relieve headaches and muscle aches. You could also consider taking certain over-the-counter medicines to reduce the fever.
● Fluids and rest: Stay hydrated with water, juice, or soup. Also, take plenty of rest to help your body fight against the infection.
● Use a humidifier or Vaporizer: Humidifiers can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with swine flu, such as dry cough and sore throat, by increasing the moisture in the air.
Prevention Strategies for Swine Flu
Swine Flu is highly contagious and can cause profound health implications. Swine flu prevention is critical to protect your health and prevent an outbreak of a pandemic. Here are some steps you can take to prevent swine flu:
1. Annual Flu Vaccination: The best way to prevent swine flu is to get vaccinated. The flu vaccine should be taken every year, and the latest vaccine has included the H1N1 strain to fight against Swine Flu. It is recommended for everyone above the age of six months.
2. Follow Good Hygiene Practices: Maintaining hygiene to prevent swine flu infection is imperative. A few tips for it are:
o Wash your hands: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing, before eating or preparing food, and after being in public places. In the absence of water, use sanitisers like Dettol Hand Sanitizers. More information on sanitisers and their uses is available here.
Cover your mouth and nose: When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow to prevent the spread of germs.
Clean and disinfect: Get in the habit of regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects, such as doorknobs, keyboards, and phones, to reduce the spread of germs. Use a good quality disinfectant like Dettol Liquid Disinfectant to kill and remove the germs from the surfaces.
1. Maintain Distance: Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick to avoid getting infected.
2. Practice good health habits: Get plenty of rest, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet to boost your immune system and reduce your risk of getting sick.
3. Stay Home: If you develop the initial symptoms of swine flu, isolate yourself and stay home. For more information on how to prevent infection, click here.
Raising Awareness About Swine Flu
H1N1 symptoms are fever, cough, throat infection, headaches etc. Most patients exhibit mild symptoms and recover, but others may experience severe swine flu symptoms too. To avoid any health complications, it is necessary to seek medical attention. The immediate step would be to take antiviral medicines only on recommendation of doctor and monitor your symptoms consistently to avoid respiratory failure and prevent the spread of the disease to others.
Also, raising awareness about swine flu is critical to preventing its spread. Educating people about the virus and its prevention can help keep your community safe and healthy.
