Swine flu is a highly infectious disease of the respiratory system which is common among pigs, thereby giving it the name " flu". The problem for us is that the flu does not remain confined to pigs alone and can be transmitted to humans. To add to our woes,flu is highly contagious due to which it can become pandemic in no time at all.
Causes of swine flu
Flu in humans is caused by the spread of H1N1 virus.
People who stay in close contact with pigs wither due to professional requirements (working at animal farms, pig breeding farms, etc.) or by choice (have pigs as pets or touch and/or stroke them at petting fairs and zoos) can get infected by the flu virus.
The strains of H1N1 virus can enter the body either by inhaling them directly or indirectly (touching surfaces and objects contaminated by the touch of a person carrying the H1N1 virus or droplet infection caused by inhaling the strains of the virus when an infected person sneezes or coughs).
Symptoms of swine flu
The symptoms of swine flu can take 3-5 days to appear completely, after inhaling the strains of H1N1 virus. The symptoms also show a marked variation in children and adults.
Swine flu symptoms in children
繚 Sore throat
繚 Uneasiness while drawing in breath
繚 Color of skin changing to grayish blue
繚 Lack of thirst
繚 Nausea which might or might not be accompanied by vomiting
繚 Diarrhea
繚 Fainting or not getting up from sleep
繚 Body ache, and general flu like symptoms
繚 A fever which subsides initially but then reoccurs with severe respiratory problems
Swine flu symptoms in adults
Symptoms of flu in adults are less pronounced as compared to children though that should not be taken to mean that they can be taken lightly.
繚 Sore throat
繚 Breathlessness and difficulty in breathing
繚 Uneasiness and pain in the chest and abdomen
繚 Nausea and vomiting
繚 Diarrhea
繚 Body ache
繚 Flu like symptoms and fever recurring after subsiding once with a very bad throat and complications of the respiratory tract.
How to prevent swine flu?
Since flu is a highly infectious disease, it is necessary to take prevent swine flu to keep the deadly virus at bay.Here is a list of some simple do's and don'ts which will help you prevent swine flu and keep yourself and others in the family safe:
Step # I: Segregate the person carrying the swine flu virus
繚 Allot the person carrying the virus a separate area in the home which should, preferably, be well lit, well ventilated and have an attached wash room. As far as possible, try to keep the door to this room closed.
繚 Ask the infected person to stay indoors and avoid venturing outside the home for fear of passing off the infection to others. Going out should be avoided till it is absolutely necessary to do so (like visiting the doctor).
繚 Ask the infected person to wear a surgical mask when he is in the common area of the house to avoid droplet infection.
Step #II: Protecting others in the family from swine flu
繚 Discourage visitors and ask them to inquire about the infected person's well-being over a phone call if they must do so.
繚 Take special care to keep any pregnant women from coming in contact with a person carrying the swine flu virus because they are at a higher risk of getting infected.
繚 Anyone who visits the room of the infected person must wash his hands with soap immediately even if he has not touched the patient because he might have touched objects which have been touched by the latter.
Step #III: Preventive measures for the caregiver
繚 Try avoiding coming close to the infected person's face.
繚 If a child in the family has been infected, hold him in a matter so that his chin rests on the shoulder to avoid face to face contact with him.
繚 Wash the hands thoroughly very time after visiting the infected person's room or handling his laundry, clothing, etc.
繚 Take preventive medicines if required after consulting your doctor to prevent infection.
Step #IV: Handling infected person's laundry, etc.
The caretaker has to exercise due caution while handling infected person's laundry and other waste to prevent infection from spreading.
繚 Do not hold the patient's clothes, laundry, etc. close to the chest and wash your hands after touching any of his items.
繚 Wash the patient's clothes, utensils, towels, bed linen, etc. separately, preferably using warm water.
繚 Clean all items that might have been contaminated by his touch like the taps in his wash room, the remote control to his television, the door knobs and handles, etc. at least once a day with an alcohol based disinfectant.
Following these simple instructions can help you prevent infection from spreading.
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