by Deanna Brownlee

Created on: May 12, 2009   Last Updated: May 19, 2009

First, there was seasonal flu. Then, there was avian flu. Now, there's a new flu in town, thanks to the farm-friendly, mud-bathing pig. Meet swine flu, the newest microscopic menace that could make you sick.

In 1930, scientists identified swine flu for the first time in a pig. Usually, swine influenza hops from hog to hog during the colder months, causing a lot of swine sickness but few farm fatalities.

Somewhere along the line, swine flu became a zoonose, or an illness that can spread from animal to human. Swine flu spreads much in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. People who are in direct contact with pigs are particularly susceptible, including those involved with farms, fairs, petting zoos and the pork industry. Fortunately, one cannot contract swine flu from properly cooked pork, so sausage is still safe and ham remains harmless.

In 1988, several Wisconsin residents contracted the disease from pigs, and the doctors and nurses who cared for them also had signs of the illness. That same year, one woman died of pneumonia, and authorities found swine flu in her system. Incidentally, prior to her hospitalization, she attended a pig show at the local fair. Most of those pigs had swine flu. In 1976, several soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey experienced the disease, and one case was even fatal. Today, the Centers for Disease Control sees about one new case every one to two years. The last 4 years, however, have seen a surprising twelve new cases of swine flu. As stated by the CDC, this may be due to "genetic changes in swine flu viruses."

Swine flu has symptoms that are similar to that of seasonal flu. According to the CDC, these symptoms "include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite . . . coughing . . . runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea." Physicians can confirm a diagnosis with laboratory tests of a respiratory sample. The preferred drugs of choice for the treatment of swine flu are Oseltamivir or Zanamivir. Physicians will often choose one of the two, as other medications may not respond to the newest strains. Caretakers can give preventative inoculations to their pigs to prevent the illness, but to date, there is no human vaccination against swine flu.

If nothing else, one could remember to simply utilize prevention, education and treatment. After coming into contact with pigs, people should avoid contact with the eyes, nose, mouth, and breaks in the skin. As further protection, people should also wash their hands thoroughly afterwards. If you feel that you are infected with swine flu, visit your healthcare provider without hesitation. Once you feel better, you may just be happier than a pig in mud.

Sources

Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, "Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)." CDC.gov. 23 Apr 09. CDC. 23 Apr 2009 <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/swine/key_facts.htm>.

DeNoon, Daniel J.. "Swine Flu FAQ." WebMD.com. 21 Apr 2009. 23 Apr 2009 <http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20090421/swin e-flu-faq?src=RSS_PUBLIC>.

Lucyin, "Zoonosis." Wikipedia.com. 16 Apr 09. 23 Apr 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoonosis>.

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