Swine influenza was first identified in 1930 as a normal but sometimes fatal respiratory disease in pigs, which is caused by a type A influenza virus. As pigs can carry more than one virus at a time it has been found that new viral strains can become apparent and can cross the species barrier to humans. Swine flu, which is now being called Influenza A H1N1, has become a threat because the virus is contagious and can easily spread from human to human. Just like the spread of typical flu, swine flu is spread person to person usually from coughing or sneezing. Although it is also spread from touching a surface containing the flu virus and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

The signs and symptoms are very similar to those of the regular flu and can include:

Sore Throat

Cough

Fever

Headache

Body Aches

Chills and Fatigue

The most telling signs of being infected with swine flu are confusion, sudden dizziness or severe, unrelenting vomiting but most importantly are difficulty in breathing. It's these particular symptoms that make medical attention a very urgent matter.

The virus, which originated in Mexico, was particularly potent in that country due to the possible origin of the strain. According to the environmental organization GRAIN, a giant pig farm that raised almost a million pigs a year was reported to have been in appalling condition. Locals stated that a terrible disgusting odor permeated the area as well as swarms of flies which led to about 60 per cent of the district suffering from serious respiratory disease.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agency recommends the use of the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. These both work by stopping the virus from reproducing in the body. They can also help by alleviating symptoms and help people recover more quickly but will by no means be able to contain the spread of the disease.

The wearing of face masks to help stop the spread of swine flu has been considered to be one of the main target areas to be considered. Health experts have realized that the global outbreak of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) of 2003, where cities were armed with face masks as well as scrupulous hygiene practices had the unexpected side effect of reducing influenza rates in all of the most infected cities.

But without going to the lengths of wearing a surgical mask all of the time the best alternative is to be aware of how to protect yourself from either spreading the virus or from actively contracting it.

Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough and use tissues that can be disposed of immediately in a bin.

Keep your hands clean by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based wash which will effectively kill the virus.

Keep tables, fridge doors, door knobs and work surfaces clean with detergent and water especially if someone in the household has flu.

Like many virus's that spread around the world swine flu will pose more of a problem to the most vulnerable members of society. Pregnant women, the elderly, the very young, anyone suffering from a weakened immunity system or have cardiac problems are all at risk of succumbing to the virus.

Being ever vigilant about hygiene and keeping up to date with the latest news about swine influenza can go a long way in protecting ourselves, but the threat of a pandemic still hangs heavy and complacency is where the real killer could be.

Learn more about this author, Davina Lennon.
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