Swine Flu

Swine Flu
x
Highlights

Influenza, commonly known as \"the flu\", is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms include: a high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and feeling tired.

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe. The most common symptoms include: a high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and feeling tired.

Influenza viruses are small RNA viruses that infect many mammals, including humans, birds, and swine (RNA stands for ribonucleic acid. It is an important molecule with long chains of nucleotides. A nucleotide contains a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate. Just like DNA, RNA is vital for living beings).

Before 2009, swine influenza predominately affected swine and was not transmitted often or easily to people. Even in the isolated instances in which swine influenza infected people, it had very limited ability to spread from person to person. Most cases were directly linked to contact with swine through farming or at fairs. Since 2009, the interactions and understanding of the role of swine and flu viruses in human infections has been markedly changed, according to http://www.emedicinehealth.com.

There is currently no human vaccine for swine flu. Symptoms of swine flu include coughs, chills, and aches, similar to seasonal flu. There are only a few causes of swine flu in humans. They are: Contact with infected pigs - this is the most common way of catching swine flu. Any contact with infected pigs makes transmission more likely. Contact with infected humans - this is a much less common way of catching swine flu, but is a risk, especially for those in close contact with an infected person.

There are some drugs available that can effectively treat swine flu infection in humans as well as many other types of flu infections in humans. There are a number of steps that can be taken to help prevent the spread of swine flu: Washing hands regularly with soap; Getting plenty of sleep; Doing plenty of exercise; Managing stress; Drinking liquids; Eating a balanced diet; Refraining from touching surfaces that may have the virus; Do not get close to people who are sick; and, Stay away from crowds if there is a swine flu outbreak in your area, writes Christian Nordquist at www.medicalnewstoday.com.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS