Causes, symptoms, prevention of swine flu: All you need to know about the disease

Eight people succumbed to H1N1 virus in two days, taking the total number of deaths due to swine flu in Rajasthan to 70, an official said on Saturday. Five persons died on Friday and three died on Saturday, according to the spokesperson of the state medical and health department. As many as 1,787 people have tested positive for the virus from January 1 to 26 in the state, the spokesperson said. With the rise in swine flu cases in Rajasthan, it has become important to understand what are the causes and symptoms of the disease that is so commonplace now. Also, the ways to tackle and prevent it from occurring are also important to be discussed. 

Causes of swine flu (H1N1):

Swine flu is caused by the influenza virus that mostly infects the pigs. The transmission of virus takes place from person to person and not from animal to person. Swine flu is a contagious disease and can be spread through mucus and saliva particles. H1N1 virus spreads when an individual touched an infected or breathes droplets of coughs and sneezes that are in the air.

Diagnosis:

Doctors can easily detect swine flu by conducting certain tests including your body fluids. The fluid may be taken through your nose or throat and is analysed using various genetic and laboratory techniques. 

Common symptoms:

• Fever, cough, headache, diarrhoea, vomiting and malaise. 
• Children usually just have two symptoms – cough and fever. 
• Infants may just have a fever. They may not have a cough or other respiratory problems. 
• Severe symptoms in young kids and infants may include; dyspnea, apnea, tachypnea, cyanosis, irritability and dehydration. 

Children, old people at greater risk:

• Children less than 5 years old and adults more than 65 years old are more susceptible to the infection.
• Also, patients with chronic pulmonary condition, cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neuromuscular and muscular disorder are also at risk. 
• HIV patients, pregnant women, obese adults, people having immune system suppressant are at risk, too. 

Prevention is better than cure:

• Whenever you cough or sneeze you should always keep your hand on the face or cover your face. This will not transfer the germs to your hands and then to every object you touch. Even a flu mask can help to avoid the infection in enclosed spaces.
• Constantly washing hands can help avoid swine flu.
•  Make sure you wash your fruits and vegetables with water. You can even soak them in water for greater effectiveness.
• Avoid going to crowded places. Even if you go to crowded places, you can wear a flu mask.
• Get to a doctor immediately if you develop the common symptoms of swine flu. 
• Carry a hand sanitizer with you. Always use a hand sanitizer when you shake hands with someone or touch the door's handle, keyboard or someone's table.

(With inputs from agencies)