Swine Flu

Swine Flu

Year 2009, when the first reported cases of A/H1N1 swine flu made global headlines; it was

believed that this influenza emerged from Mexico. However, evidence proved futile to materialize and
to confirm it as a Mexican origin. Then a new theory evolved which reported that the A/H1N1 virus
originated in Asia. Whatever may be the case, but the matter of the fact is that the world came to
know about this flu which is widely called swine flu.
What is a swine flu?
Swine flu is a kind of a respiratory disease
which is common in pigs. The H1NI virus is
however not a strain which has been seen in the
swine. The H1NI virus is a combination of different
viruses. It’s a mixture of the swine flu, the bird flu
and the kind of flu common during the winter
months and the fall, seen among the people in
Northern America. As it is a combination of
different flu viruses, the H1N1 flu is much harder
to treat.
Typical flu viruses include the potential to kill
more than 350000 victims. Season after season
this disease seems to appear, sometimes
showing mild symptoms and sometimes severe.
This disease appears to infect more of pregnant
women and young adults.
Swine Flu Symptoms
One of the common symptoms of a swine flu disease is high fever. A victim will suffer from very
high body temperature due to fever. Usually, young children found to be the victims of swine flu tend
to report higher fevers than the young adults. In either case, high fever is reported. When the high
fever is reported in adults, they can also have a high body temperature.
Another symptom of swine flu is coughing. The H1N1 flu virus causes many other cases of the upper
respiratory problems. Aching, sore muscles and fatigue are some of the other symptoms of this
illness. Some of the victims of swine flu may have stomach upset and associated problems like
vomiting, diarrhea and nausea.
Between 1918 and 1919, medical facts reveal that a similar kind of a disease had killed nearly 50
million people. Due to the lack of modern medical system and care at that time, the spread of the
disease couldn’t be prevented.
With the modern technology and general awareness, the H1N1 virus can be best taken care of.
Today, there is a huge diversity of medications present on the market to treat the swine flu victims. If
caught in the initial stages, most of the cases can be treated properly with the patient having to
experience the minimum discomfort.

Swine Flu Vaccine in India
Launched against H1N1 influenza virus which feared whole world with its increasing death rates.
This Swine Flu Vaccine unveiled with health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Swine Flu Vaccine created
by Zydus Cadilla from an H1N1 strain given by WHO, the single-shot vaccine called Vaxiflu-S will
cost a maximum of Rs 350.
H1N1 swine flu has killed more than 18,000 people and affected some 214 countries since the
virus emerged in Mexico and the US in April 2009. In India, over 1,500 have died.
Cadilla is ready with 4.5 lakh doses of the vaccine but it will only be given by chemists against
prescription. However, Cadilla’s vaccine has some limitations as of now. It can only be used by
people aged between 18-60 and can’t be used on small children or pregnant women who are believed
to be at high risk of getting infected.
The Swine Flu Vaccine, with a shelf life of a year from date of manufacture, will provide protection
only for one year. Also, the inactivated vaccine is egg-based and cannot be used by those allergic to
eggs.
However, the Swine Flu Vaccine has been found to be effective and safe with minor side-effects.
Three other Indian companies are also ready with their indigenous swine flu vaccines. Punebased
Serum Institute of India (SII) has developed an H1N1 vaccine in the form of a nasal spray, which
can be used by anybody above the age of three except pregnant women.
Azad said, “Serum’s vaccines should be available by end of June 2010 while Bharat Biotech (Hyderabad) and Panacea (Delhi) will be out with their versions by July and August respectively. Once
all these vaccines are in the market. Simple tip for swine flu prevention – Swine Flu prevention through
N95 Mask.

Symptoms of Swine Flu in India :
1. Feeling Chilly
2. Runny nose
3. Sneezing
4. Cough
5. Headache
6. Fever
7. Loss of appetite
8. Body Aches
9. Nausea and vomiting
10. Throat irritation
11. Fatigue
12. Diarrhea
13. Symptoms related to pneumonia (In people with chronic conditions, pneumonia may develop)
World Health Organization
The WHO has raised the Influenza Pandemic Alert to the highest level which is 6. Already India
has seen over 40 confirmed cases of Swine Flu and the threat of a full blown epidemic in India is very
real. The best we citizens can do is keep ourselves informed about the happenings and the steps we
can take to prevent the spread of the flu. With most of the affected people fitting the profile of a person
with internet access, we believe the internet is the first place that people would come looking for
information like symptoms, who to contact etc. Swine Flu India is an attempt to bring all the necessary
information in one place. India cannot afford to fall sick. Keep yourself and others informed.
Some Vital Statistics
Total Confirmed Cases in India 38730
Total Deaths in India 2024
Total Confirmed Cases Worldwide Over 622482
Total Deaths Worldwide At least 18366
Last Updated Date and Time 04/06/2010 02:28 IST