Swine Flu Symptoms and Prevention
In the past couple of weeks, fear of swine flu pandemic has spread in America and Mexico. Swine flu virus infects pigs as well as humans. It attacks the respiratory system. The current swine flue menace is attributable to influenza A or H1N1 virus, which has not been detected earlier in North America.
Symptoms of Swine Flu
Since the influenza virus affects the respiratory system, the symptoms of the infection are fever, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion and runny nose, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, fatigue, chill, muscle pain and shortness of breath. Sometimes these symptoms can occur without fever. A patient might show some or several of these symptoms. In worst circumstances, pneumonia and respiratory failure might cause death.
Swine Flue Prevention
Swine flue is an extremely infectious disease. It spreads through sneezing and coughing, when a person is exposed to the infected body fluid. However, contrary to popular belief the infection is not caused by coming in contact with a pig or by eating pork.
Regular hygiene should be followed to prevent spread of the disease. If you are suffering from influenza symptoms, while coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with tissue and after using it throw it in trash bin. Do not touch your nose and mouth with bare hands. Always use soap or alcohol based hand gel to wash your hands. Avoid crowded places, as the chances of spreading germs are greatest here.
Owing to the infectious nature of the disease, a patient should stay at home in voluntary isolation for at least a week. If the symptoms of the illness remain after a week, the risk of spreading infection increases, until the ailment is completely cured. If the patient is not hospitalized, he/she should be confined in a single room. The utensils used by the patient should be properly washed with soap and water.
If it is pertinent to meet a person suffering from swine flue, it is recommended that you should stay at least six feet away from the patient. You should cover your mouth and nose with protective mask, such as a disposable N95 respirator or a surgical mask.
