Swine Flu Back Again

New Delhi: The infamous “Swine Flu” or the H1N1 Virus that infected 42,592 people in 2015, out of which it claimed the lives of 3,000 people, is back again. According to a disclosure by Health Minister, J.P. Nadda in the Rajya Sabha at least 600 people have died due to swine flu as of July, 2017.

Recently, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao were also down with swine flu. It was revealed on Twitter by a senior journalist that Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao couldn't attend the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup as the duo was down with swine flu.

As both have contracted Swine Flu, the couple speaks about their battle with the H1N1 virus via video conference at the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup event.

Their video on Sunday has brought the focus back on swine flu. Maharashtra is the state which managed to control the outbreak last year but hasn't been so successful this year.Till date, swine flu has infected over 3,500 people in Maharashtra and killed 366. That's above 50 per cent of the 600 deaths across the country.

However, it’s surprising to see such a high death toll in 2017 since the total number of deaths reported in 2016 were as low as 265.

Where many were wishing the duo-a speedy recovery, let’s just know- what it is?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in a barking cough, decreased appetite, nasal secretions, and listless behavior.

It originated in pigs but despite the name you can’t catch swine flu from eating bacon, ham, or any other pork product because the transmission occurs not from animals to person but spread primarily from person to person by sneezing, coughing and touching a germ-covered surface & then touching their eyes or nose.

Swine flu made headlines in 2009 when it was first discovered in humans and became a pandemic (contagious diseases affecting people throughout the world or on multiple continents at the same time). The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the H1N1 pandemic over in August 2010. Since then, the H1N1 virus has been known as a regular human flu virus.

Like other strains of the flu, H1N1 is highly contagious, allowing it to spread quickly from person to person. A simple sneeze can cause thousands of germs to spread through the air.

Today, risk factors for getting swine flu are the same as for any other strain of the flu.But, some people are at higher risk for becoming seriously ill if they’re infected with swine flu. They include:

• adults over age 65

• children under 5 years old

• young adults and children under age 19 who are receiving long-term aspirin (Bufferin) therapy

• people with compromised immune systems (due to a disease such as AIDS)

• pregnant women

• people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or neuromuscular disease

The symptoms:

Swine flu is very much like those of regular influenza, its symptoms include: Fever, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting etc.

So, if you have these symptoms then call your doctor because swine flu can lead to more serious problems including pneumonia, a lung infection, and other breathing problems. Also it can make an illness like diabetes or asthma even worse.

Best means of dealing with swine flu:

While swine flu isn't as scary as it seemed a few years ago, it's still important to protect yourself from getting it.

• Flu vaccinationdrugs-Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir (Relenza) seem to work best, although some kinds of swine flu don’t respond to oseltamivir.These drugs can help you get well faster if taken within 48 hours of the first flu symptoms, although they can help even if you get them later on but slowly.

• If you are infected try avoid taking antibiotics as they won't do anything for you because flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria. And try to stay at home as much possible because Home isolation cuts the chain of transmission of viruses like H1N1.

• Try to stay away from sick people, try to wash hands frequently with soap or hand sanitizer. Also, avoid touching nose, eyes or mouth.

Other than that there are few home remedies to tackle a flu virus of any kind, including swine flu.

• Tulsi Leaves (known as Basil in English; medicinal name Ocimum sanctum): Have five duly washed leaves every day in the morning.It keeps throat and lungs clear by strengthening your immunity and has a large number of therapeutic properties.

• One must have two pods of raw garlic first thing in the morning. To be swallowed daily with lukewarm water. Garlic too strengthens immunity like the earlier measures mentioned.

• Aloe vera’s (gwarpatha) thick and long, cactus-like leaves have an odourless gel. A teaspoon of gel taken with water daily can work wonders for not only your skin and joint pains, but also boost immunity.

• A small piece of camphor (kapoor) approximately the size of a tablet should be taken once or twice a month.

• Last but not the least; Do Pranayam daily, Have citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich and lukewarm milk every night with a small measure of haldi (turmeric).

Even, Dr. Yogesh Mittal from Gurgaon says, “Treating swine flu viruses from drugs are often reserved for people who are at higher risk for complications from the flu but people who are generally healthy and get swine flu will be able to fight the infection on their own by taking plenty of rest, drinking as much possible water as one can, and taking counter pain relievers for headache and cough.”

Lastly, it is also important to follow public health recommendations that may come from the CDC, WHO, National Institutes of Health, or other governmental public health institutions.

References:

WELLNESS

Swine Flu Back Again

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