The swine flu strikes again as more and more people are testing positive for the virus, particularly across India. Every day, numerous articles arise in both Internet sites and printed newspapers regarding swine flu symptoms, statistics and treatments. Here is a top of the 10 most important facts you should know about this disease.

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1. Swine flu, also known as H1N1 type A influenza, is transmitted from people to people and NOT from pigs or swines to people.

2. Individuals with good immunity are not at risk of contracting the virus.

3. High-risk categories include very young children, pregnant women, diabetics, individuals with heart conditions, and people whose immune systems may be weak or compromised.

4. The most common swine flu symptoms include sudden fever of more than 100 F degrees, fatigue, cough, sneezing, chills, headaches, sore throat, sore muscles, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.

5. The swine flu symptoms are very similar to those of a regular flu, so one cannot know for sure if s/he is suffering from influenza. However, if an individual has very high fever for more than two days and also presents sudden breathlessness, it is very important to contact the doctor as soon as possible.

6. Individuals who already have high fever should stay at home in order to prevent the disease from spreading. Other preventive measures include covering the face while coughing and sneezing, avoiding touching the face, nose and eyes, and washing the hands regularly.

7. Besides maintaining a proper immune system, there are other ways of preventing swine flu. These include eating healthy foods, getting good sleep, and avoiding stress. It is also better to avoid crowded places. If visiting public crowded places is a must, make sure to wash both the hands and feet well, or simply take a shower.

8. There are certain injectable vaccines against swine flu that are said to prevent the disease. However, the Government has ruled out universal vaccination for now and has recommended that those vaccines should be used only by people who are actively treating swine flu patients – that is, doctors and other healthcare practitioners.

9. Swine flu can only be diagnosed properly in a laboratory, by identifying the particular antigens associated with the virus type. Generally, this test is done is specialized laboratories alone, and not in doctors’ offices or hospital laboratories. However, doctors’ offices are able to send specimens to specialized laboratories if necessary.

10. Certain antiviral drugs which help treat swine flu are also available. However, one should only take these meds with a doctor’s prescription. The patient will also need to be hospitalized, isolated, and even put on ventilation in severe cases. Remember that indiscriminate use of medication against swine flu could lead to resistance to the virus.

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These are the most important facts you should know about swine flu, since they cover everything that has to do with the virus: transmission, symptoms, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Unfortunately for the population, not having the swine flu vaccine might prove to be quite dangerous, while having it might have similar effects. Apparently, this controversial vaccine may have major side effects that could affect the health of those that agree to do it. Moreover to this, many people might even be rejected on having the shot because of the risks they would submit to. The swine flu vaccine clearly wasn’t tested enough because of the short time in which he was created and launched on the market. 

In present, Tamiflu is not mandatory (with small exceptions in a few states on the whole globe). But the worst thing to hear is that not even scientists, researchers, doctors or nurses want to have the vaccine. Tamiflu did not had enough testing and although it is similar to a vaccine created against flu in the 1970s it is not considered safe in present.

In the next video you can see the opinion of a journalist who made a thorough research on the topic in 2009 in order to have a clear idea on the links between the swine flu pandemic, the vaccine and the side effects this can have.

There are a few regular side effects of the vaccine, things that are normal to happen but don’t have connection to the major serious effects of Tamiflu and that should not raise concerns if encountered:

• head and muscular aches;
• fatigue;
• nausea;
• fever;
• swelling and redness on the area of the shot.

To avoid these and worse negative effects of the vaccine, people with egg allergy and with the Guillan Barre Syndrome are not allowed to have it.

The problem is that it is still not sure if the vaccine is generally safe for people to have and the medical community is split into two teams, while regular people don’t know what is best for them after hearing so many different opinions.

Swine flu is a terrible respiratory disease caused by a series of virus trains that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in nasal secretions, a barking cough, decreased appetite and listless behaviour. Swine flu viruses may mutate so that they are easily transmissible among humans. The 2009 swine flu outbreak is due to infection with the so-called H1N1 virus and was first observed in Mexico.

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The symptoms of the swine flu in humans are similar to most influenza infections: fever, cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, and headache. Researchers and doctors have come up with two antiviral agents: zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu), that have been reported to help prevent or reduce the effects of swine flu if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Even though specialists have said that the virus infestation is no longer that cruel, there is a new type of swine flu has infected at least 145 people, mostly children, since July 12. This is a worrisome situation the nation is going through.

CDC’s Dr. Joseph Breese said that there is a constant increase of swine flu cases. People have contracted this virus after contact with pigs at county fairs. So far, most of the cases have been mild. Only two people have been hospitalised this years and there were no reported cases of deaths.

Here are some facts about this new type of flu.

How Do People Catch This Virus?

This year, human cases have occurred after exposure to infected pigs, the CDC reported. When a pig sneezes or coughs, it spews virus-infected droplets into the air and onto surfaces that can find their way to people.

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H3N2v has mostly spread at agricultural fairs, which are common for this time of year. They offer prime conditions, said Richard Webby, a flu researcher at St.Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. At these fairs, there are many unvaccinated pigs which “help” spread the virus faster.

What is the Age Group Prone to Swine Flu Virus?

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More often than not, children are the ones prone to getting the swine flue virus. Farmers bring pigs to agricultural fairs and care for the animals. Thus, they have a higher resistance to the virus, due to their stronger immune system. At the slightest flu symptom, parents should take their children to visit the doctor. About 30% of U.S. adults seem to have antibodies that protect against H3N2v. This is probably due to the fact the H3N2 virus circulated in humans in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Why is This Type of Virus Different from N1H1?

Even if patients took the shot against the N1H1, this strain is different from the previous one. H2N2v is more closely related to a strain of swine flue that was common in humans around 1995. However, it is highly important people get the flu shot this fall.

People at high risk of complications from flu, including the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, might want to avoid any contact with fair pigs altogether, the CDC recommended.

In 2009, swine flu has created a real pandemonium among many people around the world. Doctors and specialists have come up with a specially designed vaccine that kept the virus under control, not letting to spread in the whole body. The swine flu H1N1 vaccine was shipped in the United States and in other nations that desperately needed it. The swine flu or H1N1 flu could not be resisted by taking the seasonal flu vaccine. Here are some of the main risks and side effects associated with taking the swine flu or H1N1 vaccine.

Recommendations for Taking the H1N1 Vaccine

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The Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices that there are certain high risk groups that need the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine, including all children from 6 months through 18 years of age. Also included in these recommendations for the swine flu vaccine are:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

Nasal vs Injectable Swine Flu Vaccines

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Since there are two virus roots, there are also two types of H1N1 treatment methods. The traditional flu shot contains proteins separated from the flu virus. Those proteins cannot cause illness. Your immune system learns to recognise them and mounts a protective reaction if a real live flu virus tries to infect you.

The nasal spray functions a bit differently. It contains a live flu virus that has been weakened to the point where it cannot cause flu anymore. Although it is pretty scary, millions of people have taken the vaccine and have not experienced any serious side-effects. The advantage of the nasal spray is that in children who have never had the flu or a flu vaccine before, it seems to elicit a stronger immune response than the flu shot.

Swine Flu Vaccine Side Effects

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According to doctors, the vaccine is very safe. However, there are some side effects, since the vaccine is still new and it takes time for the body to get used to the active substances in it. Some of the side effects include:

• mild fever
• muscle aches
• nausea
• headache
• fainting, especially in adolescents
• soreness, redness, or swelling at the injections site
• runny nose or congestion, especially if the nasal spray flu vaccine is used

Other Things to Know About H1N1

• As of December 2010, more than 76 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine had been shipped to doctors and clinics.
• As with the seasonal flu vaccine, children who are allergic to eggs should not routinely get the the swine flu vaccine, especially if they have a severe allergy.
• You can get only one of the two types of swine flu vaccines at a time. Do not combine both the flu shot and the swine flu nasal spray.

All diseases, regardless of their types are easier to overcome when diagnosed soon after being formed. Even though a flu is not commonly considered to be a life threatening condition, if you start a treatment as soon as you feel the first symptoms, a cure will be easier to achieve. Swine flu has at first similar symptoms to the ones of seasonal flu, aspect which make it harder to diagnose. The H1N1 swine flu virus was first traced in the United States in April 2009. Even though there have been no new cases diagnosed since its outbreak, the disease has never been eradicated. Being careful at swine flu symptoms may be really important in seeking medical care as soon as possible. Some of the most common such symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting can also be symptoms of the condition.

One of the best methods to diagnose the disease is taking a RT-PCR test. This is considered to be the best method which allows people to receive a proper diagnoses right after being infected with the virus. The test can also make the difference between swine flu and seasonal flu. Getting this test is even more important in case patients also suffer of a serious illness which has affected their immune systems, including here conditions such as cancer. Pregnant women should also be tested immediately after experiencing one of the symptoms aforementioned, as in case they are not diagnosed properly to receive the right treatment, a series of complications can easily be formed. When the condition suddenly gets worse, seeing a doctor is a must, as well as in the cases in which patients do not feel better after around 5 days of treatment.

Children and people suffering of other conditions which have already weakened their immune systems are more likely to form complications. Patients who have underwent an asthma treatment, people aged over 65 and children under five, also are considered to be at risk. However, individuals who have a chronic lung disease, heart or kidney, as well as liver disease, should be extra careful at swine flu symptoms to get an early diagnosis and start a treatment as soon as possible. Otherwise the disease can actually become a life threatening one. Monitoring the evolution of each patient to determine if the treatment is working properly is a must, too.

Swine flu is a serious disease that has to be seriously taken into consideration as it can be very dangerous. Swine flu symptoms are very similar to human flu symptoms, so people are confused and they don’t even know that they suffer from this disease. In case you may experience something that is similar to human flu, but the symptoms are getting worse, the best thing that you should do is to go to the doctor immediately or even to the emergency room where you will be tested and will find the results soon. Nonetheless, it’s important to know the similarities between the two types of flu and be consulted by a doctor to be sure that everything is fine.

Additionally, there are some tests that may show a misleading result even though you suffer indeed from swine flu. This is why any doctor has to use several types of testing methods to ensure he will find what you suffer from. Swine flu can be easily cured, but in case you didn’t go to the doctor very soon, the symptoms will be more severe and there will emerge complications. Some people even died, so don’t wait too long as a medical check-up can save your life. Technology and science have developed, so there are advanced diagnose and treatment methods that will help you. You can prevent a lot of complications from happening if you will go to the doctor as soon as you have human flu symptoms, but which can actually be swine flu. 

The latest swine flu testing uses copies of genes, saliva, as well as blood samples. The most exposed to risks are kids and the older people. Nevertheless, anyone has to go to the doctor as soon as possible in case they are confronted with something that could be swine flu symptoms. Many people died because they went to the hospital when it was already too late and there was nothing left to be done to save them. Your health is the most valuable thing you have, so in case you experience nausea, cough, fatigue, chills, fever, headaches, as well as muscular pain and breathing difficulties, you may suffer from swine flu. Under these circumstances, don’t postpone a visit to your doctor because this could save your life.

Swine flu is one of the most serious conditions that can be developed by really anyone nowadays. The reality is that this disease can cause fear, as in its initial phases, swine flu symptoms are similar with the ones of simple flu. This is the main reason why testing to receive the proper diagnosis as soon as the disease is formed is more important than people usually imagine. There is more than one method in which the disease can be diagnosed. Real time RT PCR is considered to be one of the best methods to trace the disease, also known as the H1N1 influenza.

This method of tracing the disease is so popular nowadays mostly because it can make the difference between regular flu and this type of disease. Vaccination remains however the best manner in which people can be sure that they will be able to avoid this hard to cure condition. So, it is always better to avoid than to cure and vaccination against swine flu is known to have the best effects from this point of view. Vaccination became a must in 2009, when the swine flue outbreak threatened the whole world. A rapid manner of testing patients to see if the disease they have formed is swine flue or not is the 30 minutes test. This test will provide accurate results as quick as half an hour and can easily be performed in a doctor’s office. The test supposes swiping the inside of the nose or back of the throat with the use of a nasal swab. This test is known under the name of the nasal wash. The results are known to be up to 70 percent valid, but the most important advantage of this test type is that is will take just a few minutes.

As already mentioned, swine flu symptoms are similar to the ones of influenza, including also severe headaches, weakness, general discomfort, but muscle pain and fever, too. Chills can also be experienced by patients who have developed this condition, as well as cough and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting are symptoms of swine flu, too. In case the disease is formed, diagnosing it and starting the most adequate treatment as soon as possible will be required. Antiviral drugs are able to help the patient improve his condition quicker, but a doctor will be the one recommending the right treatment for each case.

The swine flu symptoms are in present among the most feared signs of disease in the world. The swine flu symptoms are very alike to those of the regular flu, as this illness is an A H1N1 virus, similar to the one provoking influenza. Although the swine flu symptoms are similar and the viruses are alike, the major difference is that the body is not prepared to fight against this type of flu. As it has no immunity and it cannot be cured very easy, this flu can spread rapidly from person to person causing a major pandemic in the whole world. The news regarding the swine flu symptoms and the virus itself had a huge impact on the media, not to mention that most people panicked.

Although the swine flu symptoms must be taken very seriously, there is no need to panic, as this flu can be cured if the person having it goes directly to a doctor for a check immediately after noticing what kind of problems does he or she have. If you are the person that thinks it might have swine flu symptoms, there are some things that you should expect when experiencing them. The swine flu symptoms include fever, usually higher than in regular flu. In some rare cases, the fever was totally absent, making the diagnosis very hard to find. The usual symptoms that regular flu gives are also present as swine flu symptoms.

You might experience coughing, having a runny nose and a sore throat. These are classic swine flu symptoms, but not forget about the others that should make you go directly to see a doctor. These are the body aches and the head aches. If you also experience fatigue and you feel chills, you might really have swine flu symptoms. In some cases, patients experienced even vomiting and diarrhea. Even if these are common also in swine flu symptoms, these can be important swine flu symptoms, this is why it is better to keep an account of them. If you do not feel good, go to the emergency room and make sure you get treated right away.

Mostly in the winter, people get sick with flu. The important thing that you should take care of is to observe if the symptoms that you or those around you have are only of regular flu. Pay attention because in the last year many people presented swine flu symptoms and nobody realized it until it was too late. The swine flu symptoms are very similar to those of the regular flu, but the illness is much worse. If you want to know how to recognize the swine flu symptoms, you should read about them on the Internet. Online, you will find a lot of articles about the swine flu symptoms. Read them and learn to stay away of the horrible swine flu symptoms. Another important thing is to advise people that are showing swine flu symptoms to go directly to an emergency room to make sure they receive specialized treatment.

The swine flu symptoms are not quite identical to those of regular flu, as most imagine. This are similar, but worse. And you should be able to identify them in order to keep yourself out of jeopardy. If you recognize them as soon as possible in someone, you can stay away of that person. Of course, you should also talk to that person and tell him about this problem, but it is very important to take care of yourself, too. If you do not, you may get the disease that could spread rapidly into your family.

Read online about the swine flu symptoms and pay attention to them. Do not rely on the fact that anyone that has even mild swine flu symptoms will go immediately to the doctor. You may have the surprise to notice that many people would rather wait, hoping they can take care of themselves in their own home. When seeing someone with swine flu symptoms, you should advise that person to check in the emergency room and to ask for help. This is available also for you, as you might contract the swine flu without even realizing it. If you do and you recognize the swine flu symptoms, ask for medical treatment as soon as possible.