Swine Flu information – Keep yourself safe

Swine Flu is one of the latest dreaded diseases which has started showing its effects, and spreading on a high rate in India. Its an influenza virus of name H1N1 which is known to cause the disease, and with its effect in many other countries, its claimed 4 lives in India already(till 9th August, 2009), and there are many suspected cases.
It was first detected in April 2009, but in June the World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic(spreading across all the places around the world). Nothing much to say about the name, Swine Flu virus was just a suspected one the influenza viruses which caused the diseases in Swine(Pigs) in North America. Although, its not the same and this is a new strain of h1N1 which has not affected any human, or animal before.
Spread of the Swine Flu Disease:The H1N1 virus is contagious, and spreading easily from one human to other, through the easiest ways like Couging, sneezing from people who are already infected. It also spreads through skin-to-skin contact sometimes, because the virus is known to be found on the outer membrane of the affected people.
Signs and symptoms of Swine Flu:Every contagious disease has no much complications, but the simple conditions increase rapidly and are fatal(life claiming). Here are a few symptoms -
Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue
Some other symptoms are Diarrhoea and Vomitings but not all cases complained of that. Severe cases which could not be treated successfully, were victims of death due to Swine Flu.
Serious symptoms: That can easily suspect and are emergency cases:
Faster breathing or problems in breathing
Bluish or gray skin color – Due to blood infection
No proper appetite for food or fluids
Severe or persistent vomiting
Not waking up or not interacting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Prevention and Treatment:This is the most important part of the article, where i can explain how generally every contagious disease is prevented, and so is Swine Flu(Check WHO Precautions) -
Away from cough, sneeze – When someone sneezes or coughs, don’t ignore but just take maximum protection of yourself. Move some distance apart if the person sneezing is so ignorant and does not cover his mouth with something while sneezing. Facts say that Sneezing pushes out the micro-organisms due to allergy, in a very rapid speed and they are spread in all directions if not covered.
Wash your hands – Hands can reach anywhere, any wall, any surface where the virus might have landed due to the release from infected person, and before eating, wash your hands with soap for a couple minutes and Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. While using the soap, using warm water is very effective in getting cleaned in the best way.
Face masks, or something to cover mouth – Face mask is used generally in laboraties or clinics, and lately by the traffic policemen who try to avoid the pollution from automobiles, but usage is not limited to them. Its the best to cover yourself with Face masks, and change it regularly, so that the virus entry can be prevented. Although you might have touched your hands in contagious areas, still they can’t reach the mouth due to the mask.There are nose-tag and earloop masks available for very cheap, which can save lives.I read people saying “When there are few people dead due to Swine Flu, everyone needs a mouth mask. But millions die of AIDS and no one uses condoms!” > You guys might be true, but that’s people’s mistake. Why are going against the Swine Flu prevention in the statement? That statement just discourages usage of face mask!
Avoid direct contact – Hugging, or some other ways of contact of skins between normal and sick people should be avoided.
Usage of gloves – While cleaning shelves, wash basins etc. you usually keep your hands open without any cover, but using gloves is a better way for prevention of getting infected. Don’t expose your skin. There are packs of 100 gloves available for cheap. Use them while you are touching many uncleaned surfaces.
Stay at home, isolated – When you are not sick, and suspect someone around you with Swine Flu, if he is sick, then try to stay away to be safe from the disease. Also, if you are sick, stay away from others to keep them safe from any disease. Get yourself tested for Swine Flu.
Medications: Swine flu treatmentThere are a few medications that CDC recommends like Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). You need to first get yourself tested for the disease, and then the antiviral drugs are administered and prescribed by the doctors.
Getting tested:As of now, i have found these places in Mumbai, India where you can get tested for the Swine Flu infection -
Bhabha Hospital, Bandra
Rajawadi Hospital, Ghatkopar
Bhagwati Hospital, Borivli
M T Agarwal Hospital, Mulund
Siddharth Hospital, Goregaon

WHO precautions – Swine Flu Protection

World Health Organization had declared Swine Flu as a pandemic disease in June. Pandemic is an epidemic that is geographically widespread; occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world.And being air-borne, the risk of spread of Swine Flu has increased very much.
Here are a few tips and precautions given by WHO to keep yourself and others safe from Swine Flu H1N1 virus -
Cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Dispose off used tissues properly immediately after use.
Regularly wash hands with soap and water.
If you have flu-like symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
If you have flu-like symptoms, keep a distance of at least 1 meter from other people.
If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home from work, school or crowded places.
Avoid hugging, kissing and shaking hands when greeting.
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
These were the instructions given by WHO, but you can be more safer by usage of face masks, and gloves while touching any ill patient or any unhealthy places. Face masks are available in pharmacies generally, but if out of stock, you should visit any surgical instruments store to find it. Don’t worry about fashion when its matter of health. Wear face masks in any public places where there is excess crowd.
If you are ill, may that be flu-like or not, just try to stay isolated and avoid contact with other people. And contact your doctor and any authorized swine flu treatment hospital as soon as possible.
Also, when you visit any hospital to get tested for swine flu, use mouth mask and gloves and don’t touch any surfaces. Ensure that you are being tested with a new syringe.More tips will be shared soon.
Related Posts:

Authorized Swine Flu Treatment hospitals in India

Swine Flu when declared as Pandemic all over the world, measures had to be taken already but still people were late to realize about the disease, and government has finally set up a few authorized health centers to check for and treat Swine Flu, in India.
Here are the hospitals which were authorized for the same -
Mumbai
Kasturba Gandhi HospitalArthur Road, N M Joshi Marg, Jacob Circle, Mumbai – 11(022) 23083901, 23092458, 23004512
Haffkine InstituteAcharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai – 12(022) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962
Sir J J HospitalJ J Marg, Byculla, Mumbai – 08(022) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 2376840023731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366
Other hospitals in city -
Jaslok Hospital
Bombay Hospital
Breach Candy Hospital
Shushrusha Hospital
Hinduja Hospital
Saifee Hospital
Prince Ali Khan Hospital
H N Hospital
Western Suburb -
Lilavati Hospital
nanavati Hospital
Asian Heart Hospital
Holy Family Hospital
Holy Spirit Hospital
Reliance (Ambani) Hospital
Brahmakumari Hospital
Gurunanak Hospital
Eastern Suburb -
Hiranandani Hospital
Wockhardt Hospital
Inlak Hospital
Pune
National Institute of Virology20A Ambedkar Road, Pune – 11(020) 26006290
Naidu HospitalNr Le’Meridian, Raja Bahadur Mill, GPO, Pune – 01(020) 26058243
Delhi
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)Ansari Nagar, Aurobindo Marg Ring Road, New Delhi – 29(011) 26594404, 26861698 Prof. R C Deka – 9868397464
Vallabhai Patel Chest InstituteUniversity Enclave, New Delhi- 07(011) 27667102, 27667441, 27667667, 27666182
National Institute for Communicable Diseases22, Sham Nath Marg,New Delhi – 54(011) 23971272/060/344/524/449/326
Hyderabad
Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital,Erragadda, Hyderabad(040) 23814939
Kondapur Area Hospital
Vanasthalipuram area hospital
King koti general hospital
Could not find correct contact info about the above Hyderabad hospitals, but you can directly go there if nearby your area.
Vishakapatnam
Govt Chest Hospital, Peda waltair
Chennai
King Institute of Preventive Medicine (24/7 Service)Guindy, Chennai – 32(044) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522
Communicable Diseases HospitalThondiarpet, Chennai(044) 25912686/87/88, 9444459543
Government General HospitalOpp. Central Railway Station, Chennai – 03(044) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300
Kolkata
ID Hospital57,Beliaghata, Beliaghata Road, Kolkata – 10?(033) 23701252
Kochi
Government Medical CollegeGandhi Nagar P O, Kottayam – 08(0481) 2597311,2597312
Taluk HospitalRailway Station Road, Alwaye, Ernakulam(0484) 2624040 Sathyajit – 09847840051
Bangalore
Victoria HospitalK R Market, Kalasipalayam,Bangalore – 02(080) 26703294 Dr. Gangadhar – 94480-49863
SDS 26631923 Dr.Shivaraj 99801-48780
Coimbatore
ID Hospital – (033) 23701252
Ahmedabad
Civil HospitalAsarwa,Ahmedabad – 380 016 (Gujarat) INDIA.+91 79 22683721-31
I got this list built through help from friends on twitter, and some other news sites. Please comment if you get information about any other authorized hopitals for Swine Flu Treatment.

Swine influenza

Swine influenza (also called H1N1 flu, swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs.[2] As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.

Swine influenza virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood. If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses no risk of infection when properly cooked.
During the mid-20th century, identification of influenza subtypes became possible, allowing accurate diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, only 50 such transmissions have been confirmed. These strains of swine flu rarely pass from human to human. Symptoms of zoonotic swine flu in humans are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.

Classification

Of the three genera of influenza viruses that cause human flu, two also cause influenza in pigs, with influenza A being common in pigs and influenza C being rare. Influenza B has not been reported in pigs. Within influenza A and influenza C, the strains found in pigs and humans are largely distinct, although due to reassortment there have been transfers of genes among strains crossing swine, avian, and human species boundaries.

Influenza C
Influenza C viruses infect both humans and pigs, but do not infect birds. Transmission between pigs and humans have occurred in the past. For example, influenza C caused small outbreaks of a mild form of influenza amongst children in Japan and California. Due to its limited host range and the lack of genetic diversity in influenza C, this form of influenza does not cause pandemics in humans.

Influenza A
Swine influenza is known to be caused by influenza A subtypes H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. In pigs, three influenza A virus subtypes (H1N1, H3N2, and H1N2) are the most common strains worldwide. In the United States, the H1N1 subtype was exclusively prevalent among swine populations before 1998; however, since late August 1998, H3N2 subtypes have been isolated from pigs. As of 2004, H3N2 virus isolates in US swine and turkey stocks were triple reassortants, containing genes from human (HA, NA, and PB1), swine (NS, NP, and M), and avian (PB2 and PA) lineages.

Surveillance
Although there is no formal national surveillance system in the United States to determine what viruses are circulating in pigs, there is an informal surveillance network in the United States that is part of a world surveillance network.
Veterinary medical pathologist, Tracey McNamara, set up a national disease surveillance system in zoos because the zoos do active disease surveillance and many of the exotic animals housed there have broad susceptibilities. Many species fall below the radar of any federal agencies (including dogs, cats, pet prairie dogs, zoo animals, and urban wildlife), even though they may be important in the early detection of human disease outbreaks.

History
Swine influenza was first proposed to be a disease related to human influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic, when pigs became sick at the same time as humans.[16] The first identification of an influenza virus as a cause of disease in pigs occurred about ten years later, in 1930.[17] For the following 60 years, swine influenza strains were almost exclusively H1N1. Then, between 1997 and 2002, new strains of three different subtypes and five different genotypes emerged as causes of influenza among pigs in North America. In 1997-1998, H3N2 strains emerged. These strains, which include genes derived by reassortment from human, swine and avian viruses, have become a major cause of swine influenza in North America. Reassortment between H1N1 and H3N2 produced H1N2. In 1999 in Canada, a strain of H4N6 crossed the species barrier from birds to pigs, but was contained on a single farm.
The H1N1 form of swine flu is one of the descendants of the strain that caused the 1918 flu pandemic. As well as persisting in pigs, the descendants of the 1918 virus have also circulated in humans through the 20th century, contributing to the normal seasonal epidemics of influenza. However, direct transmission from pigs to humans is rare, with only 12 cases in the U.S. since 2005. Nevertheless, the retention of influenza strains in pigs after these strains have disappeared from the human population might make pigs a reservoir where influenza viruses could persist, later emerging to reinfect humans once human immunity to these strains has waned.
Swine flu has been reported numerous times as a zoonosis in humans, usually with limited distribution, rarely with a widespread distribution. Outbreaks in swine are common and cause significant economic losses in industry, primarily by causing stunting and extended time to market. For example, this disease costs the British meat industry about £65 million every year

1918 pandemic in humans
The 1918 flu pandemic in humans was associated with H1N1 and influenza appearing in pigs;[19] this may reflect a zoonosis either from swine to humans, or from humans to swine. Although it is not certain in which direction the virus was transferred, some evidence suggests that, in this case, pigs caught the disease from humans.[16] For instance, swine influenza was only noted as a new disease of pigs in 1918, after the first large outbreaks of influenza amongst people.[16] Although a recent phylogenetic analysis of more recent strains of influenza in humans, birds, and swine suggests that the 1918 outbreak in humans followed a reassortment event within a mammal,[23] the exact origin of the 1918 strain remains elusive.[24] It is estimated that anywhere from 50 to 100 million people were killed worldwide.

1976 U.S. outbreak
Main article: 1976 swine flu outbreak
On February 5, 1976, in the United States an army recruit at Fort Dix said he felt tired and weak. He died the next day and four of his fellow soldiers were later hospitalized. Two weeks after his death, health officials announced that the cause of death was a new strain of swine flu. The strain, a variant of H1N1, is known as A/New Jersey/1976 (H1N1). It was detected only from January 19 to February 9 and did not spread beyond Fort Dix.

President Ford receives swine flu vaccination
This new strain appeared to be closely related to the strain involved in the 1918 flu pandemic. Moreover, the ensuing increased surveillance uncovered another strain in circulation in the U.S.: A/Victoria/75 (H3N2) spread simultaneously, also caused illness, and persisted until March.[26] Alarmed public-health officials decided action must be taken to head off another major pandemic, and urged President Gerald Ford that every person in the U.S. be vaccinated for the disease.
The vaccination program was plagued by delays and public relations problems.[28] On October 1, 1976, the immunization program began and by October 11, approximately 40 million people, or about 24% of the population, had received swine flu immunizations. That same day, three senior citizens died soon after receiving their swine flu shots and there was a media outcry linking the deaths to the immunizations, despite the lack of positive proof. According to science writer Patrick Di Justo, however, by the time the truth was known — that the deaths were not proven to be related to the vaccine — it was too late. "The government had long feared mass panic about swine flu — now they feared mass panic about the swine flu vaccinations." This became a strong setback to the program.
There were reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a paralyzing neuromuscular disorder, affecting some people who had received swine flu immunizations. This syndrome is a rare side-effect of modern influenza vaccines, with an incidence of about one case per million vaccinations.[30] As a result, Di Justo writes that "the public refused to trust a government-operated health program that killed old people and crippled young people." In total, less than 33% of the population had been immunized by the end of 1976. The National Influenza Immunization Program was effectively halted on December 16.
Overall, there were about 500 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), resulting in death from severe pulmonary complications for 25 people, which, according to Dr. P. Haber, were probably caused by an immunopathological reaction to the 1976 vaccine. Other influenza vaccines have not been linked to GBS, though caution is advised for certain individuals, particularly those with a history of GBS. Still, as observed by a participant in the immunization program, the vaccine killed more Americans than the disease did.

1988 zoonosis
In September 1988, a swine flu virus killed one woman and infected others. 32-year old Barbara Ann Wieners was eight months pregnant when she and her husband, Ed, became ill after visiting the hog barn at a county fair in Walworth County, Wisconsin. Barbara died eight days later, after developing pneumonia. The only pathogen identified was an H1N1 strain of swine influenza virus. Doctors were able to induce labor and deliver a healthy daughter before she died. Her husband recovered from his symptoms.
Influenza-like illness (ILI) was reportedly widespread among the pigs exhibited at the fair. 76% of 25 swine exhibitors aged 9 to 19 tested positive for antibody to SIV, but no serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggested between one and three health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection. However, there was no community outbreak.

1998 US outbreak in swine
In 1998, swine flu was found in pigs in four U.S. states. Within a year, it had spread through pig populations across the United States. Scientists found that this virus had originated in pigs as a recombinant form of flu strains from birds and humans. This outbreak confirmed that pigs can serve as a crucible where novel influenza viruses emerge as a result of the reassortment of genes from different strains.

2007 Philippine outbreak in swine

Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (April 2009)
On August 20, 2007 Department of Agriculture officers investigated the outbreak (epizootic) of swine flu in Nueva Ecija and Central Luzon, Philippines. The mortality rate is less than 10% for swine flu, unless there are complications like hog cholera. On July 27, 2007, the Philippine National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) raised a hog cholera "red alert" warning over Metro Manila and 5 regions of Luzon after the disease spread to backyard pig farms in Bulacan and Pampanga, even if these tested negative for the swine flu virus.

2009 outbreak in humans
Main article: 2009 flu pandemic
The H1N1 viral strain implicated in the 2009 flu pandemic among humans often is called "swine flu" because initial testing showed many of the genes in the virus were similar to influenza viruses normally occurring in North American swine. But further research has shown that the outbreak is due to a new strain of H1N1 not previously reported in pigs.
In late April, Margaret Chan, the World Health Organization's director-general, declared a "public health emergency of international concern" under the rules of the WHO's new International Health Regulations when the first cases of the H1N1 virus were reported in the United States. Following the outbreak, on May 2, 2009, it was reported in pigs at a farm in Alberta, Canada, with a link to the outbreak in Mexico. The pigs are suspected to have caught this new strain of virus from a farm worker who recently returned from Mexico, then showed symptoms of an influenza-like illness. These are probable cases, pending confirmation by laboratory testing.
The new strain was initially described as an apparent reassortment of at least four strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, including one strain endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in swine. Subsequent analysis suggested it was a reassortment of just two strains, both found in swine. Although initial reports identified the new strain as swine influenza (i.e., a zoonosis originating in swine), its origin is unknown. Several countries took precautionary measures to reduce the chances for a global pandemic of the disease.[ The Swine flu has been compared to other similar types of influenza virus in terms of mortality: "in the US it appears that for every 1000 people who get infected, about 40 people need admission to hospital and about one person dies". There are fears that swine flu will become a major global pandemic in the winter months, with many countries planning major vaccination campaigns.

Transmission

Transmission between pigs
Influenza is quite common in pigs, with about half of breeding pigs having been exposed to the virus in the US. Antibodies to the virus are also common in pigs in other countries.
The main route of transmission is through direct contact between infected and uninfected animals. These close contacts are particularly common during animal transport. Intensive farming may also increase the risk of transmission, as the pigs are raised in very close proximity to each other. The direct transfer of the virus probably occurs either by pigs touching noses, or through dried mucus. Airborne transmission through the aerosols produced by pigs coughing or sneezing are also an important means of infection. The virus usually spreads quickly through a herd, infecting all the pigs within just a few days. Transmission may also occur through wild animals, such as wild boar, which can spread the disease between farms.

Transmission to humans
People who work with poultry and swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at increased risk of zoonotic infection with influenza virus endemic in these animals, and constitute a population of human hosts in which zoonosis and reassortment can co-occur. Vaccination of these workers against influenza and surveillance for new influenza strains among this population may therefore be an important public health measure. Transmission of influenza from swine to humans who work with swine was documented in a small surveillance study performed in 2004 at the University of Iowa. This study among others forms the basis of a recommendation that people whose jobs involve handling poultry and swine be the focus of increased public health surveillance. Other professions at particular risk of infection are veterinarians and meat processing workers, although the risk of infection for both of these groups is lower than that of farm workers.

Interaction with avian H5N1 in pigs
Pigs are unusual as they can be infected with influenza strains that usually infect three different species: pigs, birds and humans. This makes pigs a host where influenza viruses might exchange genes, producing new and dangerous strains. Avian influenza virus H3N2 is endemic in pigs in China and has been detected in pigs in Vietnam, increasing fears of the emergence of new variant strains. H3N2 evolved from H2N2 by antigenic shift. In August 2004, researchers in China found H5N1 in pigs.

Main symptoms of swine flu in swine.
These H5N1 infections may be quite common: in a survey of 10 apparently healthy pigs housed near poultry farms in West Java, where avian flu had broken out, five of the pig samples contained the H5N1 virus. The Indonesian government has since found similar results in the same region. Additional tests of 150 pigs outside the area were negative.

Signs and symptoms

In swine
In pigs influenza infection produces fever, lethargy, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and decreased appetite. In some cases the infection can cause abortion. Although mortality is usually low (around 1-4%), the virus can produce weight loss and poor growth, causing economic loss to farmers. Infected pigs can lose up to 12 pounds of body weight over a 3 to 4 week period.

In humans

Main symptoms of swine flu in humans
Direct transmission of a swine flu virus from pigs to humans is occasionally possible (called zoonotic swine flu). In all, 50 cases are known to have occurred since the first report in medical literature in 1958, which have resulted in a total of six deaths.[66] Of these six people, one was pregnant, one had leukemia, one had Hodgkin disease and two were known to be previously healthy.[66] Despite these apparently low numbers of infections, the true rate of infection may be higher, since most cases only cause a very mild disease, and will probably never be reported or diagnosed.

In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee, with CDC's Influenza Division, describes the symptoms of swine flu and warning signs to look for that indicate the need for urgent medical attention.See also: See this video with subtitles on YouTube
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in humans the symptoms of the 2009 "swine flu" H1N1 virus are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The 2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients reporting diarrhea and vomiting. The 2009 H1N1 virus is not zoonotic swine flu, as it is not transmitted from pigs to humans, but from person to person.
Because these symptoms are not specific to swine flu, a differential diagnosis of probable swine flu requires not only symptoms but also a high likelihood of swine flu due to the person's recent history. For example, during the 2009 swine flu outbreak in the United States, CDC advised physicians to "consider swine influenza infection in the differential diagnosis of patients with acute febrile respiratory illness who have either been in contact with persons with confirmed swine flu, or who were in one of the five U.S. states that have reported swine flu cases or in Mexico during the 7 days preceding their illness onset." A diagnosis of confirmed swine flu requires laboratory testing of a respiratory sample (a simple nose and throat swab).
The most common cause of death is respiratory failure, other causes of death are pneumonia (leading to sepsis), high fever (leading to neurological problems), dehydration (from excessive vomiting and diarrhea) and electrolyte imbalance. Fatalities are more likely in young children and the elderly.