What is H1N1 flu?
This is an influenza virus that had never been identified as a cause of infections in people before the current H1N1 pandemic. Genetic analysis of this virus have shown that it originated from animal influenza viruses and is unrelated to the human seasonal H1N1 viruses that have been in general circulation among people since 1977 (WHO, 2009).
H1N1 is a flu virus. When it was first detected in 2009, it was called "swine flu" because the virus was similar to those found in pigs.
The H1N1 virus is currently a seasonal flu virus found in humans. Although it also circulates in pigs, you can not get it by eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products.
According Medline plus site; Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus. It's named for a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. In 2009 a strain of swine flu called H1N1 infected many people around the world.
The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
People who have it can spread it one day before they have any symptoms and as many as 7 days after they get sick. Kids can be contagious for as long as 10 days.
Like the regular flu, swine flu can lead to more serious problems including pneumonia, a lung infection, and other breathing problems. And it can make an illness like diabetes or asthma worse. If you have symptoms like shortness of breath, severe vomiting, pain in your belly or sides, dizziness, or confusion, call your doctor or Emergency right away.
What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
What are the incubation flu?
based of CDC; In general, the incubation period for influenza is estimated to range from 1 to 4 days with an average of 2 days. Influenza virus shedding (the time during which a person might be infectious to another person) begins the day before illness onset and can persist for 5 to 7 days, although some persons may shed virus for longer periods, particularly young children and severely immunocompromised persons. The amount of virus shed is greatest in the first 2-3 days of illness and appears to correlate with fever, with higher amounts of virus shed when temperatures are highest.
Transmission
Spread of this pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Since pandemic influenza A [H1N1] is not directly associated pigs the issue of transmission through consumption of pork does not arise.
How long does the H1N1 virus last outside the body?
Influenza viruses can survive on environmental surfaces like kitchen counters and door knobs, for up to 2-8 hours.
Transmission
Spread of this pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Since pandemic influenza A [H1N1] is not directly associated pigs the issue of transmission through consumption of pork does not arise.
How long does the H1N1 virus last outside the body?
Influenza viruses can survive on environmental surfaces like kitchen counters and door knobs, for up to 2-8 hours.
Are There Tests for Swine Flu?
Yes. Without one it's hard to tell whether you have swine flu or seasonal flu, because most symptoms are the same. If you have swine flu, you may be more likely to feel sick and your stomach and throw up than with regular flu. But a lab test is the only way to know. Even a rapid flu test you can get in your doctor's office will not tell you for sure.
Read More about Influenza Tests
high risk for life-threatening problems from swine flu, such as:
- Children under 5 years old
- People 65 or older
- Children and teens (under age 18) who are getting long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for Reye's syndrome after being infected with swine flu. Reye's syndrome is a life-threatening illness linked to aspirin use in children.
- Pregnant women
- Adults and children with chronic lung, heart, liver, blood, nervous system, neuromuscular, or metabolic problems
- Adults and children who have weakened immune systems (including those who take medications to suppress their immune systems or who have HIV)
According (UpToDate; 2015); Indications - Based on the CDC guidelines, prompt initiation of antiviral therapy was recommended for children, adolescents, or adults with suspected or confirmed influenza infection and any of the following features [5,19]:
● Illness requiring hospitalization
● Progressive, severe, or complicated illness, regardless of previous health status
It was also recommended that early treatment be considered in patients with suspected or confirmed influenza infection who were at high risk for complications including:
● Children <5 years of age, particularly those <2 years of age
● Adults ≥65 years of age
● Pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum (including those who have had pregnancy loss)
●Individuals with certain medical conditions:
Individuals with chronic medical conditions including:
• Pulmonary disease, including asthma (particularly if systemic glucocorticoids have been required during the past year)
• Cardiovascular disease, except isolated hypertension
• Active malignancy
• Chronic renal insufficiency
• Chronic liver disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle cell disease
• Immunosuppression, including HIV infection (particularly if CD4 <200 cells / microL), organ and hematopoietic cell transplantation, inflammatory disorders treated with immunosuppressants
• Any neurologic condition that can compromise handling of respiratory secretions (eg, cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, neuromuscular disorders)
● Individuals who are morbidly obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥40)
Complication
Influenza complications include:
- Worsening of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and asthma
Pneumonia
- Neurological signs and symptoms, ranging from confusion to seizures
- Respiratory failure
How Is It Treated?
Some of the same antiviral drugs that are used to treat seasonal flu also work against H1N1 swine flu. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir (Relenza) seem to work best, although some kinds of swine flu do not respond to oseltamivir.
These drugs can help you get well faster. They can also make you feel better. They work best when you take them within 48 hours of the first flu symptoms, but they can help even if you get them later on.
Antibiotics will not do anything for you. That's because flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria.
According medscape, 2014 site; H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) Treatment & Management
Medical Care
Treatment is largely supportive and consists of bedrest, increased fluid consumption, cough suppressants, and antipyretics and analgesics (eg, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for fever and myalgias. Severe cases may require intravenous hydration and other supportive measures. Antiviral agents may also be considered for treatment or prophylaxis (see Medication).
Patients should be encouraged to stay home if they become ill, to avoid close contact with people who are sick, to wash their hands often, and to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth. The CDC recommends the following actions when human infection with H1N1 influenza (swine flu) is confirmed in a community :
Patients who develop flu like illness (ie, fever with either cough or sore throat) should be strongly encouraged to self-isolate in their home for 7 days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
To seek medical care, patients should contact their health care providers to report illness (by telephone or other remote means) before seeking care at a clinic, physician's office, or hospital.
Patients who have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or who are believed to be severely ill should seek immediate medical attention.
If the patient must go into the community (eg, to seek medical care), he or she should wear a face mask to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in the community when coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing. If a face mask is unavailable, ill persons who need to go into the community should use tissues to cover their mouth and nose while coughing.
While in home isolation, patients and other household members should be given infection control instructions, including frequent hand washing with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty. Patients with H1N1 influenza should wear a face mask when within 6 feet of others at home.
Read More about Signs and Symptoms
Read More about How does the H1N1 flu differ from the seasonal flu?
Read More about How does the H1N1 flu differ from the seasonal flu?
Read More about Influenza Tests
Read More about CDC Says "Take 3" Steps To Fight The Flu PDF or Poster PDF
Read More about Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers PDF
References
- https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/h1n1fluswineflu.html
- http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/h1n1-flu-virus-swine-flu
- http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/
- http://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-and-prevention-of-pandemic-h1n1-influenza-swine-influenza?source=search_result&search=h1n1&selectedTitle=1~86
- http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/about_disease/en/
- http://www.flu.gov/about_the_flu/h1n1/
- http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1807048-treatment
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/swine-flu/basics/complications/con-20034916
- http://www.anejo.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/CH5236.jpg
- http://en.trend.az/iran/society/2465878.html
- http://www.epid.gov.lk/web/attachments/article/146/Latest_fact_sheet_H1N1_Influenza.pdf
- https://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/h1n1flufaqs/Pages/H1N1fluFAQs-03-Prevention.aspx
- http://www.epid.gov.lk/web/attachments/article/146/Latest_fact_sheet_H1N1_Influenza.pdf
- https://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/h1n1flufaqs/Pages/H1N1fluFAQs-03-Prevention.aspx
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