What causes Swine Flu and How to Cure?

Swine Flu is a disease of pigs which is a highly contagious respiratory disease. It is caused by influenza A Viruses that is why its symptoms are almost similar to a normal seasonal flu, therefore the early detection is difficult to make. The disease is caused by virus and approximately 1-2% of pigs that get swine flu get die as a result. In many parts of the world, pigs are given vaccination also against swine flu.

The disease has got epidemic in India and lots of people have died in less than three months period. The early detection and treatment is the only cure of the disease, otherwise it could be proved fatal thereby causing threat to life.

Causes of Swine Flu

Swine Flu is H1N1 influenza but sometimes can occur from the other viruses like H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2. Humans can catch swine influence H1N1 in the following two ways:

• From contact with swine flu infected pigs
• From contact with the swine flu infected humans as the virus can be active within a range of three feet

Read: Home remedies to cure Swine Flu

Risk of Swine Flu

The symptoms of swine flu are almost similar to seasonal human influenzas and can cause fatal pneumonia also. As the symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal flu symptoms, like cough, cold and respiratory tract infections, therefore, early detection of swine flu in humans is difficult to make. If the symptoms are very mild and not severe, then it is unlikely that any connection to the disease is found.

Treatment of Swine Flu

The early detection and treatment of swine flu is very important, as otherwise it could be proved fatal and resulting in pneumonia and kidney failure. The doctors prescribe anti-viral drugs like Oseltamivir and Zanamivir to reduce the severity of symptoms. These medicines do not provide complete surety of the cure as the virus can develop resistivity against them also.

There is a specific age group and criteria of people whom swine flu affects much like:

• Those who are hospitalized Those who are younger than 3 years
• Pregnant women and newly born babies
• Those who are above 65 years and older people
• Those who have complaint of chronic medical conditions, including asthma,
• Heart disease, sugar, neuro-muscular disease, obesity and kidney or liver diseases
• Those having HIV or immuno-suppressed due to other medications

What should be done if your child gets swine flu?

Following are the symptoms your child can show and need medical attention:

• Has bluish or gray skin color
• Is not feeling like eating or drinking
• Has respiratory problem and troubled breathing
• Is not interacting with others
• Vomiting and stomach pain Irritable nature Fever, cough and headache
• Early symptoms of swine flu is, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat and muscle aches.

It is advisable to keep the child at home till his symptoms are gone and also after they are gone. If your child shows above symptoms, then kept your child at home and avoid sending him to school. For fever, doctors can prescribe medicines like Tylenol and Mortin. Always contact your doctor if any symptoms are shown in your child.

Home Remedies and lifestyle

• Drink Plenty of Water and liquids: Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You can check your urine color; if it is yellow then your body is dehydrated of water.
• Take enough rest: The flue takes most of your energy and fever makes body dehydrated, so get more sleep to make your immune system strong.
• Go Ayurveda way: Take Giloi(Herbal plant) stem and tulsi leaves and boil them in water till the water gets reduced to half. Drink this water, it improves immune system also.
• Good Habits: Make it a habit to use handkerchief while sneezing and use masks in public areas. A swine flu virus can be effective in three feet area, so avoid come in contact with the infected person. Avoid going in a crowded area and wash your hands before eating any food and after every 2-3 hours with good soap or a sanitizer.

Image Source: MediManage