m (Reverted edits by 118.99.85.47 (talk | block) to last version by Yowuza) |
|||
| (20 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| + | :''This article refers to flu in pigs. The 2009 outbreak of 'swine flu' is at [[2009 pandemic]]'' |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | |||
{{WikipediaArticle|Swine flu}} |
{{WikipediaArticle|Swine flu}} |
||
| − | {{WikipediaArticle|2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak}} |
||
| − | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | {{:Outbreak Table}} |
||
| − | The 2009 Swine Flu outbreak is a '''new''' strain of influenza, (subtype [[H1N1]]) |
||
| − | |||
| − | In April both the [[WHO]] and [[CDC]] expressed serious concerns about this new strain, because once it made the jump from pigs to people, it seemed to transmit from human to human, has had a relatively high mortality rate in [[Mexico]], and because it has the ''potential'' to become a flu pandemic. Because we have learned a great deal about epidemiology and public health since the last great epidemic (the "Spanish flu" of 1918), international health bodies are better prepared for such a pandemic and may be able to prevent it from becoming widespread if it turns out to be a strain as dangerous as the 1918 virus. It may not -- a 1976 swine flu outbreak in humans prompted widespread vaccinations but only took one life.[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/04/28/past_epidemics_have_current_import/] |
||
| − | |||
| − | Several people in [[Mexico]] and the [[United States]] have become infected with this new strain, with unconfirmed cases in [[Canada]], [[New Zealand]], [[Spain]], [[France]], and [[Colombia]]. It has caused at least 20 confirmed deaths in Mexico.there are more deaths in Mexico than in other areas[http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-04-27-swine-flu-mexico_N.htm] No definite conclusion can be reached, however the CDC reported today that swine flu viruses in the US and Mexico match.[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/24/swine.flu/index.html] |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Symptoms=== |
||
| − | :''Adapted from: the [http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm CDC]'' |
||
| − | |||
| − | The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. |
||
| − | |||
| − | ===Transmission=== |
||
| − | Swine Flu viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people, and from people to pigs. Human infection is most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur, thought to be in the same way as seasonal [[flu]] occurs in humans. This would be mainly through the coughs or sneezes of infected people. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it, and then touching their mouth or nose. |
||
| − | You can '''not''' get swine flu from eating [[pork]]. Cooking destroys the influenza virus. The name of "swine flu" does not refer to how you get it, but where it came from. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | The exchange of proteins among flu viruses from humans, birds, and pigs is very common, and happens every year (and has nothing to do with genetic engineering). However, these combinations are usually only transmitted across the species barrier, so normally the number of people at risk is limited to those who work directly with pigs or poultry. Only occasionally do the combination strains mutate in a way that allows them to be transmitted from human to human. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | ===Prevention=== |
||
| − | Washing your hands regularly, preferably with an alcohol-based hand disinfectant, will significantly reduce the risk of contamination. If you are in a high-risk area, you should avoid directly touching well-touched surfaces (such as door handles). Surgical masks can also reduce the risk of contaminants reaching the mouth or nose, however these need to be well-fitting to the skin to give maximum protection, stopping any contaminants floating around the edges. |
||
| − | :''See more at [[How can I protect my family]]'' |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | ===Diagnosis=== |
||
| + | {{main|2009 pandemic}} |
||
| − | If you are concerned that you (or someone you) know may have flu, you should seek the advice of a medical professional. This gives the best chance of accurate diagnosis and early treatment. |
||
| + | The 2009 Flu outbreak is a '''new''' strain of [[H1N1]]-type influenza, commonly referred to as "swine flu". This strain mutated out of other strains of swine flu and other influenza viruses. |
||
| + | Cases were found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and a swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe. |
||
| − | To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen (mucus/saliva) would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness. This is when an infected person is most likely to be infectious. However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen for laboratory testing, such as to [[CDC]]. |
||
| − | === Mutation === |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | ==See also== |
||
| − | :''See also: [[:Category:Advice|Advice]], [[:Category:Countries|Countries]], [[Flu]]'' |
||
| + | *[[2009 pandemic]] |
||
| + | *[[:Category:Countries|Countries]] |
||
| + | *[[Influenza]] |
||
[[Category:content]] |
[[Category:content]] |
||
[[Category:Flu]] |
[[Category:Flu]] |
||
Latest revision as of 04:36, 27 September 2013
- This article refers to flu in pigs. The 2009 outbreak of 'swine flu' is at 2009 pandemic
Swine influenza or swine flu (commonly misspelled swine flue) refers to a range of influenza cases that are caused by viruses endemic to pigs. Swine flu infects some people every year, typically those in close contact with pigs.
The influenza virus can be carried by migratory birds, who are not usually affected. The bird droppings can infect pigs, where the virus may mutate. New strains may be able to infect humans, which is what led to the 2009 H1N1 outbreak.
2009 swine flu outbreak[]
- Main article: 2009 pandemic
The 2009 Flu outbreak is a new strain of H1N1-type influenza, commonly referred to as "swine flu". This strain mutated out of other strains of swine flu and other influenza viruses.
Cases were found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and a swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe.