Swine flu is the popular name for influenza (flu) caused by a relatively new strain of influenza virus A. The virus is officially known as influenza virus A/H1N1pdm09. This strain of influenza is typically a human strain. People get the disease from other people, not from pigs. The swine flu viruses that usually spread among pigs aren't the same as human flu viruses.
This virus is a "reassortant" -- a mix of genes from swine, bird, and human flu viruses. The H1N1 swine flu virus appeared in Mexico in late 2008 and never went away. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 for swine flu, which is the highest alert level. This alert level means that the swine flu had spread worldwide and there were cases of people with the virus in most countries
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to most influenza infections: fever (100 F or greater), cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, fatigue, chills, body ache and headache, with nausea and abdominal pain being reported in most infected individuals. Some patients also have diarrhoea and vomiting. Some patients may develop severe respiratory symptoms (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). Incubation period from exposure to first symptoms is about one to four days, with an average of two days. The symptoms last about one to two weeks and can last longer if the person has a severe infection.
People who have swine flu can be contagious 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.
Swine flu is presumptively diagnosed clinically by the patient's history of association with people known to have the disease and their symptoms listed above. The diagnosis test is done using nose and throat swab at the laboratory. In India, as on today, only the government run hospitals are allowed to conduct the test.
Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Consider taking Vitamin C rich food. The healthier you are, the better your immune system will be at defending your body against a virus.
If you sneeze, keep a disposable tissue in front of your mouth, after sneezing or blowing your nose throw the tissue away. Wash your hands often, especially if after blowing your nose/sneezing and before you eat. Use a disinfectant when possible or just use soap and water.
In cafeteria settings, it's not uncommon for people to casually share utensils or take a sip from someone else's drink. This should be completely avoided if there is any risk of a flu pandemic.
If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help prevent some exposure to flu viruses. However, facemasks should be used along with other preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing.
Swine flu is highly contagious disease which needs immediate medical attention. The doctors, conventional as well as the homeopathic, have limited experience so far about the treatment of Swine flu, as the infection is new to the humans.
However, on the basis of the nature of the disease and its pathophysiology, we can opine that homeopathic is likely to work well in the cases of Swine flu, since homeopathy has well established role in the treatment of many viral diseases. Homoeopathic medicines works by enhancing the immunity of each person.
Central council for homoeopathy has advised the use of Homoeopathic medicine Arsenic alb 30 as a preventive for flu. Consult a qualified homoeopath in your locality to get special care for swine flu and its prevention. We at MEDLILLY offers all kind of support to the patients, both preventive and treatment for any kind of viral infections.
With proper diagnosis and early medical attention swine flu is easily manageable without any complications. However people with low immunity, children below 5 years, elderly people above 65 years, pregnant women, HIV infected, patients on medications for renal diseases, heart diseases, lung diseases etc. needs extra care.
Homoeopathic treatment in viral diseases are highly advisable as they have proved high efficacy in previous influenza pandemics. It was recorded that in 1918 Spanish flu pandemic (similar to the present H1N1) those who had taken homoeopathy had lesser mortality (1.05%) comparing to those on allopathic medicines (28.5%).