What Is Swine Flu?
What Is Swine Flu? That is the question on everyones mind. Swine flu is all over the news, Internet and at the water cooler at work. Swine flu outbreaks are shutting down school, daycare centers, and school-related activities. The Swine Influenza Virus has USA hospitals on RED ALERT. Entire policies regarding patient and visitors are changing day-by-day as a preemptive strike against this flu menace. All in an attempt to get on top of the beast before the "official start of flu season". The USA population is being hit from all directions with information over-load. But in spite of this response, exactly What Is Swine Flu?
What is Swine Flu? - Names and Related Terms
The official name is "Swine Influenza Virus - (SIV)". Swine flu is also known by many nick-names such as: pig flu, hog flu, and the swine. And oddly enough, in certain sections of the Internet, it is being referred to as "having a Bacon Sandwich".
Medical terminology in 2009 defines the current SIV strains mixing influenza C and subtypes of influenza A as H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H2N3 Flu Viruses. Other related terms are zoonotic swine flu and reassortant swine flu.
What Is Swine Flu? - Medical Definition
Swine Flu Influenza is a disease of pigs and swine herds. It is caused by one of multiple Influenza Type A viruses and is a highly contagious respiratory system disease. Less than 5% of pigs contract swine flu. Direct and indirect contact between swine spreads the viruses. Many global swine farming industries vaccinate their pig against swine flu. The most common type of swine influenza virus is H1N1 although their are other types such as H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2. These combinations of different strains of influenza determine exactly what swine flu is.
What Is Swine Flu? - Swine Flu Origin 1918
The Current Swine Flu Pandemic of 2009 is considered to have originated from a strain on influenza that first arrived in 1918. The Swine Flu 1918 Pandemic resulted in over 650,000 USA deaths and is estimated between 50 & 100 million deaths worldwide. Is is contended that the original sequence of transmission went that a Type A Influenza crossed over from humans into pigs, mutated, and then was contracted back to humans. The biggest connection din1918 was that scientist noticed that during the flu pandemic, swine populations were sick also. This led scientists to help determine what swine flu is.
What Is Swine Flu? - Most Threatened Populations
- Children
- Pregnant Women
- People 50 Years Of Age & Older
- People With Lung Disease
- People With Heart Disease
- People With Weak Immune Systems
- Workers in The Swine Industry
What Is Swine Flu? - Signs & Symptoms
Swine Flu Symptoms may include:
- Weakness
- No Appetite
- General Body Aches
- Shortness of Breath - With or Without Activity
- Acute High Fever: 38° to 40° C (100° to 104° F)
- Profuse, Watery Runny Nose
- Lack of Energy
- Non-Productive Cough
- Headache
- Reddened, Irritated Watery Eyes
- Sore Throat
~ Posted September 22, 2009