H1N1 (Swine Flu)

By SierraLynn Johnson

Description of H1N1 H1N1 (Swine Flu) is a

respiratory illness found in pigs or an infection cause by a virus that pigs get.

People don’t normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human.

Affected Parts of Respiratory System The virus mainly

affects the respiratory system. Affected people may suffer from fever, cold, cough, body ache, sore throat and fatigue.

Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu in people.

Causes of H1N1 Human-to-human transmission can

occur through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus as well as talking to people with the virus.  People may become

infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Treatments for H1N1

There are some drugs around that can effectively treat swine flu infection in humans - and many types of flu infections in humans. There are two main types: adamantanes

(amantadine and remantadine) inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamivir

and zanamivir) Most previous swine influenza human cases

recovered completely without the need for medical attention.

Pharmacology

Vaccines Pandemrix ACAM-FLU-A Fluzone Influvac FluMist Optaflu

Treatment Amantadine Arbidol Laninamivir Oseltamivir Peramivir Rimantadine Vitamin D Zanamivir

Progression and Recovery of H1N1

Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

People with H1N1 influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possibly for up to 7 days following illness onset.