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| Swine Flu The Virus |
What is the swine flu and how serious is it?
A new influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, confirmed the United Kingdom in April 2009. About 200 countries around the world have also been reported cases of swine flu.
Although symptoms are usually proven to be mild, a small number of patients develop more severe disease. Many of these people have other health problems like heart or lung disease that put them up.
Symptoms
Patients with influenza virus typically have a fever or high fever (over 38 ° C / 100.4 ° F) and two or more of the following symptoms:
* Unusual tiredness
* Headache
* Runny nose
* Sore throat
* Shortness of breath or cough
* Loss of appetite
Myalgia *
* Diarrhea or vomiting
As with any type of flu, how much and how long symptoms last depends on treatment and the patient's individual circumstances.
Most cases reported in the UK have been relatively mild, with affected people begin to recover in a week.
Who is at risk?
Some groups of people most at risk of serious illness if they catch flu swine. It is essential that people in these high risk groups get anti-viral drugs and start taking them as soon as possible - within 48 hours of onset of symptoms.
Health authorities are still learning about swine flu virus, but the following are known to be a major risk
* Pregnant women
* 65 years and over
* Children under five
People with the following conditions are also at high risk:
* Chronic pulmonary disease
* Chronic heart disease
* Chronic kidney disease
* Chronic liver disease
* Chronic neurological disease
* Immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
* Diabetes
* Patients with a history of asthma drugs in the last three years
If you think you are the swine flu
If you think you have symptoms of swine flu, stay home and contact your doctor.
They will be able to evaluate and decide what treatment is appropriate.
