Swine
Flu, also called Swine influenza, H1N1 flu,
hog flu, and pig flu, is an infection by any one of several types
of swine influenza virus.
Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any
strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs.
As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes
of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2,
H3N1, H3N2,
and H2N3.
Swine influenza virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide.
Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and
does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in
the production of antibodies in the blood. If transmission does
cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic
swine flu.
People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine
flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses "NO
Risk" of infection when properly cooked.
During the mid-20th century, identification of influenza subtypes
became possible, allowing accurate diagnosis of transmission to
humans. Since then, only 50 such transmissions have been confirmed.
These strains of swine flu rarely pass from human to human.
Symptoms of zoonotic swine flu in humans
are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness
in general:-
- namely chills
- fever
- sore throat
- muscle pains
- severe headache
- coughing
- weakness
- general discomfort
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