Swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is a relatively new strain of an influenza virus that causes symptoms similar to the regular flu. It originated in pigs but is spread primarily from person to person.
Swine flu made headlines in 2009 when it was first discovered in humans and became a pandemic. Pandemics are contagious diseases affecting people throughout the world or on multiple continents at the same time.
The World Health Organization (WHO)declared the H1N1 pandemic over in August 2010. Since then, the H1N1 virus has been known as a regular human flu virus.
Risk factors-
Some people are more at risk of catching swine flu than others; including:
•people aged over 65
•young children (under 5)
•people with chronic diseases
•pregnant women
•teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy
•anyone with a compromised immune system
Treatments and drugs-
Most cases of flu, including H1N1 flu, require only symptom relief. If you have a chronic respiratory disease, your doctor may prescribe additional medications to help relieve your symptoms.
The antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are sometimes prescribed within the first day or two of symptoms to reduce the severity of your symptoms, and possibly the risk of complications. But, flu viruses can develop resistance to these drugs.
