Swine flu A / H1N1 – symptoms, infection, treatment. Vaccine for AH1N1

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Swine flu, also known as the Mexican flu, is a mutation of the A / H1N1v flu virus that caused a global pandemic in 2009-2010. Is it still dangerous? What are the symptoms of swine flu? Is there a vaccine for the swine flu virus?

What should you know about the AH1N1 virus?

The AH1N1 virus is a virus derived from influenza viruses found in humans, pigs and birds in the American and Eurasian continents. AH1N1 causes swine flu, but is wrongly identified with it. AH1N1 has the ability to spread quickly between people and has similar properties to the virus that caused the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918-1920. The first AH1N1 flu pandemic lasted from June 2009 to August 2010.

According to the Report of the Chief Sanitary Inspector in Poland, 1 people died of influenza caused by the AH1N182 virus, but these were also people with other chronic diseases. Most cases were in November 2009. The pandemic had disastrous economic consequences – incl. The Netherlands, France, Germany and Italy each spent several hundred million euros on vaccines, which ultimately benefited a small number of citizens.

What is H1N1 swine flu?

H1N1 flu is a new strain of swine flu, a respiratory disease caused by a virus that is transmitted by the droplet. The H1N1 strain includes traditional seasonal flu and the so-called Spanish – the first A / H1N1 swine flu strain was originally isolated in mammals in the 30s and did not pose a direct threat to life and health. The H1N1 mutation is referred to as the “Mexican group” since it was detected in Mexico in 2009.

See also: Infectious diseases of childhood

Swine flu – symptoms and diagnosis

The symptoms of swine flu, caused by the A / H1N1 virus, are similar to those caused by the flu. One of the first steps for a physician in contact with a patient should be to determine if the person is simultaneously free of fever, headache, cough and muscle pain – these are the main symptoms of swine flu. Then check whether the patient may have been in contact with someone who has the virus in question and, if confirmed, refer the patient to a swine flu test.

The symptoms of getting swine flu are the same as for other flu-like infections. These are:

1. sore throat,
2. strong chills
3. dry cough,
4. high fever (above 38 degrees Celsius),
5. bone and joint pain,
6. lack of appetite
7. ear ache.

Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, muscle stiffness are also atypical symptoms of falling ill with the pig group. Some people may become unconscious and confused – but these are extreme cases. Symptoms of swine flu are also characteristic of other diseases, which is why it is so important to see a doctor – the symptoms get worse over time. According to some scientists, a person’s body defense response can damage tissues and make breathing difficult.

The mere appearance of the above-mentioned symptoms of swine flu does not necessarily mean that a person is already infected – it is difficult to diagnose the disease on the basis of these symptoms alone. Moreover, experienced doctors are also troubled by this, so tests for swine flu may be necessary. The virus strain is spread in much the same way as regular flu, and is mainly spread by coughing and sneezing or by touching an object with the viruses on it.

Also read: Still fatal infectious diseases

How do you get the flu AH1N1?

The AH1N1 flu can also be infected from a sick person who is asymptomatic. The AH1N1 virus is transmitted in the air as secretions from the respiratory tract. The health risk is being close to the patient, touching both him and the objects he touched, and inhaling contaminated air by the carrier – the virus gets into the respiratory tract through the hands, during direct contact with the nose, mouth or eyes.

How can I avoid getting infected with AH1N1 flu?

To avoid the risk of AH1N1 flu, turn your head away when someone is sneezing or coughing next to you and wash your hands frequently with soap and water. It is worth trying not to touch your eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands and not to store dirty tissues. After getting off the bus, touching the handrails and buttons in the elevator, it is good to disinfect your hands with a disinfecting gel.

There is a vaccine available to protect against influenza caused by type A viruses, but there are still no studies to show that it will also protect against AH1N1 flu. People who suspect that they have contracted swine flu should consult a specialist who will conduct a detailed interview and, if necessary, refer them to an appropriate test.

H1N1 Flu and Seasonal Flu – Similarities and Differences

People with both H1N1 and seasonal flu have similar symptoms:

1. muscle pain,
2. fever,
3. Headache,
4. cough,
5. chills,
6. tiredness.

Both diseases are transmitted by airborne droplets and can be caught by touching the object with the viruses on it. Both diseases are treated in a similar way with the use of anti-fever medications, drinking plenty of fluids, and resting. In many cases, self-healing occurs, but people with weakened immunity can have serious complications.

Swine flu in humans – complications

Complications caused by the AH1N1 influenza virus are similar to those caused by the seasonal flu and are most vulnerable to those with a weakened immune system. These diseases include, among others:

1. muscle inflammation,
2. encephalitis,
3. cardiac death,
4. pericarditis,
5. secondary pneumonia,
6. kidney failure
7. conjunctivitis,

The conditions listed also include Reye’s syndrome and Guillain-Barry syndrome. The AH1N1 influenza virus can even lead to death – the most vulnerable to it are children under five and seniors over 65, as well as people with comorbidities such as asthma, diabetes, and lung diseases. The AH1N1 influenza virus is also a threat to pregnant women.

AH1N1 flu vaccine – medicine or health risk?

The flu vaccine is controversial. During the 2009 pandemic, people who decided to take Pandemrix (the name of the vaccine) from the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline developed narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone. The influenza vaccine was primarily affected by children – in 2009/2010 it was used in over 30 million people in 47 countries.

Also read: Better protection against infectious diseases than a vaccine has not been invented by the world

Swine flu – treatment

There are two ways to treat swine flu – causal and complementary. The former is based on administering medicinal preparations to the patient, and the latter is based on the use of anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs and proper hydration. It is also necessary to visit a specialist and stay at home, preferably until full recovery – if possible, it is worth limiting staying in large groups of people.

When treating swine flu, you should remember about daily hygiene – wash your hands several times a day, always when you come home and use the toilet. They should be washed under running water and rinsed several times a day. It is worth remembering to always clean the spaces between the fingers and nails thoroughly. It is advisable to eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, honey and freshly squeezed fruit juices.

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