Influenza in Humans, Swine Origin

Influenza is a highly infectious respiratory disease that is caused by influenza viruses. The virus can cause mild to severe illness, and in some cases, it can be life-threatening. Influenza viruses can be found in humans, birds, and animals, including pigs. Influenza viruses that are found in pigs are known as swine influenza viruses or SIV. In this article, we will discuss the history of swine origin influenza in humans, how it spreads, the symptoms, the first case, treatment, precautions, and conclusions.

What is Swine Origin Influenza?

Swine origin influenza is a type of influenza that is caused by influenza viruses that are found in pigs. Swine influenza viruses are classified into different subtypes based on the combination of two different surface proteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). The H1N1 subtype is the most common swine influenza virus that infects humans. However, there are other subtypes of swine influenza viruses, including H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.

When and How did Swine Origin Influenza Spread to Humans?

Swine influenza viruses have been known to infect pigs for more than 80 years. However, swine origin influenza viruses were not known to cause disease in humans until 1976. In that year, there was an outbreak of swine origin influenza in humans in Fort Dix, New Jersey. This outbreak was caused by an H1N1 swine influenza virus that was very similar to the virus that caused the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. The outbreak at Fort Dix resulted in one death and caused concern among public health officials.

Since the outbreak at Fort Dix, there have been several other outbreaks of swine origin influenza in humans. The most well-known outbreak of swine origin influenza in humans occurred in 2009. This outbreak was caused by a novel H1N1 swine influenza virus that was first identified in Mexico in April 2009. The virus quickly spread to other countries and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in June 2009. The pandemic lasted for about a year and caused an estimated 284,000 deaths worldwide.

Swine influenza viruses can spread from pigs to humans in several ways. People who work with pigs or have contact with pigs are at a higher risk of contracting swine origin influenza. Swine influenza viruses can also spread from human to human, just like other types of influenza viruses. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth or nose.

Symptoms of Swine Origin Influenza

The symptoms of swine origin influenza are similar to those of other types of influenza. They include:

* Fever

* Cough

* Sore throat

* Runny or stuffy nose

* Body aches

* Headache

* Chills

* Fatigue

In some cases, swine origin influenza can also cause diarrhea and vomiting.

First Case of Swine Origin Influenza in Humans

As mentioned earlier, the first known case of swine origin influenza in humans occurred in Fort Dix, New Jersey, in 1976. The outbreak at Fort Dix resulted in one death and caused concern among public health officials. However, the outbreak did not spread beyond the military base.

The most well-known outbreak of swine origin influenza in humans occurred in 2009. The outbreak was caused by a novel H1N1 swine influenza virus that was first identified in Mexico in April 2009. The virus quickly spread to other countries and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in June 2009. The first case of swine origin influenza in humans was a 5-year-old boy from La Gloria, Veracruz, Mexico. He became ill on April 2, 2009, and was treated at a local clinic. He recovered, but his illness was not diagnosed as swine origin influenza until later. The virus continued to spread in Mexico, and by the end of April, there were more than 1,000 suspected cases of swine origin influenza in the country.

Treatment and Precautions

Most people who contract swine origin influenza recover without needing medical treatment. However, in severe cases, antiviral medications such as oseltamivir and zanamivir can be used to treat the illness. These medications work best if they are given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Precautions that can be taken to prevent the spread of swine origin influenza include:

* Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or using hand sanitizer

* Covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

* Avoiding close contact with people who are sick

* Staying home from work or school if you are sick

* Wearing a face mask in public if you are sick

* Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

Conclusion

Swine origin influenza is a respiratory disease that is caused by influenza viruses that are found in pigs. The virus can spread from pigs to humans, and in some cases, it can cause severe illness and even death. The most well-known outbreak of swine origin influenza in humans occurred in 2009 and resulted in a pandemic that lasted for about a year. Although there is no specific treatment for swine origin influenza, antiviral medications can be used to treat severe cases. The best way to prevent the spread of swine origin influenza is to practice good hygiene and take precautions to avoid close contact with sick people.