Swine Fever, H1N1 Fever, Swain Flew, Swine Flue, Swine Flu - What you should know

Swine Fever, H1N1 Fever, Swain Flew, Swine Flue, Swine Flu - Panicked Indians call it in many ways
Here are some basic things about Swine flu, its mode of transmisison from humans to humans, prevention and treatment

Swine Flu also called H1N1 flu, swine influenza, pig flu etc is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus such as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3 etc.

Transmission
Influenza spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth.

Swine flu cannot be spread by cooked pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food.

Symptoms
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness.

Prevention
Frequent washing of hands with soap and water after being out in public places and avoid contact with eyes, nose, mouth after touching tabletops, telephones and other surfaces which may be affected.

Stay away from large gatherings, travelling to infected area etc.

Treatment
People with swine flu-like symptoms should stay away from work, travel and should contact a doctor immeidately.

Doctors recommend the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.