What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease found in pigs. It is caused by one of the swine influenza A viruses. Swine flu results in high morbidity and low mortality of about 1-4%. Amongst the pigs themselves, the virus spreads through aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and through asymptomatic carrier pigs. Although the pigs are prone to regular infections, incidences increase in the fall and winter months in the temperate zones. Therefore, pigs are routinely vaccinated against swine influenza in many countries.

Swine influenza viruses though commonly belong to the H1N1 subtype, other subtypes like H1N2, H3N1, H3N2 are also known to be circulating in pigs. Pigs, on the other hand, are more susceptible to being infected with avian influenza viruses, human seasonal influenza viruses and swine influenza viruses, allowing the genes from the viruses to mix and result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources; this is called a “reassortant” virus. Although swine influenza viruses are species specific, they can in extreme conditions make a crossover to cause disease in humans.

How is swine flu diagnosed?

When a person is under the weather, many symptoms may be present. However, symptoms of swine flu are very similar to normal cold and flu symptoms, and may include:

Headache Fever Cough Appetite loss Fatigue Sore throat Runny nose Chills Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea

Fatigue, appetite loss and diarrhea can be dangerous. If the symptoms are persistent, it becomes imperative that you see a doctor. In order to diagnose your illness, the doctor may order:

Chest x-rays Respiratory specimen Blood work

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen must be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of the onset of the illness as this is the time when the infected person is most likely to be shedding virus; however, children especially, may be shedding the virus for 7 days or longer. In order to identify the swine influenza A virus, the specimen must be sent to the CDC for laboratory testing. Only RT-PCR or viral culture has the potential to confirm infection with swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus. The test performance of rapid antigen tests and immunofluorescence tests for detection of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus is unknown. Persons who are suspected of having swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus and who test positive for the same using one of these tests should then have confirmatory RT-PCR or viral culture testing to confirm the presence of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus. A negative rapid antigen or immunofluorescence test cannot be used to rule out swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. The results of this test from nasopharyngeal or nasal swab, along with other information, will in all probability help your doctor take better care of you. Knowing the test results will help prevent the spread of the virus to others.

The Swine Influenza Test Kit is a sensitive test to detect the swine flu virus; however, the FDA has not cleared or approved this test. But it has been agreed by the FDA has agreed that this test can be used under an Emergency Use Authorization.

How is swine flu different from bird flu?

The swine flu and the bird flu viruses do not have a twin-like similarity but are however quite similar. The virus that causes bird flu in humans first mutated from a virus that birds had so that it could then be passed on to humans; once established, it now passes from human to human contact. Same is the case with swine flu. It started among pigs as a virus but then soon mutated to spread to humans. Viruses have the ability to replicate rapidly; these viruses are able to mutate very quickly thereby creating new strains that then move on to multiply in other areas and susceptible hosts. Avian flu so far has found it difficult to infect humans unless they were exposed to birds intensely. This is because the virus has not mutated in a way that makes it transmissible by one human to another. However, the swine flu virus has genetic origins from both pigs and birds. The biggest difference here is that the swine flu virus has mutated to an extent where it can readily be transmitted on human to human contact.

What drugs are available to treat swine flu and bird flu?

Antiviral treatment is normally the first line of treatment for the confirmed, probable or suspected cases of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, prioritizing treatment of hospitalized patients and patients with high risk for complications. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with actively works against influenza viruses, including the swine influenza virus. Antiviral drugs are generally used to treat swine flu or to prevent infection with swine flu viruses. These medications are prescribed by a health care professional.

As of today, four influenza antiviral drugs are approved for use in the United States. They are:

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) Zanamivir (Relenza) Amantadine Rimantadine (Flumadine)

Laboratory testing conducted on the swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses so far has indicated that the viruses are susceptible (sensitive) to oseltamivir and zanamivir. Antiviral drugs can make the illness milder as well prevent serious influenza complications. However, these antiviral drugs work best when they are started within two days of the onset of the illness. Antiviral drugs can also be used as a preventive measure to protect a person who has been or may be near a person with swine flu. Antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective in preventing the flu.

Antiviral doses recommended for treatment of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in adults or children 1 year of age or older are the same as those recommended for seasonal influenza. Oseltamivir use in children less than 1 year of age was recently approved by the U.S. FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

Moreover, there are vaccines available that can be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza from spreading. Nonetheless, there is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu yet. It is believed that the seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

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Flu is a influenza which is commonly shortened as flu. It is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A and A virus. Flu appears mostly in early spring and in winter season. The flu virus attacks body by spreading through the upper or lower respiratory tract. Flu and common cold are both contagious viral infection. Flu is much worse. A cold can drag you down a bit, but the flu can make you ill so that u can’t come out of the bed. Both flu and cold have the same symptoms so it is very difficult to identify and differentiate flu from the normal bacterial cold or illness. Normal medication is not applicable for the flu, because antibiotic can fight with bacterial infection only.

A very few antiviral medications are available for the flu. Flu virus is communicable in nature which can transmit for one body to another very easily in various ways. Now a day flu is the most challenging field in the medical science, for making the perfect drug for it.

Flu drugs are kind of medication which provided to the patient affected with the flu virus. Which make the flu illness away from that person and help him to recover very soon. There are many types of flu virus influenza A, influenza B, influenza C, strain of influenza A, Russian influenza, Spanish influenza, Indian influenza, swine flu, avian flu. Different types of Flu drugs are there for the different kind of flu. Type A flu is the most dangerous kind of the flu, which can cause by eating duck, chicken, pigs, whales and humans.

Types of Flu drug :

Amantadine flu drugs: amantadine is a flu drug which can prevent from many influenza and flu infections. It also increases our muscle control and decreases the muscle stiffness. This flu drug is not effective for the normal cold or fever. It is specially made for the flu influenza only. For taking this drug first a person need to take food other it can cause some other side effects. After taking the food take one capsule in your mouth and swallow it with a full glass of the water. Doctor prescription should be taken before taking this drug. Children should be given this drug with some special care. They must given extra attention towards this because it can cause some side effects. Side effects can be cause by this flu drug. It can make your stomach upset and cause stomach pain, if the person is getting problems after taking this flu drug. He should inform to the doctor and take some care about it, this flu drug should be kept out of the reach of the children’s and kept in a place of temperature range of 15-30′c.

Relenza zanamivir inhalation powder Flu drug: it is a powder type flu drug for inhalation. This drug is very effective for the two types of the flu. It can prevent a person from the flu in 1 or 2day only, also it can cause antibody which prevent flu from spreading to another persons. This flu drug should be taken on the physician suggestion, it prevents the human bodies from chronic lung disease as asthma or COPD, heart disease, kidney disease. This flu drug is in the powder form which can be inhaled, person need to inhale it for 2times in a day for regular 5days. If user gets any side effect of this flu drug, he should immediately inform the doctor who provided him or suggested him to take this drug.

Tamiflu oseltamivi Flu drug: it is a flu drug which is very effective for the two type of flu. It can decrease the effect of flu in one or two days, very effective flu drug. It also helps in reducing the condition for the spreading of the flu virus. It should be taken with doctor suggestion and if there be any side effect of it, must be informed to the doctor.

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                                                    BY: Dr. GHAZAL SABREEN

                                                                            PHARM: D

SWINE FLUE/ SWINE INFLUENZA

What is swine influenza?

It is the type of influenza that is caused by those strains of influenza virus,(swine influenza virus) that usually infect pigs.

SYNONYMS:

It is also called as: swine flu, hog flu and pig flu.

CAUSATIVE AGENT:

As of 2009 these strains are all found in Influenza C virus and the subtypes of Influenza A virus known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. Swine influenza is common in pigs in the midwestern United States (and occasionally in other states), Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe (including the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy), Kenya, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and other parts of eastern Asia.[2]

Of the three genera of influenza viruses that cause human flu, two also cause influenza in pigs, with Influenza virus A being common in pigs and Influenza virus C being rare.[7] Influenza virus B has not been reported in pigs. Within Influenza virus A and Influenza virus C, the strains found in pigs and humans are largely distinct, although due to reassortment there have been transfers of genes among strains crossing swine, avian, and human species boundaries.

 

History

Swine influenza was first proposed to be a disease related to human influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic, when pigs became sick at the same time as humans.The first identification of an influenza virus as a cause of disease in pigs occurred in 1930. For the following 60 years, swine influenza strains were almost exclusively H1N1. Then, between 1997 and 2002, new strains of three different subtypes and five different genotypes emerged as causes of influenza among pigs in North America. In 1997-1998, H3N2 strains emerged. These strains, which include genes derived by reassortment from human, swine and avian viruses, have become a major cause of swine influenza in North America. Reassortment between H1N1 and H3N2 produced H1N2. In 1999 in Canada, a strain of H4N6 crossed the species barrier from birds to pigs, but was contained on a single farm.The H1N1 form of swine flu is one of the descendants of the strain that caused the 1918 flu pandemic.As well as persisting in pigs, the descendants of the 1918 virus have also circulated in humans through the 20th century, contributing to the normal seasonal epidemics of influenza.However, direct transmission from pigs to humans is rare, with only 12 cases in the U.S. since 2005.Nevertheless, the retention of influenza strains in pigs after these strains have disappeared from the human population might make pigs a reservoir where influenza viruses could persist, later emerging to reinfect humans once human immunity to these strains has waned.

Swine flu has been reported numerous times as a zoonosis (The simplest definition of a zoonosis is a disease that can be transmitted from other vertebrate animals to humans. A slightly more technical definition is a disease that normally infects other animals, but can also infect humans). in humans, usually with limited distribution, rarely with a widespread distribution. Outbreaks in swine are common and cause significant economic losses in industry, primarily by causing stunting and extended time to market. For example, this disease costs the British meat industry about £65 million every year.

1918 pandemic in humans

The 1918 flu pandemic in humans was associated with H1N1 and influenza appearing in pigs

After 1918 several outbreaks of swine flue in different years occur but the most current is of 2009

2009 outbreak in humans

The 2009 flu outbreak is due to a new strain of subtype H1N1 not previously reported in pigs.In late April, Margaret Chan, the World Health Organization’s director-general, declared a “public health emergency of international concern” under the rules of the WHO’s new International Health Regulations when the first cases of the H1N1 virus were reported in the United States. The outbreak, on May 2, 2009, it was reported in pigs at a farm in Alberta, Canada, with a link to the outbreak in Mexico. The pigs are suspected to have caught this new strain of virus from a farm worker who recently returned from Mexico, then showed symptoms of an influenza-like illness.These are probable cases, pending confirmation by laboratory testing.

The new strain was initially described as apparent reassortment of at least four strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, inluding one strain endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in swine. Subsequent analysis suggested it was a reassortment of just two strains, both found in swine.Although initial reports identified the new strain as swine influenza (ie, a zoonosis originating in swine), its origin is unknown. Several countries took precautionary measures to reduce the chances for a global pandemic of the disease

 

 

HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED:

TRANSMISSION IN HUMAN?

Transmission of swine influenza virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always cause human influenza, often only resulting in the production of antibodies in the blood. The meat of the animal poses no risk of transmitting the virus when properly cooked. If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People who work with pigs, especially people with intense exposures, are at increased risk of catching swine flu. In the mid-20th century, identification of influenza subtypes became possible, this allows accurate diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, fifty confirmed transmissions have been recorded, Rarely, these strains of swine flu can pass from human to human.

HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED? (CONTINUE)

TRANSMISSION IN PIGS:

Transmission between pigs

Influenza is quite common in pigs, with about half of breeding pigs having been exposed to the virus in the US  Antibodies to the virus are also common in pigs in other countries. The main route of transmission is through direct contact between infected and uninfected animals. These close contacts are particularly common during animal transport. Intensive farming may also increase the risk of transmission, as the pigs are raised in very close proximity to each other.The direct transfer of the virus probably occurs either by pigs touching noses, or through dried mucus. Airborne transmission through the aerosols produced by pigs coughing or sneezing are also an important means of infection .The virus usually spreads quickly through a herd, infecting all the pigs within just a few days. Transmission may also occur through wild animals, such as wild boar, which can spread the disease between farms.

 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SWINE FLUE?

SYMPTOMS IN HUMANS:

In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever- Sudden fever above 38 degrees (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit), aching joints, nasal congestion, general fatiguesore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort

The 2009 outbreak has shown an increased percentage of patients reporting diarrhea and vomiting.[65] The 2009 H1N1 virus is not zoonotic swine flu, as it is not transmitted from pigs to humans, but from person to person.

 

 

SYMPTOMS IN SWINE:

In pigs influenza infection produces fever, lethargy, sneezing, coughing, difficulty breathing and decreased appetite.In some cases the infection can cause abortion. Although mortality is usually low (around 1-4%),the virus can produce weight loss and poor growth, causing economic loss to farmers. Infected pigs can lose up to 12 pounds of body weight over a 3 to 4 week period

 

IS THERE ANY VACCINES AVALABLE FOR SWINE INFLUENZA????

There are no any vaccine uptil now avalable which contain swine influenza virus causing disease in humans. It is not known too that current seasonal influenza vaccines provide the protection. Influenza viruses change very quikly . It is important to develop vaccine for current circulating virus strain, to provide the people maximum protection.

 

HOW THE SWINE INFLUENZA CAN BE TREATED?

If a person becomes sick with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). Beside antiviral, palliative care, at home or in hospital, focuses on controlling fevers and maintaining fluid balance. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses, however, the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs.The virus isolates in the 2009 outbreak have been found resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.

TREATMENT In confirmed cases: Mexican authorities have provided patients with flu drugs Seltamivir or Zanamivir under strict medical supervision, and warn against side effects in misuse.

The Mexican government said that the antiviral drugs would only be administered if infection is confirmed.

 

HOW THE HUMAN CAN BE PREVENTED FROM SWINE INFLUENZA?

Prevention of pig to human transmission

 

 

Swine can be infected by both avian and human influenza strains of influenza, and therefore are hosts where the antigenic shifts can occur that create new influenza strains.

The transmission from swine to human is believed to occur mainly in swine farms where farmers are in close contact with live pigs. Although strains of swine influenza are usually not able to infect humans this may occasionally happen, so farmers and veterinarians are encouraged to use a face mask when dealing with infected animals. The use of vaccines on swine to prevent their infection is a major method of limiting swine to human transmission. Risk factors that may contribute to swine-to-human transmission include smoking and not wearing gloves when working with sick animals.

Prevention of human to human 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 pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food. The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days for analysis.

Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public. Chance of transmission is also reduced by disinfecting household surfaces, which can be done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach solution

 

HOW THE SWINE INFLUENZA BE DIAGNOSED?

 

DIAGNOSIS: Clinical examination of secretions from the nose and mouth in the first 24-72 hours after presenting symptoms, and a study of blood samples to detect existence of influenza virus.

HOW LONG THE INFECTED PERSON BE THE SOURCE OF INFECTION TO OTHERS?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

FIVE TIPS TO KEEP YPURSELF AWAY FROM SWINE INFLUENZA?

1.Stay home if you’re sick.

2.Avoid close contact with people who are sick

3.Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

4.Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

5.Keep up with health information in your own community

TOPICS COVERED:

1       Definition

2       Synonyms

3       Causative agent

4       History

5       Mode of transmission

6       Sign and symtoms

7       Treatment

8       Vaccines

9       How long the person be source of infection

10 Diagnosis

11 Prevention

12 Health Tips

  “Try to cover every thing in the simple language even the non medical student / person can easily understand”

REFERENCE: FROM INTERNET SITESTop of Form

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About Tamiflu – its manufacturer

Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is an oral antiviral treatment for influenza, and belongs to a class of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors (NAI). Tamiflu prevents the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and are designed to be active against all clinically relevant influenza virus strains. It is proven to be effective in the treatment and for the prevention of influenza in adults and in children 1 year and older.

Roche, the manufacturer of Tamiflu since 1996, acquired the worldwide rights to develop and market the drug from Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California.

Comes in the strength of

Tamiflu can be used both for prevention and treatment of influenza. An oral medication, it is a convenient 75mg capsule which affects all key sites in the body where the virus multiplies. The dose for the adult treatment of influenza is a 75mg capsule, taken twice daily for five days. A pack of Tamiflu contains a full treatment course of 10 capsules.

Treatment must commence within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms for full efficacy. For post exposure prophylaxis the dosage is one 75mg capsule daily for up to 6 weeks.

Tamiflu is proven to be effective in adults and in children one year and older.

What is an influenza virus?

Influenza is an acute infectious disease caused by a member of the orthomyxovirus family: influenza virus A and B or, to a much lesser extent, influenza virus C. However, the term ‘flu’ is often used for any febrile respiratory illness with systemic symptoms that may be caused be a myriad of bacterial or viral agents as well as influenza viruses.

According to the WHO 3-5 million cases of seasonal influenza occur every year.

The influenza virus is classified into three categories: A, B, and C. Type A is the most serious and usually appears every two or three years. Prone to mutation, it regularly produces nonresistant strains; has caused many epidemics; and is also responsible for pandemics, in which entire continents are affected.

Type B influenza virus is the strain responsible for smaller infection outbreaks. Once infected with this virus, the immune system successfully resists this type of virus for many years. This type commonly infects uninfected children aged between 5-14 years.

Type C influenza virus is a very mild strain of the infection, similar to symptoms of a common cold. This can be treated with bed rest and plenty of fluid intake.

How to treat the influenza virus?

The flu targets the respiratory system which is the nose, lungs, throat and the bronchial tubes. During the flu, a patient exhibits some or all of the following symptoms.

Loss of appetite

Fever

Congestion that turns to a runny nose

Sore throat

Cough that turns productive

Exhaustion and weakness

Muscle aches and pains

It is possible to treat the flu using medication as well as make a rapid recovery using various other means like:

Keeping fluid intake to the optimum – Flu sufferers lose a lot of fluids from having high fevers. Water, orange juice (vitamin C) and sports drinks like Gatorade help replenish electrolytes.

Proper sleep – Adequate rest helps in recovery.

Taking a healthy diet – Nutrition is an important part of recovery.

Minimal exertion – It is better to stay in bed and recuperate through relaxation..

Keeping the fever in check – Young children often suffer higher fever during the flu.

Toddlers should be attended to by a pediatrician in the event of a high fever that lasts for a day and for adults a doctor should be consulted when the fever exceeds 103 degrees or lasts longer than two days and is accompanied by significant fatigue or any kind of pain. The elderly and those with diabetes, a weakened immune system, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy beyond the first trimester, lung disease or asthma should call their doctor when flu symptoms arrive.

Tamiflu dosage is said to deliver a 38% reduction in the severity of symptoms, a 67% reduction in secondary complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis in otherwise healthy individuals and a 37% reduction in the duration of influenza illness.

Side effects of Tamiflu

The drug Tamiflu is to be given in proper dosages as prescribed by the doctor. Exceeding the dosage limits for any drug can lead to serious side effects. If you should become affected with any of the allergic reactions do not wait for the swelling to subside and go to the nearest emergency room. As with any drug, Tamiflu also has the potential to affect you in the following ways. You may experience:

Serious allergic reaction

Difficulty breathing

Swelling of the tongue or lips

Constriction of the throat

Swelling of your face

More serious side effects have also sometimes been reported. While these ‘reports were mostly in children,’ it is still not known if they were actually caused by taking Tamiflu. According to the FDA, there have been reports (mostly from Japan) of patients causing:

Self-injury

Experiencing delirium (confusion, hallucinations, speech problems)

Other than this you may experience less serious side effects like:

Dizziness

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

Abdominal pains or abdominal cramps

Sleeplessness (insomnia)

Fatigue

Cough

Other respiratory symptoms

The side effects of Tamiflu, when you are taking other medication are almost none. Though so far no clinical tests have proved that Tamiflu reacts with other medication it would be a good idea to tell your doctor that you are taking other medication when you are being prescribed Tamiflu.

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About Tamiflu – It’s Manufacturer

Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is an oral antiviral treatment (not a vaccine) for influenza, and belongs to a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors (NAI). It prevents the virus from spreading inside the body and works well against all strains.

Roche, the manufacturer of Tamiflu since 1996, acquired the worldwide rights to develop and market the drug from Gilead Sciences, Foster City, California.

Comes in the Strength Of

Tamiflu can be used both for prevention and treatment of influenza. An oral medication, it is a convenient 75mg capsule which affects all key sites in the body where the virus multiplies. The dose for the adult treatment of influenza is a 75mg capsule, taken twice daily for five days. A pack of Tamiflu contains a full treatment course of 10 capsules.

Treatment must commence within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms for full efficacy. For post exposure prophylaxis the dosage is one 75mg capsule daily for up to 6 weeks.

Tamiflu is proven to be effective in adults and in children one year and older.

What is an Influenza Virus?

Influenza is a disease caused by a member of the Orthomyxoviridae. Many features are common with those of the Paramyxovirus infections of the respiratory tract. Influenza, commonly called – the ‘flu’- is a serious disease caused by influenza A and B viruses, which usually occurs seasonally in the autumn and winter months. According to the WHO 3-5 million cases of seasonal influenza occur every year.

The influenza virus is classified into three categories: A, B, and C. Type A is the most serious and usually appears every two or three years. Prone to mutation, it regularly produces nonresistant strains; has caused many epidemics; and is also responsible for pandemics, in which entire continents are affected.

Type B influenza virus is the strain responsible for smaller infection outbreaks. Once infected with this virus, the immune system successfully resists this type of virus for many years. This type commonly infects uninfected children aged between 5-14 years.

Type C influenza virus is a very mild strain of the infection, similar to symptoms of a common cold. This can be treated with bed rest and plenty of fluid intake.

How to Treat Influenza Virus

The flu targets your respiratory system (nose, lungs, throat and bronchial tubes). During the flu, a patient exhibits some or all of the following symptoms.

Loss of appetite

Fever

Congestion that turns to a runny nose

Sore throat

Cough that turns productive

Exhaustion and weakness

Muscle aches and pains

It is possible to treat the flu using medication as well as make a rapid recovery using various means like:

Keeping your fluid intake to the optimum – Flu sufferers lose a lot of fluids from having high fevers. Drink plenty of water. Orange juice is good for its vitamin C content, too, and sports drinks like Gatorade help replenish electrolytes.

Proper sleep – Adequate rest also helps in recovery.

Taking a healthy diet – Even though you don’t feel like eating, nutrition is an important part of recovery.

Minimal exertion – It is better to stay in bed and recuperate through relaxation..

Keeping the fever in check – Young children often suffer higher fever during the flu.

Toddlers should be attended to by a pediatrician in the event of a high fever that lasts for a day and for adults a doctor should be consulted when the fever exceeds 103 degrees or lasts longer than two days and is accompanied by significant fatigue or any kind of pain. The elderly and those with diabetes, a weakened immune system, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy beyond the first trimester, lung disease or asthma should call their doctor when flu symptoms arrive.

When administered according to its approved dosage (75 mg twice daily for 5 days), Tamiflu delivers a 38 per cent reduction in the severity of symptoms, a 67 per cent reduction in secondary complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis in otherwise healthy individuals and a 37 per cent reduction in the duration of influenza illness. This data were derived from seasonal outbreaks of influenza.

Side Effects of Tamiflu

Possible Tamiflu side effects, although not common, include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Bronchitis

Stomach pain

Dizziness

Headache

More serious side effects have also sometimes been reported. According to the FDA, there have been reports (mostly from Japan) of patients causing self-injury or experiencing delirium (confusion, hallucinations, speech problems) while using Tamiflu.

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