There is a global medical threat that is doing the rounds nowadays and is driving the sleep out of the eyes of health care professionals. This threat is the H1N1 flu virus infection, popularly known as swine flu. The origins of the name are obscure but have nothing to do with pigs. This is a human impacting strain of the influenza virus. It is spread among humans by other humans. The swine flu strain can be considered as an evolution of the generic human flu and the bird flu which became notorious a few years back.
To avoid unwanted confusion among the medical fraternity and public at large, the infection was given a proper scientific name, H1N1 Influenza A. This allowed the authorities to prevent any unwanted 'piggish' problems which may have arisen due to the fact that initially the strain was called 'swine flu'.
What is the most troublesome aspect is that this strain of the flu virus is new to humans. As of now, the human immunity system has not been able to map this virus infection and build any protection against it. This is the reason why H1N1 has become a cause of grave concern. The people who have problems related to immune system and the aged and young children are particularly susceptible to get infected by H1N1.
As of now, the health care and medical research bodies remain unsure about how much damage this virus can cause. So far Mexico has been the hardest hit country, primarily because the problem first surfaced in Mexico itself. By the time world international traffic could have been alerted and equipped with preventive measures, H1N1 infection was out of the barn, county and state. United States was among the first to be hit, followed by countries in western Europe and Far East. Gradually, the rest of Asia and Europe, Australia and Africa also fell to H1N1.
There is considerable research going on to develop a preventive medicine or vaccine against the virus and in some countries including United States, interim protection through advance stage development vaccines and medicines have been deployed.
Currently the outbreak is under limited control. Despite the best efforts, the authorities say that of every four people who may come in contact with the virus, at least one person will become infected. To check if a person has become infected, you will have to look if the person has developed high fever in combination with high degree of fatigue and severe pain in the muscles. If any or all of these is accompanied with the symptoms of flu, the chances that victim is infected by the H1N1 virus are very high. Generally, common flu symptoms include cough, sore throat and running nose.
If any of these H1N1 symptoms are visible, you must seek immediate medical assistance.
|