You may remember a flu that caused a lot of panic around the world a few years ago. That was the swine flu, or the flu called `(H1N1)`. Many people were afraid of it, and suffered from it. So today, let's learn more about this swine flu `(H1N1)`, because it is still among us, and it is very important to be aware of things like this.
What is this swine flu (Swine Flu - H1N1)?
Simply put, swine flu (H1N1) is an infection of our respiratory system, that is, the system we breathe (lungs, trachea, etc.) caused by a virus belonging to the influenza virus group. There is a special reason why it is called 'swine flu'. That is, this virus is very similar to a flu virus that affects pigs (swine means pigs in English). This virus also causes respiratory disease in pigs. So when it affects humans, we call it swine flu (H1N1). However, it spreads between people just like other common flu types.
Are swine flu (H1N1) and Spanish flu the same?
No, not exactly the same, but there is a connection between the two. You may have heard of the Spanish flu, which was a global pandemic in 1918. It was also caused by a strain of the virus called (H1N1). Imagine, at that time, about 500 million people around the world were infected with it, and about 50 million died. It was actually the worst pandemic in recorded history. So, different strains of the (H1N1) virus family can emerge from time to time.
How did the 2009 swine flu (H1N1) pandemic start?
In April 2009, researchers discovered a new strain of the influenza virus, the (H1N1) virus. It was first identified in the United States. It then spread rapidly throughout the United States and then around the world. The main reason for this rapid spread was that it was a new strain of influenza virus that had not been previously identified in humans.
Therefore, many young people did not have natural immunity to this new virus. But surprisingly, older people appeared to have some degree of resistance. Perhaps this was because they had previously been exposed to an older, similar strain of `(H1N1)`. This may have given them some protection.
However, this new strain has infected millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, at least 150,000 people have died from it. The saddest thing is that 80% of those who died were relatively young people, under the age of 65.
So when did the swine flu (H1N1) pandemic end?
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the end of the (H1N1) pandemic in August 2010. However, that does not mean that the (H1N1) virus has been completely eradicated from the world. The important thing is that people can still get infected with the (H1N1) virus and spread it to others. (H1N1) is just one of the viruses that cause seasonal flu, which usually occurs at certain times of the year. This means that, like other types of flu, it can make people sick, hospitalized, and, in some unfortunate cases, even die.
What causes swine flu (H1N1)? How is it transmitted?
Swine flu (H1N1) is caused by a virus. It spreads very easily from person to person. Specifically, when someone with the flu coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets from their mouth and nose are released into the air. If you breathe in air that contains the virus, you are more likely to get the disease.
Another way is to touch a surface that has the virus on it, such as a doorknob, table, or bus seat, and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes with that dirty hand. This is why it is important to wash your hands frequently.
A common misconception among many people is that eating pork will not cause `(H1N1)`. This is a respiratory infection, not a foodborne infection.
What are the symptoms of swine flu (H1N1)?
The symptoms of swine flu (H1N1) are very similar to those of the regular flu. Symptoms can start to appear three to five days after the virus enters the body. Some people may show symptoms within a day or two. Here are some of the symptoms:
- Fever (may occur suddenly with a high fever)
- Feeling cold and shivering (like having a cold)
- Cough (often a dry cough)
- Sore throat/sore throat
- Body aches, muscle aches
- Headache
- Extreme fatigue, tiredness, and weakness
- Some people may also experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
However, in young babies and children, these symptoms may be a little different, or they may not be able to express themselves properly, so we need to be careful. If your baby or young child has any of the following symptoms, do not ignore them and call a doctor immediately:
- Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, feeling like your chest is going in when you breathe
- Constant drowsiness, difficulty waking up from sleep
- Refusing to drink liquids like water and milk, refusing to eat
- Rash with fever
- Confusion, decreased consciousness, and unresponsiveness
How to accurately diagnose swine flu (H1N1)?
If you have flu symptoms, your doctor can examine you and ask about your symptoms to see if it could be `(H1N1)`. Sometimes, especially during flu epidemics, your doctor may order a `rapid flu test`. This `(rapid flu test)` can usually tell if you have influenza A or B within half an hour. `(H1N1)` is a type of influenza A. However, to know for sure whether it is `(H1N1)` or another type of influenza A, you may need to do more specialized tests (such as a PCR test), and the results may take several days to come back.
How is swine flu (H1N1) treated?
In fact, even if you get swine flu (H1N1), most healthy people who don't have other major chronic illnesses (such as diabetes or heart disease) don't need any special medications or treatment. The body's immune system will fight it off on its own. If you do get swine flu, the most important thing to do is to:
- Get plenty of rest. The more you stay in bed, the better. Stay away from strenuous activities.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Drink water, herbal teas, orange juice, cilantro, soup, porridge, and fresh fruit juices frequently. This will help prevent dehydration.
- Eat a light, nutritious diet. Foods that are easy to digest and low in fat are best.
- Definitely stay home. This is very important to stop spreading it to others. At least until the fever goes down and other symptoms subside significantly.
- Take a medicine such as paracetamol (acetaminophen - Tylenol®) as directed by your doctor to reduce fever, body aches, and headaches. Do not give medicines such as aspirin to young children without consulting a doctor.
However, if you are very sick, or if you are in a high-risk group (e.g., pregnant women, young children, the elderly, or people with chronic illnesses), your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine. Antiviral medicines, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®), can help reduce the severity of the illness by stopping the virus from multiplying in your body. These medicines can shorten the time you are sick by a day or two and help relieve symptoms. These antiviral medicines work best if you start taking them within the first 48 hours of your symptoms. So if you are feeling sick, it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible.
How can you prevent swine flu (H1N1)?
There are some simple, but very important things we can do to prevent getting swine flu (H1N1) and spreading it to others:
- When you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or a handkerchief. Carefully dispose of the used tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, sneeze/cough into your elbow. This is better than covering your mouth with your hand.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Scrub all surfaces of your hands for at least 20 seconds. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with dirty hands. These are the main ways the virus can enter the body.
- Avoid people who are sick as much as possible. Minimize your exposure to people with fevers and colds.
- If you are sick, definitely stay home. Don't go to work, school, or public places. This will help prevent you from spreading the illness to others.
- Do not share personal items such as drinking cups, plates, straws, cutlery, and towels with others.
- If possible, get a seasonal flu vaccine before flu season (usually late in the year). This can protect against several strains of the flu virus that are likely to circulate that year, including (H1N1).
When should you see a doctor?
Most people who get swine flu (H1N1) will recover from it within a few days on their own. The symptoms of (H1N1) are similar to those of a normal flu. Symptoms usually improve after about seven to eight days. However, if your symptoms do not improve after a few days, get worse, or if you experience any of the following, call or see a doctor right away:
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion, altered consciousness
- If you vomit frequently
- If the fever has subsided, then the fever comes back and the cough increases.
In such cases, seeking medical advice promptly can prevent serious complications.
What are the important questions I should ask my doctor?
If you go to see a doctor, it's a good idea to ask questions like these to get a clear understanding of your condition:
- Do I really have `(H1N1)`, or some other flu?
- Do I need special treatment for this?
- Is it appropriate for me to get the flu vaccine? When should I get it?
- If I am prescribed antiviral medicine, how long should I take it and how exactly should I take it?
- After I recover from swine flu, when can I go back to work or school? How long will it take for me to stop spreading the disease to others?
- What kinds of things should I be especially careful about?
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Swine flu (H1N1) was once a global pandemic. But now the virus has been controlled, meaning it has become a normal seasonal flu virus. But that doesn't mean people can't still get sick or get worse from (H1N1). People can still get it, and some people can get it very badly, especially those with weakened immune systems, those with chronic illnesses, and young children.
So, if you feel like you have a fever, don't panic, get plenty of rest, and drink fluids. If your symptoms seem to be getting worse, or if they don't go away after a few days, definitely see a doctor. Taking care of yourself is the most important thing. We also need to take responsibility to prevent spreading the disease to others.
Let's all try to stay healthy and protect ourselves from these diseases!
` Swine flu, H1N1, flu, virus, pandemic, symptoms, treatment, prevention, influenza
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