Swine influenzaor

H1N1 fluor

swine fluor

hog fluor

pig flu

• AGENT FAMILY-orthomyxoviridae There are 3 viral subtypes typeA,typeB,typeC. Both

influenza A &B have 2 distinct surface antigens-

Haemagglutinin(H)-initiates infection following attachment

Neuraminidase(N)-responsible for release of virus

influenza A is frequently subject to antigenic variation,both SHIFT & DRIFT

Virus family: Orthomyxovirus

Two surface proteins:− Hemagglutinin (H)

15 types: H1 – H15– Neuraminidase (N)

• 9 types: N1 – N9

Influenza Virus

Why Called as Swine Flu• Although called

swine flu due to it predominantly containing swine strains, the World Organisation for Animal Health have proposed the name North American influenza.

Flu in Pigs Identified

• By May 2, some pigs in Canada were diagnosed with H1N1.

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) indicates that it has found H1N1 flu virus in a swine herd in Alberta.

• RESERVOIR OF INFECTION-VARIETY OF ANIMALS & BIRDS(SWINE,HORSES,DOGS,CATS,POULTRY,WILD BIRDS) THEY PROVIDE NEW STRINS OF INFLUENZA VIRUS BY RECOMBINATION BETWEEN INFLUENZA VIRUSES OF MAN,ANIMALS & BIRDS

• AGE & SEX-ALL AGES AND SEXES

• SEASON-WINTER OR RAINY SEASON• HIGH RISK GROUPS: OLD PEOPLE ABOVE 65 YRS OF AGE CHILDREN UNDER 18 MONTHS PERSONS WITH DIABETES PERSONS WITH CHRONIC HEART DS,KIDNEY &

RESPIRATORY AILMENTS PEOPLE IN OVERCROWDING-

SCHOOLS,SHIPS,INSTITUTIONS PEOPLE TRAVELLING ABROAD

Incubation period –

• range from 1-7 days, more likely 1-4 days

CLINICAL FEATURES• The symptoms of swine flu in

people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

• Diarrhea and vomiting may also be associated with swine flu.

• Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

• Pneumonia and Respiratory failure are rare and most dreaded complications.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: • Fast breathing or trouble breathing • Bluish skin color • Not drinking enough fluids • Not waking up or not interacting • Being so irritable that the child does

not want to be held.• Flu-like symptoms improve but then

return with fever and worse cough • Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:• Difficulty breathing or

shortness of breath • Pain or pressure in the

chest or abdomen • Sudden dizziness • Confusion • Severe or persistent

vomiting

Laboratory diagnoses• VIRUS ISOLATION – Nasopharangeal

secretions are collected and virus is detected by indirect flourescent antibody technique.

• PAIRED SERA – A serodiagnosis of strain A or B can be made by examination of two serum specimens (2ml each) from a patient, one taken as early as possible in the acute phase of the disease (4th to 5th day) and another taken 10 to 14 days after the onset i.e. convalescent stage.

• This is the time when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus.

• However, some persons, especially children and old people may shed virus for 10 days or longer.

PREVENTION• 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.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can spread this way.

• Good ventilation of public buildings and avoidance of crowded places during epidemics.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Hygienic practices during handling of poultry products as well as thorough cooking.

• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

• Yes. The US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses.

• Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.

• If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you 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).

• IUPAC NAME: ethyl(3R,4R,5S)-5-amino-4-

acetamide-3-(pentan-3-yloxy)cyclohex-1-ene-1carboxylate

It is a neuraminidase inhibitor,serving as a competitive inhibitor towards sialic acid,found on the surface proteins of normal host cells.By blocking the activity of the neuraminidase,oseltamivir prevents new viral particles from being released by infected cells.

Acts as a transition state analogue inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase,preventing progeny virions from detaching from infected cells.

VACCINE FOR PANDEMIC FLU

• Because the virus is new, there will be no vaccine ready to protect against pandemic flu.

• Vaccine against Swine Flu virus H1N1 needs at least 6-12 months to be produced.

• Seasonal flu vaccine or past flu immunization will not provide protection.

Swine flu: Homoeopathy can give a gentler, painless cure

Homeopathic Remedies for Swine Flu.• HOMOEOPATHY: REAL CURE. GENTLEST CURE.SCOPE….. Homoeopathic remedies are taken in non-toxic micro doses

and are safe for all age groups.• Homoeopathy was successful in treating the

spanishflu epidemic of 1918 and can provide answers to questions about the 2009 Swine Flu.

• Mortality rate of people treated with traditional medicine and drugs was 30 percent, those treated by homeopathic physicians had mortality rate of 1.05 percent.

FOR 2009 SWINE FLU • INFLUENZINUM may be taken as a preventive.

• Gelsemium. [Gels]This remedy corresponds to the commencement of the trouble, when the patient is weak, tired and aches throughout the body. It removes speedily the intense aching and muscular soreness. There is constant chilliness and the patient hugs the fire; the fever is less acute than that of Aconite, and the cough is hard and painful.

DULL, DIZZY, DROWSY are the keynotes for the remedy.

• Baptisia.Influenza with marked gastro-intestinal symptoms

may need this remedy, especially when there are putrid diarrhoea stools. Clarke considers this remedy the nearest specific for the disease; he prefers the 30th potency.

• Eupatorium perfoliatum.This remedy has much soreness and aching of the

entire body; hoarseness and cough, with great soreness of the larynx and upper respiratory tract. Coryza with thirst. Drinking causes vomiting. The cough is a very shattering one, hurts the head and chest, and as in Drosera, the patient holds the chest with the hands. The breakbone pains are characteristic of the remedy.

• Arsenicum. [Ars]This remedy covers more phases of flu than perhaps

any other remedy. Hughes believes that it will cut short an attack, especially when there is a copious flow, prostration and paroxysmal coryza. Its periodicity makes it suitable to epidemics, and it suits the early symptoms when the affection is in the upper portion of the respiratory tract.

• Sabadilla. [Sabad]Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and

lachrymation on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the pain is worse on empty swallowing; the sneezing is excessive, shaking the whole body.

• Phosphorus.It may be indicated, especially when the trouble moves

towards the chest. It is a very useful remedy for the debility. as it is usually of the pure nervous type. It is the great post-influenza "tonic”.

• Allium cepa. [All-c]Profuse catarrhal coryza; the nose runs freely, there is

sneezing, irritability cough, the face is swollen and looks inflamed. Camphora. This remedy is often sufficient at the outset to cut short an attack, or at least modify the severity.

• LYCOPERSICUM ESCULENTUM-marked symptoms of rheumatism & influenza.pains after influenza.

SOME HOME REMEDIES (daadi maa ke nuskhe)1. Inhale clove oil for one second.2. Chew 1 clove a day.3. Eat raw onion, garlic & ginger.4. Drink hot milk with 2 gm of turmeric.5. Consume plenty of vitamin C fruits.6. Use ‘nilgiri oil’ on handkerchiefs.