2009 H1N1 influenza virus: Difference between revisions
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The '''2009 H1N1 [[influenza virus]], commonly referred to as '''swine flu''', is an [[influenza A virus]], first discovered in April 2009, which contains human, [[porcine]] and [[avian]] genes.(1) Although it contains genes normally found in North American swine, it also contains two genes found in European and Asian swine.(2) Those infected with the H1N1 virus report symptoms similar to those observed in most influenza A viral infections, namely fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and a significant fraction of those afflicted report [[diarrhea]] and vomiting. It may cause severe illness and death. Although seasonal influenza normally affects certain populations, including young children, people over 65 years of age, pregnant women, and the chronically ill, population related risks are yet to be determined for this virus. The virus is contagious so common health care precautions should be taken to avoid contracting this flu. | The '''2009 H1N1 [[influenza virus]]''', commonly referred to as '''swine flu''', is an [[influenza A virus]], first discovered in April 2009, which contains human, [[porcine]] and [[avian]] genes.(1) Although it contains genes normally found in North American swine, it also contains two genes found in European and Asian swine.(2) Those infected with the H1N1 virus report symptoms similar to those observed in most influenza A viral infections, namely fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and a significant fraction of those afflicted report [[diarrhea]] and vomiting. It may cause severe illness and death. Although seasonal influenza normally affects certain populations, including young children, people over 65 years of age, pregnant women, and the chronically ill, population related risks are yet to be determined for this virus. The virus is contagious so common health care precautions should be taken to avoid contracting this flu. | ||
==Food, Water and Reacreation== | ==Food, Water and Reacreation== | ||
One can not become infected by the swine flu from eating properly cooked pork products. Based on previous studies of the [[H5N1 avian flu]], it is expected that chlorine levels used in municipal water supplies should be sufficient to kill the H1N1 virus. Likewise, properly treated water at swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational water venues should be free of the virus. The virus is contagious so common health care precautions should be taken to avoid contracting this flu. | One can not become infected by the swine flu from eating properly cooked pork products. Based on previous studies of the [[H5N1 avian flu]], it is expected that chlorine levels used in municipal water supplies should be sufficient to kill the H1N1 virus. Likewise, properly treated water at swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational water venues should be free of the virus. The virus is contagious so common health care precautions should be taken to avoid contracting this flu. | ||
==General precautions== | |||
General good health practices should be taken to avoid this and other illnesses. Most importantly, was your hands often, and avoid sick persons and unnecessarily touching surfaces. Stay fit by eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, get sufficient sleep each day, and excercise. The use of antibacterial soaps are no better than regular soaps at removing this virus from your hands. | |||
== Medications and Infectivity== | |||
The [[antiviral drug]]s [[oseltamivir]] and/or [[zanamivir]] are recommended by the [[Centers for Disease Control]] for the treatment and/or prevention of 2009 H1N1. These antiviral drugs inhibit the reproductive cycle of the virus, thereby ameliorating the severity and length of illness. Although the period of infectivity for a person with H1N1 has yet to be determined, persons with influenza are typically contagious beginning 1 day before the onset of symptoms and 7 days after symptom onset. Childrem may be contagious for a longer time period. | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
(1) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/FLU/SwineFlu.html NCBI list of deposited sequences for 2009 H1N1] | (1) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/FLU/SwineFlu.html NCBI list of deposited sequences for 2009 H1N1] | ||
(2) [http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm Swine Flu & You] | (2) [http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm Swine Flu & You] | ||
Revision as of 10:08, 3 May 2009
The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, is an influenza A virus, first discovered in April 2009, which contains human, porcine and avian genes.(1) Although it contains genes normally found in North American swine, it also contains two genes found in European and Asian swine.(2) Those infected with the H1N1 virus report symptoms similar to those observed in most influenza A viral infections, namely fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and a significant fraction of those afflicted report diarrhea and vomiting. It may cause severe illness and death. Although seasonal influenza normally affects certain populations, including young children, people over 65 years of age, pregnant women, and the chronically ill, population related risks are yet to be determined for this virus. The virus is contagious so common health care precautions should be taken to avoid contracting this flu.
Food, Water and Reacreation
One can not become infected by the swine flu from eating properly cooked pork products. Based on previous studies of the H5N1 avian flu, it is expected that chlorine levels used in municipal water supplies should be sufficient to kill the H1N1 virus. Likewise, properly treated water at swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational water venues should be free of the virus. The virus is contagious so common health care precautions should be taken to avoid contracting this flu.
General precautions
General good health practices should be taken to avoid this and other illnesses. Most importantly, was your hands often, and avoid sick persons and unnecessarily touching surfaces. Stay fit by eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, get sufficient sleep each day, and excercise. The use of antibacterial soaps are no better than regular soaps at removing this virus from your hands.
Medications and Infectivity
The antiviral drugs oseltamivir and/or zanamivir are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for the treatment and/or prevention of 2009 H1N1. These antiviral drugs inhibit the reproductive cycle of the virus, thereby ameliorating the severity and length of illness. Although the period of infectivity for a person with H1N1 has yet to be determined, persons with influenza are typically contagious beginning 1 day before the onset of symptoms and 7 days after symptom onset. Childrem may be contagious for a longer time period.
References
(1) NCBI list of deposited sequences for 2009 H1N1 (2) Swine Flu & You