Why is it in the News?

UK public health officials recently said they had confirmed a first human case of a swine flu strain similar to one that has been circulating in pigs.

About Swine Flu:

• Swine flu, scientifically known as H1N1 influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the H1N1 virus that commonly affects pigs.
• However, this virus can also infect humans, leading to a range of symptoms from mild to severe, and in some cases, it can be fatal.
• The virus spreads among humans through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, making it highly transmissible.
• Swine flu symptoms resemble those of seasonal influenza, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue.
• In severe cases, individuals may experience respiratory distress and pneumonia.
• One of the distinctive features of the H1N1 virus is its ability to affect younger age groups more severely compared to typical seasonal flu viruses.
• The World Health Organization declared a global pandemic of H1N1 influenza in 2009, emphasizing the need for international cooperation in monitoring and controlling the spread of the virus.
• Oseltamivir is an antiviral medication used to treat and prevent influenza A and influenza B.