The Symptoms and Diagnosis of Swine Flu

Swine Flu (swine influenza) is basically a disease of pigs caused by one of many Influenza A viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in nasal secretions, a barking-like cough, decreased appetite, and listless behavior. It is spread among pigs by direct and indirect contact, aerosols, and from pigs that are infected but do not have symptoms.

Symptoms of Swine Flu are
fever
cough
running nose
nasal secretions
unusual tiredness
headache
loss of appetite

Some patients also suffer from symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some patients may also develop severe respiratory symptoms and need respiratory support. Patients can get pneumonia if the viral infection persists and some can develop seizures. People from the age group of 25-64 are at higher risk because of chronic health disorders such as asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system. Death often occurs from secondary bacterial infection of the lungs.

Swine Flu Symptoms are easy to confuse with those of seasonal flu. If a person is suspected then it's important to get tested for the H1N1 to begin with the treatment quickly.

Diagnosis of Swine Flu

Swine Flu is diagnosed clinically by the patient's history of association with people known to have the disease and their symptoms listed above. As a part of Swine Flu Diagnosis it is also important to consider if he has traveled to a high risk area or has been in contact with an infected person. Confirmation is required using a ‘Swine Influenza Test Kit’ to analyze samples from nasal, nasopharyngeal or throat swabs to see if the patient is infected with influenza A or B virus. Most of the tests can distinguish between A and B types. The test can be negative or positive for type A and B. If the test is positive for type B, the flu is not likely to be swine flu. If it is positive for type A, the person could have a conventional flu strain or swine flu (H1N1).

Swine Flu (H1N1) is definitively diagnosed by identifying the particular antigens associated with the virus type. In general, this test is done in a specialized laboratory and is not done by many doctors' offices or hospital laboratories. However, doctors' offices are able to send specimens to specialized laboratories if necessary.

A correct Swine Flu diagnosis is important to keep the spread of the disease under check.

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