What Is Swine Flu (H1N1 Virus) – Key Facts One Should Be Aware Of This Virus?

Natural remedies for swine flu

Does swine flu cause damaging effects on the human body? Do swine cause swine flu? Can people die of swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. These strains are found in swine. Various reports state that many lives are lost across the world due to this health condition.

Swine flu has the ability to weaken the immune system irrespective of the age or gender of the person diagnosed with it. It affects the world population. The symptoms of swine flu resemble to those of other influenza infections caused by the virus, but swine flu can be harder to treat.

Under certain conditions, people eagerly resort to few home remedies, backing their effectiveness, to combat swine flu or prevent it before it can cause significant side effects to them.

What are the causes of swine flu?

The H1N1 flu, is popularly referred to as swine flu. It is primarily caused by the H1N1 strain of the influenza virus. H1N1 may be a type of influenza A virus, and it among several flu virus strains that can cause seasonal flu. The symptoms of the H1N1 flu are identical to those of the seasonal flu, therefore compelling proper diagnosis.

In the spring of 2009, scientists recognised a specific strain of flu virus known as H1N1. This virus may be a mix of viruses from swine, birds and humans that causes human disease. During the same flu season, H1N1 caused significant respiratory tract infections in humans, commonly referred to as swine flu.

Because numerous people around the globe fell sick, the World Health Organization declared the swine flu or H1N1 flu pandemic. Most of us are aware of the term -Pandemic after the latest global pandemic COVID- 19. Gladly, in 2010 WHO declared the pandemic was over. After the pandemic, the H1N1 flu virus gradually became one of the many strains that cause seasonal flu.

A flu vaccine can help protect against the H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu. The H1N1 virus strain is included, in small doses, in the flu vaccine to help the body fight against the infection.

Influenza viruses like H1N1 will infect the cells that line around the nose, throat and lungs. The virus enters the body once we inhale contaminated droplets or acquire the live virus from a contaminated surface to the eyes, nose or mouth.

A myth that has been going around for a while is many people believe a person can get swine flu by consuming pork. The chances of getting food poisoning due to salmonella virus is greater if the meat is not properly cooked. But you can’t catch swine flu from eating pork.

What are the symptoms of Swine flu?

Some common symptoms of swine flu are similar to other flu, making a person exhibit the following symptoms.

• Fever
• Headache
• Cough
• Weakness
• Body ache
• Difficulty in breathing
• Chills and
• Sore throat

Can we manage the symptoms of swine flu naturally?

One good news is that we can manage the symptoms of swine flu in the comfort of our homes, as most people do. Here is a list of ingredients to manage symptoms of swine flu

Garlic

This versatile herb is great for treating many health conditions. The presence of allicin in garlic stimulates the antioxidants within the body, enabling them to improve the overall immunity in the body. Consuming two pods of garlic with warm water on an empty stomach regularly can help the body in various ways. No wonder garlic is a staple in many Indian households.

Basil

Basil, or Tulsi, is a fragrant herb highly venerated in Hinduism as a holy herb. This wonderful herb can work miracles on the body in various health conditions as it is believed to contain many medical properties. Tulsi can keep the body healthy by clearing the infection. It can significantly strengthen your system to prevent an attack by swine flu.

Water

During swine influenza, we may exhibit symptoms like vomiting, frequent urination, increased sweating, and diarrhoea. By doing so it can result in dehydration. Hence, we need to consume a lot of water to stay hydrated. Water also can help in flushing the toxins out of the body.

Ginseng

Ginseng and its extracts effectively treat the swine influenza virus. This is often evident in several studies done recently. The ginseng herb contains a highly encouraging impact on the swine flu viral strains in the body that are causing the disease. The patients diagnosed with the swine influenza virus are advised to take a cup of ginseng daily to fight the disease.

Milk with turmeric powder

Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory properties. This herb is also a natural antioxidant. For an extended time in history, it’s been widely used for treating common colds and flu,  prevent spreading infections, and healing physical injuries. Add a pinch of turmeric to warm water or a glass of milk and take it everyday at night. This will help fight the disease caused by swine flu.

Indian Gooseberry (amla)

Indian gooseberries are a good source of vitamin C. This fruit has potent immune-boosting properties. It can enhance the resistance of the body to certain infections. Just eat the whole fruit or consume its juice daily to promote immune function.

Olive leaves

The medicinal properties of olive herbs are often not known to many. They contain polyphenols and flavonoids.

The olive herb can efficiently help fight the flu’s symptoms, including nausea, fever, chill and headache.

Swine flu is a human respiratory infection from an influenza virus strain from swine. Per annum, this deadly disease claims millions of lives across the globe. Regardless of age or gender, swine influenza is a disease which weakens the immune system and increases mortality risk in people. The symptoms of this infection aren’t very different from any other respiratory influenza. They include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Cough
• Weakness
• Body ache
• Difficulty in breathing
• Chills
• Sore throat

Although the symptoms are similar to ordinary flu, swine influenza is an infection that is much harder to treat. Despite the various treatments available for this disease.

Prevention of Swine flu

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advices people to get their annual flu vaccination doses.

A flu vaccine will reduce the risk of developing the flu and reduces the severity of the flu symptoms. It cuts down the chances of being hospitalised.

Flu vaccination is essential in the current flu season as the infection of swine flu and coronavirus disease 2019 cause similar symptoms.

Flu vaccination could reduce symptoms which may be often confused with the symptoms caused by COVID-19. Preventing the flu or reducing the severity of flu illness can lessen the number of patients needing to stay in the hospital for long time.

The flu vaccine is available as injections and as a nasal spray for easy use. The nasal spray is safe to use in healthy people across various ages.

Following such measures can help prevent the flu and contain its spread:

Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based sanitiser.

It is basic manners to cover when you cough or sneeze. Cough or sneeze into a tissue and don’t forget to wash your hands.

Avoid touching your face.  Regularly clean often-touched surfaces to stop the spread of infection from a character with the virus on it to your body.

Avoid contact. Stand back from crowds. Avoid contact with sick people.

If anyone has a chronic medical condition like asthma it is better to avoid swine barns at seasonal fairs and elsewhere.

Is doctor consultation necessary?

Usually, many people try home remedies to deal with the flu and its symptoms. Sometimes they succeed with their attempt. However, it is crucial to remember that a doctor’s consultation and guidance is necessary to prevent the flu from causing further health complications.

To sum up

Swine flu is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. These strains are found in swine. Various reports state that many lives are lost across the world due to this health condition.

Swine flu has the ability to weaken the immune system irrespective of the age or gender of the person diagnosed with it. It affects the world population.  It is primarily caused by the H1N1 strain of the influenza virus. H1N1 may be a type of influenza A virus, and among several flu virus strains that can cause seasonal flu.

Although the symptoms are similar to ordinary flu, swine influenza is an infection that is much harder to treat. It is crucial to remember that a doctor’s consultation and guidance is necessary to prevent the flu from causing further health complications.

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