Environmental Health Project: Swine Flu

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Introduction
H1N1 Influenza
Symptoms of H1N1 virus
Causes of swine flu
H1N1 virus and pregnant women
Treatments for H1N1 virus (swine flu)
Global Spread of Swine Flu and people
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Swine Flu has been a recent threat to humans all around the globe. The virus is severe in terms of effectiveness and can lead to fatal results. This paper is going to highlight all the points that may assist in increasing the awareness about H1N1 virus, its causes, preventions and post- disease curing techniques.

H1N1 Influenza

The published material by V. Racaniello (2009) states that the major groups of Islamic and Jewish background have at last, persuaded the WHO (World Health Organization) to replace the name Swine Flu virus to a more specific name as H1N1 virus. Like any other type of influenza, H1N1 also as an H protein, hem-agglutinin, which actually permits the germ to join to human host cell, and N proteins called neuraminidase, which demolishes mucous. Since there are various forms of H and N elements, the numbers following H and N depict the particular form of hem-agglutinin and neuraminidase present in the virus. Hem-agglutinin and neuraminidase are vital since they are critical proteins that let the virus contaminate people. For instance, a sore throat is a result of destroyed mucous layer due to neuraminidase in which the vulnerable cells are infected by hem-agglutinin causing the final destruction of cells. The virus has two types, H1N1 and H3N2. Both have been the major cause of respiratory contagions dating back to 1977. Earlier, it was widely understood that, there is a single form of virus that prevails each season. Although the latest research has proved that vital modification in the shell glycoprotein of this virus known as the antigenic shift, lead to global outbreak of flu identified as pandemics. Up till now six forms of antigenic shift has been recognized since 1889. Each of the pandemic carries HA and NA proteins that have been deficient in individuals thus reducing the immunity levels parallel to non-existence (Racaniello, 2009).

Symptoms of H1N1 virus

According to the article of Genevive Kieger (2009), the symptoms of the H1N1 virus are identical to the symptoms of normal flu. A regular fever of about 100 F, occurs in most of the cases. Other symptoms include dry cough, sore throat and nasal stuffness. Headaches, chills and fatigue also indicate flu and in some cases diarrhea and vomiting is observed also. These symptoms however do not require medical assistance unless they get severe. Drinking a lot of fluids and resting is suggested often as the main counterattack until the position gets serious and medical attention is required. Consulting to a doctor immediately, is necessary for people who are suffering from cancer, blood disorders, diabetes, chronic heart and lung diseases, kidney and liver disorders, people with diluted immune systems, pregnant women and children under the age of 5. According to CDC, the caution signs of that indicate serious swine flu attacks on adults include breathing problems, dizziness and confusion, vomiting and pains in the chest and abdominal regions.

Children to get infected tend to breath with a faster rate, the color of their skin changes to bluish or gray. Severe vomiting and lack of interaction and awakeness also indicates the same symptom. Flu like symptoms improve and come back with fever and bad cough (Kiger, 2009).

Causes of swine flu

The article published by L. Chang ( 2009) The Cold & Flu Health Center highlights the major causes that result in the presence and infection of the H1N1 virus having an effect on humans. Swine flu is contagious and communicable form of disease that disseminates almost just in the identical manner as the normal regular flu does. People, who are considered as infected with this virus, tend to sneeze and cough frequently, releasing micro globules in the ambient air. Engaging in contact passively with these particles or touching areas where the infected individual has touched lately (such as door knobs and washroom sinks, towels and drinking utensils) can cause an infection of H1N1 swine flu. The period of being infectious differ from children to adults. Children can remain transmittable for about 10 days. Adults can be the same up to 7 days after they get sick. Swine flu can be communicable even before the individual show indications of the disease. Although the name of the germ depicts severe criticism towards pigs, swine flu doesn’t transmit through eating pork products like bacon, ham and other forms of the meat. Although it is recommended by health related organizations to cook the pork until it rises to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (Chang, 2009).

H1N1 virus and pregnant women

As written by Tom Watkins (2009) in the article, the study propose that pregnant women being contaminated with swine flu, the H1N1 virus, use antiviral drugs to save themselves as well as their unborn babies from the harmful effects. Dr. Denise J. Jamieson who is the leading creator of this study and an officer at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, has believed that the patients that feel sick during pregnancy are required to seek assistance from their health care providers and their health care providers should prescribe the antiviral drugs very promptly. The doctor also advised to prescribe the drugs irrespective to the concerns regarding the potential consequences on the fetuses since some practitioners are hesitant and refrain from taking the risk of providing drugs on their own behalf. An obstetrician cum gynecologist stated that pregnant women are more severely attacked and infected by influenza in this situation and the risks do hereby are overshadowed by the benefits. Dr. Jamieson reported that all pregnant women were healthy before they got infected. Due to the infection they initiated to develop viral pneumonia which further led them to sensitive respiratory pains which was quite agonizing and required ventilators to assist them in breathing. The doctor also agreed that the number of deaths was however little yet significant enough to raise concern since it consisted of around 6 percent of pregnant women off the total 266 affected death caused by H1N1 as reported by the CDC up till now. The percentage is almost six times higher than the percentage of U.S. women who tend to be expecting birth at any time. Additionally, women who are pregnant and infect with swine flu were four times higher in the ratio of sick people in the whole populace to get hospitalized. The study concerned that as an increase due to the willing of doctors who preferred admitting a pregnant woman than a normal person with identical indications. Pregnancy is certainly impacts in duration of time involving pain and risk thus affecting the abilities of counterattacking illnesses and diseases.

It is not clear whether that immunological shift interprets a greater chance of constricting the germs, it is certain that the results can be more serious among pregnant women who are infected with H1N1 virus (Watkins, 2009).

Treatments for H1N1 virus (swine flu)

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (2009) there are some treatments and precautions advised by medical boards and doctors who are aware of the fact. Covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing is essential in prevention from the virus. The tissue should be disposed off after single usage. Hands should we washed with soap and water constantly since hands are in frequent use and vulnerability to this virus is on a higher level. Alcohol based cleansers are an effective germicide that prevents from being infected by touch-based items. Interactions with individuals who are sick especially those who carry flu like indications should be kept distant. Touching one’s own eyes mouth and nose should be avoided since it is the most alleviated way of disseminating germs. One should stay at home for at least 7 days after the signs are revealed, as it will prevent others to attract the virus and spreading it further.

There are vaccines recommended by certain boards like PHAC (Public Health Agency of Canada that should be given only in serious conditions. Mild levels of the disease don’t require medical treatment except in the case of pregnant women. There are anti-viral drugs available on prescription only. Tami-flu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) are two vital antiviral drugs that can be given to prevent the fatal results of swine flu. These drugs are recommended to be taken under serious conditions, within 48 hours of sickness. They tend to reduce the ability of viruses to duplicate but they do not guarantee or are meant to supply resistance in opposition to the illness. The government aims to purchase 50.4 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccines in order to fulfill the capacity of provincial, territorial and federal populace (PHAC, 2009).

Global Spread of Swine Flu and people

According to World Health Organization (2009) there have been more than 414900 definite cases around the globe consisting of nearly 5000 deaths due to this H1N1 swine flu. The update fetched on 17^th October 2009 demonstrates the recent movement of the virus in other parts of the world like Trinidad, Tobago, Iceland, Sudan, Mongolia, Rwanda and Sao Tome, and Principe. The cumulative table (see Figure 1) shows the complete range of affected patients and deaths region wise. Most of the cases are seen in the American region as well death toll is significantly higher than other areas. Many countries have closed the count of individual case that bear illness of a less risky level, the count has decreased than the exact number of patients that have occurred. On the other hand, the tropical areas of the world have shown relative decrease in the pandemic related activity and the rate of illness there is lowering down. Asia reports to have a decrease in the rates of H1N1 virus infections also. The temperate region has no impacts of the deadly virus in the past week also (WHO, 2009).

Conclusion

It can be concluded that any virus which is defined as deadly can be prevented if necessary precautions are taken and by chance if the virus hits the host human cells, then adequate medical assistance and prescribed antiviral drugs can reduce the effects as a consequence of securing the life of the affected.

References

Chang, L. (2009). H1N1 Flu Virus (Swine Flu): The Cold & Flu Health Center. Web.

Kiger, G. (2009). What are the symptoms of swine flu? Web.

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2009). H1N1 Flu Virus – Frequently Asked Questions. Web.

Racaniello, V. (2009). Origin of current influenza H1N1 virus. Web.

Watkins, T. (2009). Study: H1N1 virus more severely affects pregnant women. Web.

WHO. Global Alert and Response – Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 – update 71. Web.

Click Here To Order Now!