Here are the most common swine flu symptoms and prevention tips

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Here are the most common swine flu symptoms and prevention tips

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Also known as the H1N1 virus, swine flu can be described as the new strain of virus-causing symptoms similar to a regular flu.

Said to have their origins in pigs, it is believed to spread to humans and are found to be contagious between humans.

When swine flu became a pandemic affecting people across continents in 2009, it hit the headlines. With the WHO declaring H1N1 pandemic in August 2010, it came to be identified among the regular human flu virus. Usually swine flu also spreads during the flu seasons.

Swine flu causes

Swine flu is caused by a strain of influenza virus that otherwise infects pigs only. It is only transmitted between humans and not between the animals and humans. Swine flu is highly contagious. It can spread through mucous particle and saliva of the infected persons. People can spread it by sneezing and coughing. You might contact it by touching a surface covered by swine flu germs and then touching your eyes or nose.
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Swine flu symptoms

The symptoms of swine flu are akin to the symptoms one will report during a regular influenza attack. The common symptoms of swine flu include fever, chill, cough, sore throat, running nose, stuffy nose, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, body pains and others.

How is swine flu diagnosed?

Swine flu infection can be diagnosed by sampling the fluid collected from your body. For collecting the sample, the medical professional might swab your throat or nose. There are different kinds of genetic and genetic and laboratory techniques to identify the specific kind of virus.

The risks associated with swine flu

The severe conditions of swine flu can be deadly and dangerous. Majority of the fatal conditions of the disease happens with people who are carrying other chronic conditions like AIDS or HIV. However, most other people reported with swine flu recover in course of time and do not risk the normal life expectancy.
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Majority of cases reporting swine flu attack do not need medications. Unless you are at the risk of developing some medical complications from swine flu, you need not see a doctor for treatment at all. However, enough care must be taken to relieve you of the symptoms and preventing the spread of the virus to other people around you.

How to prevent swine flu

Getting a yearly vaccination is the best way to prevent swine flu. The other proven ways to avoid swine flu are washing hands frequently with soap or hand sanitizer, not touching your nose, eyes or mouth after touching the gadgets and things around you that might have these germs, staying at home when you are ill, and avoiding the crowds during the swine flu seasons. The surfaces of telephones and tabletops can have these virus. Hence never touch to wash your hands after handling such items that are prone to be infected.

During the swine flu season, it is always good to follow the health recommendations regarding school closures or not going in the crowds. Organizations like CDC, National Institutes of Health, WHO or other public and governmental health institutions might issue these recommendations when appropriate. Note that the flu season can shift from one year to another. It is also possible to get swine flu in any other time of the year.
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