Swine Flu Virus (H1N1) Prognosis: Epidemic or Pandemic

H1N1, or swine flu, first appeared during the 2009 flu season and quickly caused fear and confusion around the world. The virus spreads when you touch an infected surface or breathe cough and sneeze droplets in the air. If you are infected, you can be contagious for up to 10 days. The symptoms are the same as the seasonal flu -- cough, sore throat, and body aches. Young children, pregnant women, and older adults are more likely to develop complications. Tamiflu and Relenza can treat or prevent swine flu. The CDC recommends for the 2014-2015 flu season that everyone 6 months old and older should get a flu shot to prevent or reduce the chance of getting the flu. The best way to prevent novel H1N1 swine flu is vaccination. The 2014 CDC recommendations that apply to H1N1, H3N2, and other flu viruses are almost identical to those above-mentioned recommendations for patients at risk when vaccine doses are limited and are as follows.

·         Are aged 6 months through 4 years (59 months)

·         Are aged 50 years and older

·  Have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)

·  Are immunosuppressed (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus)

·            Are aged 6 months through 18 years and receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye's syndrome after influenza virus infection

A newly approved inactivated trivalent vaccine containing 60 mcg of hemagglutinin antigen per influenza vaccine virus strain (Fluzone High-Dose [Sanofi Pasteur]) is an alternative inactivated vaccine for people 65 years of age and older.

But an annual flu shot is your best bet against this virus. In the wake of a swine flu outbreak, which has so far claimed 191 lives, the Centre on Monday said mortality on account of the flu can be contained with immediate medical intervention. There have been 2038 cases of swine flu reported across the country in 2015, with Telangana reporting the highest number of cases at 629 and 34 deaths, followed by Delhi with 488 cases and 5 deaths, Gujarat with 309 cases and 38 deaths and Rajasthan with 205 cases and 49 deaths.

Picture Showing the Prevalence of Swine Flu in India

Health Ministry officials said the Delhi's low mortality is attributable to the high awareness about the flu, which led to early detection and timely treatment. “Despite having a very high number of cases reported, Delhi has had fewer deaths only because of quick diagnosis and treatment,”said Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, additional secretary in the Health Ministry.

Dr. Panda said swine flu is a seasonal flu and can be managed with treatment, but he cautioned against using Tamiflu against medical advice. “The drug should not be taken as a precaution and without the prescription of a doctor, as it can lead to resistance of the drug.”

In 2012 there were 5044 cases of swine flu reported and 405 deaths, in 2013, the swine flu cases were 5253 and 699 deaths, in 2014, there were 937 cases and 238 deaths.

POSTED BY:-
Bioinformatics Department