In recent times, swine flu has become one of the most threatening diseases troubling the people of India. While the significant outbreak shook the country in 2015, number of swine flu cases have shown a little drop since then. Even 2019 has witnessed a significant number of swine flu cases in just two months with over 9000 people infected with the H1N1 virus. One of the reasons why the cases are on the rise is that the symptoms of swine flu are relatively similar to that of the normal flu. Therefore, it is crucial that people must learn about swine flu and adopt healthy practices to prevent it. From cleaning hands with Dettol Hand Wash to getting vaccinated, there are various preventive measures that can protect one against the H1N1 virus.
Another way to save oneself from the virus is to act sooner when experiencing early symptoms. In this article, we have jotted down such early alarms of swine flu you should never ignore. But before moving to signs and symptoms, let us inform you about the causes of swine flu.
Causes of Swine Flu
Swine flu is caused by H1N1 virus – a strain of influenza that is easily transferable among humans. The extent of contagiousness is such that the virus can cause a flu pandemic just the way it happened in 2009. The virus enters your body through open skin or eyes, nose and mouth during coughing and sneezing. The virus usually affects pigs; however, eating well-cooked pork cannot be counted among the causes of swine flu in humans.
While swine flu virus can infect anyone, children, pregnant women and older adults are more prone to it due to lower immunity. In addition, people with critical illnesses like asthma and diabetes are also more vulnerable to the swine flu virus. Thus, such people should take extra precautions like washing hands regularly with Dettol Hand Wash to protect themselves against the disease.
Early Signs and Symptoms
Swine flu symptoms are quite identical to normal flu. However, unlike normal flu, the symptoms of swine flu can lead to fatal issues like pneumonia if not treated well on time. Here are some of the early ones that you shouldn’t ignore:
- Fever, which is usually high, but is sometimes absent
- Cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Diarrhoea and vomiting occasionally
Upon experiencing these symptoms, visit a doctor for diagnosis and timely treatment. At times, people opt for home remedies instead of going to the doctor. People should avoid self-treatment and contact a physician soon if they start experiencing severe symptoms like:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Pain in the abdomen
- Chest pain
- Dizziness and confusion
- Severe vomiting
If an infant or child shows such signs, one should right away seek medical help to avoid any mishappening.
Swine Flu Prevention
To help reduce the chances of getting swine flu, we have listed below some prevention measures one can adopt. Take a look:
- Frequently wash your hands with Dettol Hand Wash
- Avoid crowded places and limit contact with people who have swine flu
- Use Dettol Hand Sanitizer when travelling
- Get vaccinated every year
- Clean your home thoroughly and use disinfectant to make it germ-free
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes
- Cover your mouth while coughing and sneezing
- Stay at home when you experience swine flu-like symptoms
Follow these preventive measures, and you can significantly reduce your chances of getting infected with the H1N1 virus. For information related to vaccines, seek advice from a healthcare professional.
Summing Up Read it all? Well, we’re sure you now understand how to cope with swine flu. Just remember that whenever you feel the above-listed signs and symptoms, get yourself checked immediately. Moreover, do follow and inform others about the preventive measures to avoid the spread of swine flu.
