Swine influenza

Swine influenza (also known as swine flu) is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in a barking cough, decreased appetite, and nasal secretions. These viruses can also infect humans and other animals.

Overview

Swine influenza is common in pigs worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human flu, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood. If transmission does cause human flu, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection.

Symptoms

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.

Prevention

Prevention of swine influenza has three components: prevention in pigs, prevention of transmission to humans, and prevention of its spread among humans.

Treatment

Antiviral drugs for the flu can be given to reduce the severity and duration of the illness. There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza: amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir.

See also

• Influenza vaccine
• Influenza A virus subtype H1N1
• Pandemic H1N1/09 virus

Swine influenza Resources
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