Precaution Is Better Than Cure, Be Aware And Know The Difference Between Swine Flu And Seasonal Flu

Seasonal Influenza

Let us first tell you what is an seasonal influenza or flu. It is a respiratory track diseases caused by viruses. Which affect throat, nose, trachea and lungs. Normally this seasonal flu or influenza will go away after seven days or so. However if it stays long, then you need to have antibiotics after consulting a doctor. It may be a bacterial infection If it lasts for more than 7 days. Now coming to it's symptoms they are sore throat, mild fever, stuffy or running nose and fatigue. All these symptoms are mild. Our body is well adapted to cope up with this type of seasonal flu. Our immunity is familiar with this seasonal influenza and fights against it, so it normally goes without any complications.

Seasonal Influenza

However If seasonal flu is prolonged and left untreated, it can cause many complications such as pneumonia. The person infected with seasonal flu can transmit the infection to other persons after 24 hours after being infected.

Seasonal Influenza

There are almost 200 strains of viruses that can cause seasonal flu or cold. Flu (influenza) viruses are divided into three broad categories influenza A, B or C. Influenza A is the most common type. H1N1 flu is a variety of influenza A. It is the most deadly virus among all and enters the cells . Our body also can not offer immunity as it is a new virus for the immune system.

Swine flu

What is swine flu in humans? Now coming to swine flu that is in minds of almost every body these days. Swine flu as the name indicates initially spread to humans through infected pigs. It came into being in 2009 spring. This flu virus called as H1N1 initially targets the pigs. Any human having a close contact with infected pigs can get the viral transmitted in his or her body. Now the same infected person with swine flu can infect other human population. Swine flu is also a respiratory disease like seasonal flu. However it spreads deep inside the throat, trachea, lungs even stomach and intestines.

Swine flu

Our immunity is not prepared to deal with this virus as it is a new virus. Our immunity can't recognize it as it is not ready to fight against this virus. As a results H1N1 virus invades the body without any restriction. Pregnant women, elderly persons, children, immuno compromised patients such as with with kidney transplant and the persons who are having steroidal drugs are at more risk of developing swine flu. Swine flu treatment with early diagnosis is possible by anti viral drugs and proper care. If the infection is left unattended than it can enter blood and can also claim the life of the infected person. Here you need not to panic, have a close look on flu symptoms and visit your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect a swine flu.

Mode Of Transmission Of Swine Influenza

Swine flu can transmit from close contact with the infected pigs. Eating raw uncooked meat pork meat. Then the infected person can spread the disease to other person through the following means

Droplet Transmission

The flu spreads when you inhale or breathe in the droplets that are expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes or talks. Those within the zone affected by a cough or sneeze (up to two meters) are at high risk of infection.

Contact Transmission

Coming in contact with saliva, nasal and eye mucous secretions from infected people spreads the disease. It can also spread if the infected person shakes his infected hand with mucous on it with other person.

Patients Fomites

fomites are the personal things that an infected person uses such as towel, tisues, bedding etc. When a person uses these infected things then he may get the disease, The reason behind this is that virus is present in nasal secretions, saliva, phlegm of infected person. However you can also get the disease after touching anything that is being infected by mucous secretion of infected person.

Preventing Spread Of Disease

Wear face masks, this prevents inhalation of droplets coming from an infected person, avoid crowded places and travel to infection hit areas. It is advised to use a hand sanitizer when you travel and apply it before you eat anything. There is no way to prevent physical contact with the virus in places frequented by lots of people, such as supermarkets and trains, so it's vital to wash hands upon returning home. Please diligently wash your hands before preparing food or engaging in other activities.

Swine Flu Vaccine India

Vaccine is a inactivated form of a virus or bacteria that is admistered before getting the disease. It prepares the immunity to fight against the upcoming infection. It helps in production of antibodies (weapon against the infection) to fight against the upcoming infection. Immunity gets alert and offers protection. The flu vaccine is believed to be effective in preventing disease symptoms, lessening the effects of the flu, and preventing death in those who get infected with the flu virus after vaccination.(click next slide)

Swine Flu Vaccine India

However, flu vaccinations don't provide perfect immunity, and it is still possible to contract the flu after getting a flu shot. It's always important to take care to avoid getting infected. In addition, the protection that flu vaccines provide against severe illness and death can be seen as a great advantage. Still, in rare cases, strong reactions (side-effects) to vaccines can occur, causing severe post-vaccination health complications.

Incubation Period

It is the time when symptoms starts to appear after the entry of infectious substance (virus, bacteria) into the body. The World Health Organisation points out that globally after exposure, a person will come down with swine flu symptoms in 4 to 6 days (5 days on the average) or maximum after 7 days. This virus has a longer incubation period than seasonal flu which is 1 to 3 days.

Difference Between Swine Flu And Seasonal Flu

There is a very less or minor difference between the swine flu symptoms and seasonal flu. At times it gets hard to differentiate between the symptoms. Swine flu symptoms are more intense, painful, more high body temperature and one important thing is that , there is diarrhea and vomiting in case of swine flu which normally does not occur in seasonal flu.

Difference Between Swine Flu And Seasonal Flu

The symptoms of swine flu are fever, chills, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, sore throat, headache, persistent coughing, persistent fever, painful swallowing and the most important symptom that can differentiate it from seasonal flu is diarrhea and vomiting. The symptoms of seasonal flu or influenza are the same but they are mild and there is no diarrhea and vomiting.

Now Here We Will Point Out Some Major Differences Between Swine Flu And Seasonal Flu

Fever

Swine flu: Fever is usually present with H1N1 in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 101 degree
Seasonal Flu: Mild fever is common with the seasonal flu.

Coughing

Swine flu: A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with H1N1 (referred to as dry cough).
Seasonal Flu: A dry and hacking cough is often present with the seasonal flu but with low intensity.

Aches

Swine flu: Severe aches and pains are common with H1N1.
Seasonal Flu: Moderate and less body aches are common with the seasonal flu

Stuffy Nose

Swine flu: Stuffy nose is not commonly present with H1N1.
Seasonal Flu: A runny nose is commonly present with the seasonal flu.

Chills

Swine flu: 80% of people who have H1N1 experience chills.
Seasonal Flu: Chills are mild to moderate with the seasonal flu.

Tiredness

Swine flu: Tiredness is severe with H1N1.
Seasonal Flu: Tiredness is moderate and more likely referred to as a lack of energy with the seasonal flu.

Sneezing

Swine flu: Sneezing is not common with H1N1.
Seasonal Flu: Sneezing is common present with the seasonal flu.

Sudden Symptom

Swine flu: A person will come down with swine flu symptoms in 4 to 6 days. H1N1 hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Seasonal Flu: Symptoms tend to develop after 1 to 3 days after the entry of virus in the body and include flushed face, loss of appetite, dizziness, vomiting, nausea.

Headache

Swine flu: A headache is very common with H1N1 and present in 80% of cases.
Seasonal Flu: A mild headache is common with the seasonal flu.

Sore Throat

Swine flu: It is less common in swine flu and even if it is present it is mild.
Seasonal Flu: Sore throat is commonly present with the seasonal flu.

Chest Discomfort

Swine flu: Chest discomfort is often severe with H1N1.
Seasonal Flu: Chest discomfort is moderate with the seasonal flu. If it turns severe than seek medical
attention immediately.