Swine influenza

Swine influenza virus is a virus that is common in pigs. This type of influenza virus can also infect humans and birds. Swine influenza virus is sometimes called SIV or swine flu.

Swine flu is common in pigs. Normally, it only infects people who have been in close contact with pigs. However, the disease has also spread from one person to another. Swine flu can cause fever, disorientation (not being clear-headed), stiffness of the joints, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. Sometimes this ends in death.There are different types, or strains, of swine flu.

Treatment for Swine influenza

Laboratory testing has shown that the 2009 swine influenza strain is sensitive to two antiviral medicines that are used to treat human influenza. They are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Oseltamivir is given in pill form. Zanamivir is an inhaled medication. Both medications require a prescription. The drugs should be given to people who appear to have swine influenza if they have chronic medical conditions that put them at risk for complications (see above) or if they are unusually ill. These drugs can be used for patients with either H1N1 or H3N2v infections. A few drug-resistant H1N1strains have been reported, but most swine flu strains remain sensitive. Older drugs like amantadine (Symmetrel) are not effective.