In 2009, there were many prominent events which happened all over the world.
Most of these events were restricted to the respective country, but one among all the events sent shockwaves all over the world.
It all started in the month of April, the same year, after almost a century later, 91 years to be precise, a flu pandemic spread across the world, reported as the H1N1 virus.
The outbreak of this flu virus was reported to be a new strain of the virus when the previous combination of the bird, swine and human flu virus combined with the ‘Eurasian’ pig flu virus gave birth to this virus. People knew about Swine Flu because of the virus spread by the pigs in Eurasia.
Influenza is common among most people in the world, healthy or chronically ill never mattered when it came to the flu. Eventually at some point of time, everyone got affected with the flu virus.
What everybody knew about Swine Flu or H1N1, was that it was somewhat different than the other flu viruses. When the outbreak was reported, Mexico was the epicentre and it eventually spread all over the world. The peculiar observation reported about swine flu is that, it mainly affects the already chronically ill and people with very low immune systems. There was research done about swine flu and vaccines were channeled throughout the world to control the fate of all the human beings affected.
Typically during the outbreak, people above the age of 65 and children below the age of five were mainly affected apart from the other people who were already suffering from some kind of neurodevelopmental disorders along with pregnant women as well.
But when the question of ‘How contagious is H1N1?’ was put forward by the World Health Organisation and other health groups. This was one question about swine flu that had varied answers. These answers were not always specific at first but then, it’s always debatable.
So, is Swine Flu contagious?
Once the outbreak was going on, when the disease went from an Endemic to Epidemic, the answers to this question was still in process but once the virus stepped up from being an epidemic disease and went to Pandemic, everyone knew the answer about swine flu.
The fact about Swine flu is that it’s highly contagious in nature. It spreads from person to person.
Now, if you are thinking that eating Pork and any pork products results in swine flu, this doesn’t happen at all. That’s a misconception about swine flu.
This virus mainly spreads through and in the air in the form of droplets which are produced by coughing, sneezing, mucus secretions or by direct contact of saliva.
The H1N1 virus has a habit of also surviving outside an infected person so unlike other flu viruses, people can contract the virus by touching desks, utensils, cups and so on after an infected person has sneezed or coughed on anything for that matter.
The signs and symptoms of H1N1 or swine flu is the same as any other flu virus. Fever, cough, cold, diarrhea, headaches, chills and eventually fatigue are the classic signs and symptoms. It is very important to understand and get people checked up by an expert doctor for prevention of swine flu, as if one person can set the dominos falling.
ABOUT THE HOSPITAL
Sai Sanjeevini Multi Speciality Hospitals a unit of Singapanga Healthcare Pvt. Ltd has been providing health services to the people in need for the last 14 years. This health care organisation combines practical, proven research, cutting edge procedures and state-of-the-art treatment to produce excellent medical and lifestyle outcome for our patients. Our hospital and medical staff provide innovative medical care in a friendly, compassionate, community environment conducive to patient recuperation in a family atmosphere.
About the doctor
Dr. M.Ravindranath is a reputed Pulmonologist in Hyderabad and has an experience of 12 years in this field. Dr. M.Ravindranath practices at Hyderabad Chest Clinic in Dilsukh Nagar, Hyderabad and Sai Sanjeevini Hospitals in Kothapet, Hyderabad. His knowledge of pulmonology has made him one of the best in the city and most patients visit him and go home, happy. So Book your Appointment now.