Swine Flu - Research Paper Example

Swine Flu Swine Flu The outbreak and occurrence of every disease can be defined by a different term. The outbreakof some diseases can be labelled by a term called epidemic. An epidemic can be defined as the unusual occurrence of a disease. An epidemic occurs in a population at inconstant levels (Jekel et al, 2007). This article “Swine flu strain returns: dramatic rise in deaths of young adults, children” which was published in the Washington Post, describes the reoccurrence of a specific type of influenza called swine flu. Swine flu is caused by H1N1 virus and leads to unwanted symptoms. The article describes that the disease was an epidemic when it broke out in 2009, but because it got transmitted to many countries it is now referred to as a pandemic disease. The article points out that the reoccurrence of the disease has resulted specifically in the mortality of adults and children. Health officials suggest that the numbers of cases being reported are not as much as when the disease first surfaced in 2009. The spread of the disease is disproportionate through United States. Doctors suggest that the flu has bimodal occurrence in the extremes of age as it is occurring in the very old and the very young (Cha 2014). The article states that the 2009 outbreak of the disease was a pandemic and now after 4 years it is occurring widely in different states. Swine flu was originally a respiratory disease found in pigs. The article further gives an overview of the conditions of the states affected. State of California has been affected most severely with 243 deaths which were higher than the previous year. In San Francisco the hospitals are flooded with patients with flu symptoms, and to prevent any chances of communicability tents were set in the gardens of hospitals for such patients. The article reported that the death of a woman in Sacramento by this disease created a buzz among people. The woman died within 3 days of the appearance of symptoms but she did not get an injection for the flu. The article also explained the views of some doctors who explained that the disease is worrisome and it has been included in the flu vaccines, but the efficacy of the vaccine is 50-70 %. The article concludes by stating that the reoccurrence of such disease makes the flu vaccination a mandatory, and the strains of H1N1 occurring in America are more virulent than anywhere in the world. Swine flu was an epidemic disease but it’s become a pandemic (Cha, 2014). The epidemiological triangle of disease involves an agent, environment and host. According to the article the agent that caused the disease was the virulent virus H1N1, and its strains. The outbreak of the disease was seasonal as it surfaced in the flu season. This specific time the outbreak effected individuals in the extremes of age. The article stated that the hosts that were affected were either very old or very young (Cha, 2014). In February-March, 2009 there were many cases of respiratory infections arising in Mexico. The pattern of the infections was unique and they resembled the influenza virus (Coker, 2009). Thousands of people were presenting with symptoms such as runny nose, fatigue, high fever and breathing difficulties. In addition to Mexico countries like Egypt and New Zealand also saw many people with the same set of symptoms. Medical officers thought it was the influenza virus, but the flu season was ending hence the patients were tested. Tests confirmed that the disease was a new type of influenza virus which was a mixture of pig, bird and human variants. Clinicians identified it as the H1N1 strain, and it was a mutated form if influenza virus. This virus had previously been seen in pigs but never in people. Hence doctors made deductions that pigs were the agents of the infectious virus (Tasian, 2011). The first case of the disease was seen in 1968 in a soldier (Stephenson, 2009). Swine flu which is also known as pig flu is a type of influenza which is caused by strains by influenza virus that affects pigs. The transmission of this disease basically occurs through droplets which are expelled when a person coughs or sneezes. The incubation period of the disease is 2-7 days. The influenza is both self-limiting and it may also cause respiratory failure and death. Deaths from swine flu occur due to the secondary complications such as pneumonia and bacterial infections. Elders who are aged above 65 and children under the age of 5 are at highest risk of the disease. Patients with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, body pains, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting (Dandagi and Byahatti, 2011). The virus has two proteins on its surface called haemagglutin and neuraminidase. Haemagglutin is the substance which causes red blood cells to agglutinate and neuraminidase aids the virus to engulf the mucus secretions of the infected person (Stephenson, 2009). According to the epidemiological triangle of disease involves an agent, a host and a favorable environment. The swine flu virus is classified into A, B and C and transmission can occur between pigs and pigs and humans. The agent is the swine flu virus; H1N1 and because it is a virus it needs a host to survive in. The host in most of the cases is a human body. The environment required for the disease to outbreak is seasonal, as it basically occurs in the flu season between October-March. The disease effects the very young and the very old as their immunity is low (Dandagi and Byahatti, 2011). Transmission of virus from pigs to humans occurs occasionally and human to human transmission is more likely. Cooked pork is safe to eat but people who are exposed to the animal are at high risk. (Stephenson, 2009). Evidence-based management modalities include antivirals such as oseltamivir and zanamivir (Dandagi and Byahatti, 2011). Swine flu is a type of influenza which came into being by mutations of the influenza virus. The outbreak of the disease which occurred in 2009 was severe as WHO declared it to be a pandemic instead of an endemic as it had crossed borders, and was being detected in various countries. People presented with symptoms like cough, running nose, fatigue, body aches and high fever. Many people lost their lives what as doctors could not figure out what it was. Flu shots need to be made mandatory in America and in other countries before the flu season as the disease is a pandemic now. If symptoms of flu appear the person should go to his physician and should abstain from going out and they should also cover their moth while sneezing and coughing. Children who present with the symptoms should be took out of school as long as they are in the incubation period. The disease can be prevented by correct measures. References Cha, A. E. (2014, February 19). Swine flu strain returns: dramatic rise in deaths of young adults, children. Washington Post. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/death-toll-from-flu-rises-as-h1n1-strain-returnswith-young-invincibles-most-affected/2014/02/19/71f539f4-98b0-11e3-b931-0204122c514b_story.html Dandagi, G. L., & Byahatti, S. M. (January 01, 2011). An insight into the swine-influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in humans. Lung India : Official Organ of Indian Chest Society,28, 1, 34-8. Jekel, J. F., & Jekel, J. F. (2007). Epidemiology, biostatistics, and preventive medicine. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier. Tasian, S. K. (2011). Swine flu. New York, NY: Rosen Pub. Terence Stephenson DM, FRCP, FRCPCH. (2009). Swine Flu - What Parents Need to Know: UK Edition. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Read More