What Is New H1N1 Swine Flu Virus Debacle

Novel H1N1 influenza virus, or Swine Flu, or Pig Flu

Swine flu virus, or swine flu influenza is a condition caused by strains of subtypes of Influenza A virus called H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H3N3. These viruses are common in pigs located in midwestern United States, Canada, South America, Mexico, Mainland China, Japan, Taiwan, Europe, and other Eastern Asian countries.

Can We Catch Swine Flu H1N1 From Eating Pork

Normally NO. You can not get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. When properly cooked, pig meat (pork) does not have the potential of passing the Swine Flu H1N1 virus. Transmission that leads to human influenza is called zoonotic swine flu. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe.

Greatest Risk Of Swine Flu Infection Directly From Pigs

People who work with pigs, particularly those with direct exposure, are at greater risk of being infected with swine flu. Towards the middle of the 20th century, identification of influenza subtypes became likely paving the way for an accurate diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, 50 infections have been confirmed and recorded.

It is rare for these strains of swine flu to be transmitted from one human to another. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to common influenza as well as influenza-like illness such as chills, sore throat, fever, coughing, muscular pains, severe headache, and general discomfort.

Swine Flu 1918 Pandemic Creates Fear For 2009 Swine Flu Outbreak

The 2009 swine flu outbreak in humans was caused by a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 which have genes that closely resemble swine influenza. The root of this new strain is not known. According to the World Health Organization for Animal Health, this new strain has not been isolated in pigs. It is capable of human-to-human transmission and manifests the normal symptoms of influenza.

Swine can be infected with human influenza such as the case of the 1918 flu pandemic and the 2009 flu outbreak. Swine flu was first proposed as a disease associated with humans during the 1918 flu pandemic. During that time, pigs became simultaneously sick with humans.

Influenza virus as a cause of disease in pigs was first identified in 1930. For the next six decades, strains of swine influenza became almost exclusively H1N1. From 1997 to 2002, new strains of three varied subtypes and 5 different genotypes were identified as the cause of influenza among pigs in North America.  

Novel (New) H1N1 Swine Flu Variant Descendant of 1918 Flu Pandemic

From 1997-1998, H3N2 strains developed. They included genes acquired through reassortment of human, avian, and swine viruses and have been a principal cause of wine influenza in North America. Reassortment between H1N1 and H3N2 resulted to the development of H1N2. In Canada, a strain of H4N6 resulted from the reassortment of avian and swine flu but was isolated on a single farm.  

The H1N1 variant of swine flu is one of the descendants of the strain that brought about the 1918 flu pandemic. While persisting in pigs, the descendants of the 1918 virus have also been transmitted throughout the 20th century which resulted to the usual seasonal influenza outbreaks.

It is interesting to note that direct infection from pigs to humans is rare, with only 12 confirmed cases in the United States since 2005.

However, since the influenza strains remain in the pigs after they have disappeared in the human population, it can make these pigs a reservoir where the influenza virus could survive, and later on be transmitted to humans as soon as their immunity to the strain is no longer effective.

Basic Swine Flu Protection Is Clean Hands and Boosted Immune System

Clean hands can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as the H1N1 swine flu virus. When washing your hands, turn on the water, wet your hands, apply a good amount of soap and lather up, and then focus on washing your hands for about 20 seconds.

Alas, inspite of the best hygiene precautions, a weak immune system can be deadly. Exposure to swine flu and other viruses can wipe you out. A complementary protection from swine flu, is boosting your immune system, and keping it strong.

Check with your doctor before using any nutritional supplement. A liquid super vitamin like the Mangosteen and Minerals at http://LiquidVitamins.WellnessMiracle.com/ is known to work wonders in boosting the immune system.