New Delhi: Swine flu is a type of a viral fever, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. The strain may have originated in pigs, but it is now affecting humans.
It's an air-borne infection. The virus passes from human to human like other types of flu, either through coughing, sneezing, or by touching infected surfaces.
Treatment:
Two drugs commonly used to treat flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective at treating infection but they must be administered at an early stage to be effective. But no vaccine yet.
What is swine flu?
- A type of viral fever caused by H1N1 strain
- Originated in pigs, but now affecting humans
How does swine flu spread?
- Passes from human to human
- Coughing, sneezing or touching affected surfaces
Treatment for swine flu
- Tamiflu and Relenza effective, but must be given early
- No vaccine yet