SWINE FLU

BY
Prof Dr : Tarek Abdel Gawad

Prof. Of Pediatrics. Head Of PICU, Ain Shams

University
 DEFINITION

• Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a

respiratory disease of pigs caused by
type A influenza that regularly cause
outbreaks of influenza among pigs.
• Swine flu viruses cause high levels
of illness and low death rates in
pigs.
• Swine influenza viruses may circulate
among swine throughout the year, but
most outbreaks occur during the late
fall and winter months similar to
outbreaks in humans.

• The classical swine flu virus (an

influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first
isolated from a pig in 1930.
• Studies have shown that the swine flu
H1N1 is common throughout pig
populations worldwide, with 25 percent of
animals showing antibody evidence of
infection
• Swine flu viruses spread between pigs
mostly through close contact among pigs
and possibly from contaminated objects
moving between infected and uninfected
pigs.
• Swine flu viruses do not normally
infect humans, however, human
infections with swine flu do occur,
and cases of human-to-human spread
of swine flu viruses has been
documented.
• From December 2005 through February
2009, a total of 12 human infections with
swine influenza were reported .

• All infected cases were workers in close

contact with pigs with no case fatality
reported between them.
• In late March and early April 2009,more
than 1000 cases of human infection with
swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were
reported and 20 patients died from swine
flu.
• As the swine flu spread
throughout the world,
countries and citizens
moved quickly to protect
themselves, donning face
masks, cancelling trips, and
staying out of crowded
areas.

FT.com
• This week, one
story has been
prominent in our
output: Swine Flu.

-BBC News
The World Health Organization raised the alert
level of the fast-spreading swine flu virus,
indicating that a "pandemic is imminent."
-NY Times
• Pigs can be infected by avian
influenza and human influenza
viruses as well as swine
influenza viruses. When
influenza viruses from different
species infect pigs, the viruses
can re-assort (i.e. swap genes)
and new viruses that are a mix
of swine, human and/or avian
influenza viruses can emerge
• The 2009 flu outbreak
in humans is due to a
new strain of
influenza A virus
subtype H1N1 that
derives in part from
human influenza,
avian influenza, and
two separate strains
of swine influenza.
Common Influenza A Virus Genetic
Reassortment
• 1902: Isolation of H3N2
• 1918-1919: H1N1 Spanish Flu (Major Pandemic
Influenza) killed more than 50 million people.
• 1930: Isolation of H1N1 for the first time.
• 1968-1969: Hong Kong Flu H3N2, killed more
than 37,000 people.
• 1997: Isolation of Hong Kong H1N1.
• 1999: Isolation of H9N2
• 2003-2009: Epidemic of H5N1 Avian Flu.
• March 2009: Epidemic of H1N1 Swine Flu.
Then, how does it spread?
Close contact with
infected pigs
Person to person transmission
through coughing or sneezing
Touching contaminated objects
with swine flu virus
 Swine Flu can’t be
transmitted by eating
• How Long Can The Virus Live
Outside The Body?

• Is There a Risk From Drinking

Water?

• Can H1N1 Virus Spread Through

Water in Swimming Pools ?
 SYMPTOMS
• fever
• lethargy
• lack of appetite
• Coughing
• runny nose
• sore throat
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea.
• Respiratory
specimen should
be collected
within 4 to 5 days
of illness.
How long can an infected person
spread this virus to others?
• people may be
contagious from
one day before
they develop
symptoms to up
to 7 days after
they get sick. 
 PREVENTION
Non
essential
visits to
the
affected
areas
should be
avoided
Avoid contact with people from
the affected areas
Wash Your Hands
Covering mouth and nose during
sneezing and coughing
 Practice Good Health Habits
• Sleep well
• Be physically
active
• Manage your
stress
• Drink plenty of
fluids
• Eat nutritious
foods
No vaccine available
What should I do if I get sick?
• Stay home
• Avoid contact
with other people
as much as
possible
• Use paracetamol
and avoid asprin
 warning signs that need urgent
medical attention
• Tachypnea
• Cyanosis
• Refusal to feed
• Severe weakness
• Marked irritabilty
• Chest pain
Drugs Which are effective in treatment
H1N1 virus
• There are four different
antiviral drugs that are
licensed for the
treatment of influenza:
Amantidine
(Symmetrel)
Rimantadine
(Flumadine)
Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU)
Zanamivir (RELENZA)
Treatment:
• Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU)
75-mg capsule twice
per day for 5 days.
• Zanamivir (RELENZA)
Two 5-mg inhalations
(10 mg total) twice
per day for 5 days
Chemoprophylaxis
• Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU)
75-mg capsule once
per day
• Zanamivir (RELENZA)
Two 5-mg inhalations
(10 mg total) once
per day
 Sense,
not scare
is the key
to stay
safe