Swine Flu Sweeps Across the Globe: Will It be the Seventh Killer Plaque in History?

Swine flu is on its way across the globe. Some people have enquired whether swine flu will be the seventh killer plaque  in history. In the past, God has reminded us that there will be 7 Great plaques that would hit human’s life. Will swine flu be considered as the seventh killer plaque since it has raised global alert to an unprecedented level and has also claimed more lives in Mexico?  

The latest outbreak of swine flu in Mexico was reported to have thousands of people fallen ill, 103 people have died, and 20 confirmed cases of swine flu were also reported in California, Texas, Kansas, New York and Ohio of the United States, 6 confirmed cases in Canada, 13 suspected in New Zealand, 1 suspected in Israel, 1 suspected in Brazil, 1 suspected in France and 7 suspected in Spain. The cases related to swine flu has been seen to rise steadily through April of 2009 and as on 23 April, as there were over 854 cases of pneumonia reported in Mexico. Not only do swine flu cases hit these countries, but suspected infections have been detected among people in Asian Countries on 28 and 29 April, 2009. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who’ve just returned from trips to United States or Mexico have flu-like symptoms which are suspected as a possibility of being infected with SIV. Swine flu is feared to spread to other countries if no drug is available to fight off this deadly virus.

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Nevertheless, it might be too early to say that swine flu can be transmitted to a large geographical region of the Earth. Richard Basser, the director of the CDC, has issued his concern on how rapidly this virus has spread. He remarked that the fear grows when it’s too late to stop it from spreading across America. His fear can be understood when we recall a global flu pandemic in 1918, in which millions of lives were killed. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has warned the latest outbreak had “pandemic potential” and all countries were advised to step up surveillance and preparation in case the infection spreads rapidly.

What are the Facts of Swine Flu?

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Swine flu (also called swine influenza, influenza A (H1N1), or flu) is an acute respiratory disease among the pig populations caused by a tiny spheroid virus that belongs to the Influenza A virus group (source). The current cases of swine flu involve the H1N1 strain of type A influenza virus.

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Pigs (also called hogs or swine) are regularly hit by swine influenza virus (SIV) that are caused by Orthomyxovirus endemic (source) and its outbreak normally occurs in the colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Four main influenza type A virus subtypes of H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1 have been isolated in pigs; however, the current isolated influenza viruses from swine have been identified as H1N1 viruses. 

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Very often, SIV causes low death rates but high levels of illness among the pig populations. To date, SIV strains have been grouped either as influenza virus C or one of the various subtypes of the genus Influenza virus A. In 1930 in the United States, an influenza type A H1N1 virus (a classical swine flu virus in pigs) has been known to circulate among pigs but since late August 1998, H3N2 subtypes have been isolated from swine herds. In 2004, H3N2 viruses were observed in Turkey stocks and US swine which were believed a result of triple reassortants, containing genes from human (NA, HA, and PB1), avian (PB2 and PA) and swine (SW, M, and NS) lineages (source and partially quoted from my article three scary killer flu pandemics that raged fiercely over the world).

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Swine flu, like other flu viruses, changes constantly. This happens when the HA and NA proteins of the influenza A virus have the ability to undergo change either via “drift” [also called antigenic drift, which means the mutations in the HA and/ or NA genes accumulate during viral replication) or "shift" (also called antigenic shift which occurs when an Influenza A virus containing an immunologically new HA or NA (or both) is introduced into an immunologically naïve populations via three routes: (1) genetic reassortment between species, (2) a wholly species-specific flu virus from one species (such as swine) can infect another species (such as humans) directly without undergoing genetic reassortment), and (3) a flu virus can be passed from one species (such as birds) via an immediate animal hosts (such as swine) to a third species (such as humans)] which allow the virus to have tremendous variability and survivability. This explains why the viruses may have a lot more of potential variation, making them difficult to be fought off by the available vaccines. Previously, we learned that influenza virus can stimulate the production of antibody in human’s body, however, when sufficient drift occurs, previously developed host antibody may not be effective enough to fight against the new “drifted” virus type (source).

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Pigs can be infected by avian influenza, human influenza as well as swine influenza, since pigs have been a favored host for the “mixing vessel” for the generation of reassortment influenza A viruses. And most importantly, pigs can easily support replication of both avian and human influenza A viruses within their cells (source). That’s why when influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, a new virus which is a mix of avian, human and/ or swine influenza viruses can emerge.

Swine flu is an uncomfortable and highly contagious (or infectious) disease. The swine virus can be transmitted from pigs to humans, from humans and pigs, but the most worried one is that it can be transmitted from humans to other humans. The latest cases of swine flu show us that the viruses are transmitted from person to person via coughing and sneezing.

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As like other flu viruses, swine flu is circulating in the animal and human environment. We know that avian flu is caused by flu viruses adapted for infections in birds, and similarly, swine flu is caused by flu viruses adapted for infections in pigs. Spanish flu, avian flu and swine flu for instance, can lead sufferers to severe respiratory symptoms and can be transmitted between one another very quickly. 

Why Swine Flu is Scary and Dangerous?

Nowadays, the virus spreads very fast via airplane, airport and any enclosed or crowded regions which are served as a medium for the viruses to spread from one person to another. And now the major concern is that this swine virus may have mutated into many strains of virus in a very short period. If effective vaccines are not available to stop this infection from spreading, the condition will be as deadly as what had happened during the SARs attack in Hong Kong and China and during the attack of Spanish flu in 1918.

Since swine viruses are a new flu of H1N1 viruses introduced into the environment, humans may have very little immunity to protect against them. Further, the H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically not similar to human H1N1 viruses and therefore, vaccines for human seasonal influenza may not have better protection from these viruses (source).

CDC has issued their concern towards swine virus because they believe that humans have no natural immunity to fight against a new version of the H1N1 viruses (a mix of swine, bird, or the human flu viruses). These flu viruses have the ability to change and mutate by picking up new genetic information, making it difficult for drugs manufacturers to produce effective vaccines or drugs as the viruses become stronger and stronger after the mutation process. More specifically, mixing can lead to the progress of changed viruses, in which humans have little immunity to fight against them. That is to say that the viruses are more resistance to any medications. At the time, most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to four drugs of rimantadine, oseltamivir, zanamivir and amantidine. In the latest outbreak, CDC recommends zanamivir or oseltamivir for the treatment and/ or prevention of infection with SIV.

What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?

In swine herds (pigs or hogs), the symptoms of swine flu include fever, inactivity, nasal discharge, labored breathing, mouth breathing, and paroxysmal coughing (source). The symptoms of swine flu in humans can look very similar to the symptoms of common seasonal flu infection as listed below:

• Body ache
• Headache
• Chills
• Fever (> 100.4 F) usually lasts 2-3 days
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Sore throat
• Feeling lethargic
• Sleeping a lot

Emergency Alert: Please Take Immediate Action

If you observe the listed warning signs in children, please seek medical attention immediately.

• Fever with a rash
• Not interacting or not waking up
• The child feels irritable and doesn’t want to be held
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish skin color or. Not drinking enough fluids.
• Flu-like symptoms (FIS) improve but then recur with worse cough and fever (source)

If you observe the listed warning signs in adults, please seek medical attention immediately.

• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Pressure or pain in the chest or abdomen
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing   (source)

Additional alarming signs for pandemic flu: (1) bleeding from rectum or mouth, (2) stomach and intestinal related illnesses (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and (3) cytokines storm (or a trigger lethal immune response).

Warning: People with SIV infection up to 7 days following illness onset are considered to be potentially contagious; however, in younger children the SIV infection might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What to do to Prevent Swine Flu or any Flu from Spreading?

Here are some of the recommended ways to help reduce the infections of swine flu. You’re advised to follow these good hygiene and infection control practices to minimize the transmission of the viruses.

• Add one teaspoon of fine sea salt and white vinegar each into 200 ml water, and stir until dissolve. Use this mixture to gargle after brushing your teeth in the morning and at night, and remember to swallow a bit of the mixture at the end section of your gargle. This method is effective to help disinfect while warding off many bacteria and viruses that you may have contaminated every day.
• Cancel or postpone your trip to the affected countries.
• Dispose any dirty tissues, papers or materials carefully and promptly
• Wash your hands regularly, particularly before eating, after using bathroom and before touching your face, nose and mouth (source).

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• Remember to wash your hands periodically throughout the day and clean your face at night before sleeping (source). This is important to get rid of many germs and prevent the spread of germs to others and to the surface of the things you touch. During the outbreak of the flu, it’s advisable to wash your hands for 15-20 seconds.
• Wash and clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using toilet. This is particularly important when you’ve touched door knob, escalator, desks, cafeteria tables, toilet bowls, or anything in the public places that may have the swine virus on it. Bear in mind that certain bacteria and viruses can live 2 hours or longer on these surfaces and, therefore frequent hand washing will assist to decrease the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
• Get yourself away from someone who is infected with swine flu. That means you must not have a close contact with people infected with the swine flu virus or those who show signs of illness, such as runny nose, fever, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes or those who are already sick.
• Avoid visiting farms, county fairs, pet shops or petting zoos that have livestock  (source).
• If you’ve flu-like symptoms or just returned from the affected countries, please check with a doctor right away.
• Swine industry employees, pig breeders and farmers must take precautionary steps to avoid contact with pigs or instruments that may have infected with swine flu virus.
• The local health authorities should impose strict rule on the personal hygiene, particularly on those who’ve a direct contact with the livestock.
• Get yourself away from the direct exposure to pigs since swine flu is more prevalent among the pig populations during the colder months of winter and fall. Besides that, you should try to avoid any close contact with domestic animals such as birds, rabbits, and etc. This requirement is particularly important for children to follow.
• Make sure you wash your hands properly and thoroughly after exposing to farm animals or livestock before touching your mouth or nose. This is because the swine flu is normally transmitted from pigs to humans or humans to other humans by simply touching something with the flu virus on it before touching mouth, eyes or nose.
• Cover up your mouth or nose while sneezing or coughing with a tissue and remember to drop it in the trash immediately. If you don’t have tissue to cover up your mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing, please try your best to cover them as best you can to help those around you from not getting sick.
• Wash your hands with alcohol-based gels and wipes each time you sneeze or cough.
• Try avoiding large groups of people in public places, lifts, public transportations or any crowded places, particularly in the affected regions. This is because swine virus can be spread rapidly by the infected people while they’re coughing or sneezing.
• If there’s an outbreak of swine virus in your region, make sure that you wear a surgical mask which can cover up your mouth and nose. Be sure to wear the disposable mask while you’re out or in public places. Wearing latex gloves is also very helpful to ward off the infectious viruses.
• During the swine flu or any flu season, make sure you boost your immune system by taking a balanced healthy diet. Eating healthy and balanced diet is a role key to attain enhanced immune system. When your immune system is strong, you’re not easily to get infected with the current swine virus. Remember to eat a diet rich with trace elements, vitamins, nutrients, carotene and etc. which are normally found abundant in fruits and leafy vegetables. Bear in mind that a weak immune system is more prone to any infections.
• Getting adequate amount of sleep (6-8 hours is recommended) is also very helpful to enhance your immune system to help fighting against the swine flu virus. (Note: you can read more on my previous article how to boost your immune system)
• Replenish your body with appropriate amount of fluids. Drink plenty of juices that are rich in vitamin C to help fight off the flu.
• If you’re sick, please keep yourself away from others to help prevent them from catching your illness.  If possible, stay home from school, and work.
• Carry along the hand sanitizers wherever you go. Keep the hand sanitizers in your pockets or purse. Be sure to wipe down your hands often, particularly after touching money, desk, computer, stationary, door knobs or anything that you’ve come in contact with.
• Don’t panic if your area is stricken by the swine flu virus. Instead, you should stay calm and keep yourself abreast with the latest swine flu news.  The most important thing is to pay attention to the announcement or news from the CDC.
• Reduce any unnecessary migration of people from epidemic and endemic areas.
• Make healthy habits and living style as a compulsory routine as this will cut off the attack of SIV.
• Don’t shake hands with people around you and don’t allow them to shake or touch your child’s hands. Tell them your concern on the current swine flu virus to avoid any misunderstanding.
• Remember to use your own plate or cup and don’t share foods and drinks with others. If you’re eating with your family members, friends or relatives, never share the same spoon or fork.
• Even though there is no vaccine to effectively protect humans from swine flu, you’re advised to get the seasonal influenza vaccine which can help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.
• Never share your own belongings such as toothbrush, comb, towel, swimming suits and etc with others. You might not know that they might have infected with deadly viruses. 
• Disinfect your door handles with bleach, or spray them with Lysol. Keep your pillows, and bed sheets cleaned and disinfected at least once a week.
• You should keep your home or office clean and disinfect as the flu germs can stay on surfaces up to 24 hours.

Final Remark

This health article was written with the aim to help create awareness on swine flu. It’s also aimed to help you and your loved ones from the global health storm–Swine flu pandemic that is threatening our world right now.

For a swine flu survivor, I wish you all the best of luck for your life. For others who have left due to these deadly swine flu viruses, I pray for your grieve and may your soul rest in peace. Let’s mourn 5 minutes for their great loss! And for the affected family, I feel deep sorrow and pray you receive comfort in your time of need. At the same time, I urge you to be strong to deal with these trials so as not to succumb to the present situation. Remember that time will heal your wound, and please be assured that you’ll feel better in time!

Now, you can gain more health knowledge by visiting my health blog entitled HealthAssist. More upcoming updates and latest health information are right on the way!