• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Swine Influenza Infection

January 5, 2011 by ds_15457 Leave a Comment

Swine flu, also known as H1N1, hit at the end of the 2009 flu season, causing serious respiratory infection in many people. The virus moved quickly and spread to nearly everywhere in the world, causing the World Health Organization to call it a global pandemic. The pandemic was declared over in August 2010, but the swine flu continues to cause infections.

Symptoms

Each year, there are several strains of the flu virus, all with similar symptoms. Like other flu viruses, the swine flu symptoms include a high fever, aches, chills, sore throat, coughing and fatigue. Some people might also experience diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people are hit hard by the symptoms while others have a milder case.

Transmission

The swine flu is passed from one person to the next. Droplets from the infected person’s cough or sneeze can pass the virus to another person. You can also pick up the swine flu virus by touching a surface that was contaminated by an infected individual. If you touch the surface and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth, the virus can enter the body.

Treatment

Because it is a virus, the swine flu often runs its course on its own. The swine flu can develop into a serious respiratory problem, especially for those in higher risk groups. High-risk individuals include people who are hospitalized, have shortness of breath, under 5 years, over 65, pregnant or have certain conditions like asthma, heart disease, diabetes and emphysema. These individuals may receive antiviral drugs to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.

Symptom Relief

While you likely have to work through the symptoms until the swine flu goes away, you can try to alleviate some of the symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers often help with the aches and can reduce a fever. Plenty of rest gives your immune system a chance to work against the virus. Drinking lots of clear fluids prevents dehydration.

Prevention

The annual flu shot typically includes multiple flu strains that are predicted to be prevalent that year. If the swine flu is predicted to be a problem in a particular year, it might be added to the vaccine. Limiting your exposure to others, especially those who are sick, reduces the risk of picking up the virus. Hand washing is another way to keep the germs at bay. Avoid spreading the swine flu to other members of your family by coughing and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Living Healthy

About ds_15457

Shelley Frost has been a freelance writer since 2007, specializing in parenting and education. Her work can be found on websites such as ModernMom.com and PreschoolRock.com. Frost holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in reading from the University of Northern Iowa.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know

The other day one of my teenage daughters told me she was … [Read More...] about 10 Things I Want My Daughter To Know

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

How to Fix a Broken Slab of Marble

How Early Can an Ultrasound Detect a Fetus?

How Early Can an Ultrasound Detect a Fetus?

Tell If You Are Pregnant While Breastfeeding

How to Tell If You Are Pregnant While Breastfeeding

Baby Hair Growth

Baby Hair Growth

Best Way to Cook Boneless Shoulder Steak

The Best Way to Cook Boneless Shoulder Steak

Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

How to Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

How to Help Young Kids Lose Weight

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.