The current swine influenza outbreak is a form of influenza A viruses, especially H1N1. But what makes it even more dangerous than the annual influenza epidemic, or is it just an exaggeration by the media.
Many have compared swine flu bird flu and SARS, says that, because neither one is proven to be a global problem, ultimately, swine influenza is just similar to hype. But we can not know with certainty.
Swine influenza is a greater risk than SARS, because SARS contagious after the symptoms have appeared, which most likely is what has prevented a major epidemic. Avian influenza or bird flu, on the other hand, is never contagious between people, at least on a larger scale.
How to become infected Flu-like potential as dangerous?
The reason why the pig influenza is a risk that influenza is a highly contagious disease. H1N1 influenza is not as deadly as say, Ebola and other haemorrhagic fevers, but if a pandemic occurred, in the worst case to 1 / 3 of the population could become ill. In this case, even a 5% chance of dying of the disease can mean death for millions.
What can make swine flu more dangerous than a normal flu season, as the Spanish flu in 1918, has slain most healthy young people. Normally influenza is only dangerous for the old and sick. This suggests that, as the Spanish flu, the potentially deadly part, the body mounts immune response against viruses. As these young people with healthy immune systems may be more vulnerable than the old and infirm.
he new swine influenza virus, which broke out in Mexico is unique and potentially dangerous in a way. It is a virus that is a combination of gene segments of human, bird and pig viruses, and may be infectious in humans who are not immune to the new strain.
Influenza virus can change its make-up in two ways: antigenic drift, a series of mutations that cause the virus to gradually evolve over time. Antigenic shift is a sudden change in the surface antigen proteins, suddenly creating a new subtype of the virus. In the history of influenza outbreaks, antigenic shift is the reason behind pandemics in 1918 (Spanish flu), 1957 (Asian flu) and 1968 (Hong Kong flu), because people have no antibodies against the virus.
What is unique to this new swine influenza strain is that it is a type A, strain H1N1, which has not previously been detected in pigs. Lab tests showed that H1N1 is susceptible to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir and the U.S. government is willing to use medication for the treatment and prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.
Many have compared swine flu bird flu and SARS, says that, because neither one is proven to be a global problem, ultimately, swine influenza is just similar to hype. But we can not know with certainty.
Swine influenza is a greater risk than SARS, because SARS contagious after the symptoms have appeared, which most likely is what has prevented a major epidemic. Avian influenza or bird flu, on the other hand, is never contagious between people, at least on a larger scale.
How to become infected Flu-like potential as dangerous?
The reason why the pig influenza is a risk that influenza is a highly contagious disease. H1N1 influenza is not as deadly as say, Ebola and other haemorrhagic fevers, but if a pandemic occurred, in the worst case to 1 / 3 of the population could become ill. In this case, even a 5% chance of dying of the disease can mean death for millions.
What can make swine flu more dangerous than a normal flu season, as the Spanish flu in 1918, has slain most healthy young people. Normally influenza is only dangerous for the old and sick. This suggests that, as the Spanish flu, the potentially deadly part, the body mounts immune response against viruses. As these young people with healthy immune systems may be more vulnerable than the old and infirm.
he new swine influenza virus, which broke out in Mexico is unique and potentially dangerous in a way. It is a virus that is a combination of gene segments of human, bird and pig viruses, and may be infectious in humans who are not immune to the new strain.
Influenza virus can change its make-up in two ways: antigenic drift, a series of mutations that cause the virus to gradually evolve over time. Antigenic shift is a sudden change in the surface antigen proteins, suddenly creating a new subtype of the virus. In the history of influenza outbreaks, antigenic shift is the reason behind pandemics in 1918 (Spanish flu), 1957 (Asian flu) and 1968 (Hong Kong flu), because people have no antibodies against the virus.
What is unique to this new swine influenza strain is that it is a type A, strain H1N1, which has not previously been detected in pigs. Lab tests showed that H1N1 is susceptible to the antiviral drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir and the U.S. government is willing to use medication for the treatment and prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.
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