Background on H1N1 Virus Paper Example

Introduction

H1N1 is a strain of swine flu virus which is predominantly prevalent in India. Back in 2009, this strain of the virus had a major outbreak in many countries especially in the Indian sub-continent and Africa, making it to be categorized as pandemic by the World Health Organization. Although the spread of the virus started in Veracruz Mexico, it had soon spread all over the world with its effects being majorly felt in Africa and Asia. Swine flu is an acute respiratory disease that infects a person after they have come in contact with pigs. Even though pigs are considered the main carriers of the virus, the H1N1 strain of the virus has been found to infect people who have had no prior contact with pigs, making its spread more easily and therefore making it more deadly (Gani, 2011).

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In India, the virus is predominant in the states of Andra Pradesh, Telengana and West Bengal. In recent times the occurrence of swine flu in India was as recently as this January where three people were reported dead due to the virus. Swine flu is among the many seasonal flu viruses that circulate throughout the world with severe cases resulting in death (Hui, 2010).

How H1N1 Virus is Transmitted

H1N1 swine flu virus manifests itself in the host's body by infecting the cell lining of the nose, the throat and the lungs. The virus has the ability of mutating very fast with the H1N1 strain being the most prevalent strain in India followed by the A strain of the virus and the B strain (Shah, 2013). Some of the strains above affect both human beings and animals including birds while some only affect birds and animals. Infection occurs when one is exposed to tiny body fluid droplets containing the virus. These tiny droplets may be from a coughs or sneezes from an infected person. Swine flu virus is majorly risky to older people and people who are suffering from respiratory and heart diseases. Such people include older people from the age of sixty five and above, asthmatic people and diabetic people. Young children and pregnant women have also been found to be susceptible to the virus, with the virus account to infant mortality rates in some parts of India.

Signs and Symptoms of H1N1 Swine Flu Virus

The common signs and symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of the common flu and it is therefore difficult to diagnose by only observing the symptoms. These include:

• Headaches
• Fevers
• Muscle pain
• Coughing
• Weakness of the whole body
• Sore throat
• Vomiting and Diarrhoea

In advanced stages of the disease one may experience the following symptoms, meaning the need for immediate medical attention:

• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty in breathing
• Chest pains or increased pressure in the thoracic region of the body
• Severe vomiting
• Low body temperature/ chills

Global Burden of H1N1 Swine Flu Virus

Globally, swine flu received worldwide attention after the 2009 outbreak where so many cases of the disease were reported in various places all over the world. In its severity, the disease was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of people all over the world. This even inspired the World Health Organization to categorize the disease as a global pandemic, alerting the whole world of the risks associated with the flu.

Swine flu is common among the various pig populations all over the world, though the transmission from pigs to human beings is not common. People who have regular contact with pigs are the most susceptible to infection by the virus, this include pig farmers, pig farm attendants and veterinary doctors.

In recent times the flu has seen major outbreaks which in the 2015 and 2017 India out breaks. Statistics show that as of the month of March in 2015, approximately 30,000 people in India had been infected by the disease and a total of over 1,000 deaths had been reported due to the disease (Satyadev, 2015). Acclaimed researchers at Massachusetts Institute of technology reported that swine flu virus had mutated into a more virulent version in India (Jadhay, 2016).

In 2017 again, there were was an outbreak of the disease which even resulted in the judicial system of India to instruct the government to control the many deaths that were being caused by swine flu virus.

The 2009 Northern Ireland outbreak is another manifestation of the flu on a global scale. This outbreak was responsible for about 14 reported deaths resulting in a nationwide vaccination campaign that had a great impact in reducing the prevalence of the flu in the country.

Treatment and Prevention of H1N1 Swine Flu Virus

Since swine flu is rarely fatal to pigs, little is required when it comes to treatment of swine flu in pigs. Instead of focusing on the treatment of swine flu in pigs most of the efforts have been put in implementing prevention measures to reduce the chances of transmission of the virus to people. Vaccination and animal treatment campaigns are the most important parts of this process.

In human beings, the common treatment methods available include the use of antiviral medications that make the flu milder and make the patients feel much better. Antiviral medications have also proven to reduce the risk of severe flu complications. Apart from antiviral medications, supportive care at home or at hospital to relieve muscle pain, severe fever and chest pains are also utilized.

The available antiviral drugs in India include Osetalmivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza) which are administered due to slacken severity of the flu symptoms. Drugs that help reduce the severity of the flu symptoms are regular flu shots and nasal spray vaccines. Intra-dermal shots are also in existence though less common and by far the most successful method of swine flu prevention.

Alternative forms of Treatment

Apart from the mainstream medical treatment of swine flu, there exist a number of home remedies that have proven to treat swine flu. Garlic is an example of home remedy that can help in the treatment of swine flu. Allicin, the active ingredient that is present in garlic has been proven to offer a wide spectrum of protection against bacteria, viruses (including H1N1 virus) and parasites (Beaulac, 2009). Ginger is another remedy that has been used over time to treat common colds and flu. It is an effective food that helps ease severity of swine flu symptoms like fever and general body weakness. An additional home remedy used in India, is the Indian Gooseberry, which is packed with vitamin C which boosts immune system of the body. Indian gooseberry can be drank as a juice or eaten raw as fresh fruit amla to protect the body from diseases including swine flu virus.

Prevention of the spread of H1N1 Virus in India

There are existing safety precautions in practice in India, which help reduce the impact of the flu in case of an outbreak. Since the complete isolation of the virus is impossible due to the fact that the flu is airborne, the safety precautions are only efficient on an average basis. Vaccination is the best single most important precautionary measure. Vaccination alone can help reduce the spread of the virus to close than fifty percent. Scientific studies have established that swine flu vaccinations have the ability of being effective up to ten days after vaccination (Shah, 2013). Due to this fact, vaccinations are only effective during the period when outbreaks are reported and should be renewed every time an outbreak of swine flu occurs.

Proper observation of hygiene has also proved to reduce the risk factor of swine flu. Regular cleaning of the hands and face with soap or alcohol based cleansers as frequently as possible especially during times of an outbreak goes a long way in reducing the chances of being infected. Drinking adequate amounts of fluids to maintain hydration of the body and eating a regular balanced diet also helps in curbing swine flu infection.

It is also important to stay away from infected people during an outbreak. Since the flu is airborne this will reduce the chances of being infected by close to hundred percent. In case of health care providers who are treating swine flu victims, they should be administered with antiviral drugs or be vaccinated. Maintaining proper ventilation in places where many people interact is also essential in reducing the infection rate of swine flu.

Existing Barriers to Treatment and Prevention of H1N1 Virus

Barriers to treatment and prevention of the spread of swine flu in India are a major factor that facilitates the prevalence of the disease in the country. Top of the list is the limited access to health care provisions by many Indians especially those residing in the rural interior parts of the country. Since swine flu is a disease that manifests itself rapidly within the body of an infected patient, rapid response is necessary to avoid severe effects of the flu which may result in death. Many of the people in the states of India where this disease is prevalent have limited access to healthcare facilities which contributes to obstruction of any efforts aimed at curbing the prevalence of swine flu in India.

Another barrier is the lack of public awareness of the disease. Some of the population in India treat swine flu just like any other flu which may be deadly since swine flu even though exhibiting symptoms similar to those of the common flue is a much riskier ailment.

Role of Primary Healthcare Providers in the fight against H1N1 Virus

The primary healthcare provider in India is the Indian government through state owned Primary Health Centres that are responsible in implementing various health programmes across the country. Anti-epidemic programs are among these health programs, where the prevention of swine flu prevalence is prioritised. Through these centres the government has been able to disperse medications and carry out vaccination campaigns in times of swine flu outbreaks all over the states in the country. Of the many primary health centres in India, those within the high swine flu prevalent states are equipped with the necessary resources that help deal with swine flu outbreaks.

These centres play the major roles of running health programmes that will prevent the spread of pandemics, including swine flu, and providing medication and medical personnel to help treat the affected parties.

Future Plans to Deal with H1N1 Virus in India

Various medical programmes have been put in place that aim to facilitate public awareness of swine flu, run vaccination campaigns as soon as the first cases of an outbreak is reported and treat patients who have been infected by the disease. Such measures will ensure that future disasters associated with swine flu will be avoided all over the world with India in particular.

References

Beaulac, J., Kristjansson, E., & Cummins, S. (2009). Peer reviewed: A systematic review of food deserts, 1966-2007. Preventing chronic disease, 6(3).

Gani, S. R., Ali, S. T., & Kadi, A. S. (2011). The transmission dynamics of pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009-2010 in India. Current Science, 1065-1072.

Hui, D. S., Lee, N., & Chan, P. K. (2010). Clinical management of pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection. Chest, 137(4), 916-925.

Jadhav, S. M. (2016). Advancement in Swine Flu. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research, 3(1).

Satyadev, S. A., Divyanjali, B., & Prajyna, C. H. K. K. (2015). SWINE FLU (H1N1 VIRUS): A PANDEMIC GLOBAL HAZARD. International Journal of Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Biological Sciences, 5(3).

Shah, A., & Krishnamurthy, R. (2013). Swine flu and its herbal remedies. Int J Eng Sci, 2(2), 68-78.