H1N1 Flu: Swine Flu: A Global Perspective

Abstract

Swine influenza virus (SIV) is an infection caused by any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is usually prevalent in pigs. It is also called H1N1 flu, swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu. Actually, swine influenza (swine flu) is a common respiratory disease of pigs caused by type “A” influenza viruses. As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza “C” and the subtypes of influenza “A” known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood. If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called Zoonotic swine flu. Symptoms of Zoonotic swine flu in humans are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses no risk of infection when properly cooked. Infact, it is a literature work. So, the objective of this paper is to study the present global situation of swine flu with its historical perspective.