WHO has upgraded sine flu as a global pandemic with more than one third of the persons susceptible to infection. Swine flu virus is a hybrid virus containing both human flu virus and swine flu virus. This alters the genetic behavior of the virus and that is why scientists are hard pressed to find a cure. Swine flu was first found in Mexico where it was transmitted from pig to man. And then it acquired global dimensions due to air travel and other sources of spread. The virus is named H1N1 virus.
Symptoms:
Fever, chills, cough, cold, difficulty in breathing and other flu like symptoms.
Treatment:
Isolation and then treating the person with Oseltamivir.
Vaccination:
Pharmaceutical companies around the world are developing vaccines for over a month but they will not be available for trial before October or December. Vaccine productions began in earnest once the situation in some countries deteriorated. The U.S., the U.K., and Japan are almost in stage of clinical trials. Using reverse genetics, the outer coating of the virus is removed and placed on a harmless human virus PR8. The virus is grown inside chicken eggs and then refined. These viruses do not harm man but provide immunity against infection. Hope of combating swine flu is just around the corner. Still, vaccines have been produced but are not ready to be licensed yet!
