What is Swine-Flu?

A person is said to have Swine-Flu when he experiences an acute attack of respiratory illness with the presence of swine influenza-A (H1N1) virus in his body fluids". 2009 Swine-Flu strain was first seen in Mexico and it is termed as H1N1 flu because, it is mainly found infecting human beings and exhibits two main surface antigens, viz., H1 (Hemagglutinin type1) and N1 (Neuraminidase type1) . Swine influenza virus was first isolated from pigs in 1930 in U.S.A. In several instances, people have developed Swine-Flu infection, when they were closely associated with pigs (e.g. farmers, pork processors). Likewise, pig population has occasionally been infected with the human fluid infection. Swine-Flu produces almost same symptoms in pigs as in human beings. Swine-Flu (Swine influenza) is a respiratory disease caused by viruses (Influenza viruses) that infect the respiratory tract and result in nasal secretions, a barking like cough, decreased appetite and listless behaviour. Under normal circumstances, the cross species infections (Swine virus to man, human fluid virus to pigs) have remained in local areas and have not spread to other parts of the country. Swine-Flu can last about 15 days, whether in pigs or humans. Unfortunately, this cross species infection with influenza viruses has begun to spread worldwide nowadays.