DIAGNOSIS AND PREVENTION OF SWINE FLU

INTRODUCTION
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. When this happens, these viruses are called "variant viruses." The disease originally was nicknamed swine flu because the virus that causes the disease originally jumped to humans from the live pigs in which it evolved. The virus is a "reassortant" -- a mix of genes from swine, bird, and human flu viruses.
The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness, although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days.
It spreads like common flu directly from airborne droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person or contact with an object contaminated by the cough or touch of an infected person and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. Infected persons are assumed to be shedding virus and potentially infectious from the day prior to illness onset until resolution of fever. Infected persons should be assumed to be contagious up to 7 days from illness onset. Some persons who are infected might potentially shed virus and be contagious for longer periods (e.g. young infants, immune suppressed persons).
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
High grade fever
Unusual tiredness 
Headache
Runny nose
Sore throat
Shortness of breath or cough
Loss of appetite 
Aching muscles
Diarrhoea or vomiting


People at higher risk of serious complications include those aged over 65, children below 5 years , pregnant women (especially during the third trimester) and those of any age with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or a weakened immune system (e.g., taking immunosuppressive medications or infected with HIV).

Symptoms in severe cases
The following constitute "emergency warning signs" and immediate care is advisable if a person experiences any one of these signs:
In adults:
Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Low temperature

In children:
Fast breathing or working hard to breathe
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
Not waking up or not interacting
Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
Flu-like symptoms which improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Fever with a rash
Being unable to eat
Having no tears when crying
DIAGNOSIS
A confirmed case of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an influenza-like illness with laboratory confirmed novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection by one or more of the following tests:
real-time RT-PCR
viral culture 
PRECAUTION
The following are DOs & DON'Ts to prevent the further spread of Swine Flu among healthy people:
  DOs DON'Ts
  Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when coughing and sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
Avid crowded places
Stay more than one arm's length distance from persons sick and flu
Get plenty of sleep
Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food Hugging and shaking hands when greeting.
Spit in public
Take medicines without consulting a physician
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
MANAGEMENT
Some of the commonly used Homoeopathic medicines like ARSENIC ALB, BELL, BRYONIA ALBA, HEPAR SULPH, MERC. SOL, GELSEMIUM, RHUS TOX, EUPATORIUM PERF, SABADILLA, INFLUENZINUM can be given on the basis of the individual totality.
Always take homoeopathic medicine under supervision of qualified homoeopathic Physician.