Swine flu why is it called that

Six of the eight genes found within the H1N1 influenza virus are associated with influenza viruses that regularly cause illness in pigs in North America. The remaining two genes of the H1N1 flu virus are associated with influenza viruses that previously were only known to be circulating among pigs from Eurasia.

In fact, a study in Nature demonstrated that reassortant influenza viruses with genes from North American and Eurasian pigs were found in samples collected from pigs in Hong Kong as early as Evidence suggests that the H1N1 influenza virus has existed and evolved in nature for some time prior to being detected in humans. There are laboratory techniques available for looking at how and at what speed influenza viruses evolve and change.

Generally speaking, influenza viruses generate mutations by passing from one animal to another animal for several years and through virus replication in the animal host.

These mutations are represented by changes in the nucleotides and amino acids found within influenza viruses. These small changes occur at a relatively stable rate in all influenza viruses. As a result, scientists can compare the number of mutations found within a new influenza virus with older, related influenza viruses to estimate the amount of time that it may have taken for one strain to evolve into a new strain of influenza virus.

Researchers at CDC used this molecular evolution method to determine that the H1N1 influenza virus likely evolved in nature — perhaps through circulation in an unknown animal host — for a number of years before being detected. Research so far suggests that the H1N1 influenza virus is changing at a normal rate as compared to other influenza viruses. The H1N1 influenza virus does not have the adaptations that are typical of influenza viruses grown or created in laboratories.

For example, the standard method of growing influenza virus in laboratories involves injecting the virus into fertilized chicken eggs. The H1N1 influenza virus lacks the properties associated with growth in eggs.

Prior to the discovery of the H1N1 influenza virus, this particular combination of gene segments from North American and Eurasian swine had never been detected before in a single influenza virus and this new virus is different from the influenza viruses that normally circulate in North American and Eurasian pigs.

It is not known when reassortment occurred to create the H1N1 influenza virus. Testing of the virus suggests that this reassortment event may have occurred years prior to the first reports of H1N1 influenza infection in people. Pigs can be infected by influenza viruses found in birds and other animals as well as people. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.

Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze. Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with H1N1 flu can go to work as usual.

These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including covering their coughs and sneezes and washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, they should use an alcohol-based hand rub. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

CDC recommends that when you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands. A downloadable flyer containing this information also is available. Fever can be one of the symptoms of a flu-like illness for many people.

A fever is an oral temperature of at least degrees Fahrenheit Signs of a fever include chills, a flushed appearance, feeling very warm, or sweating. Fever-reducing medicines typically contain acetaminophen such as Tylenol or ibuprofen such as Motrin. These medicines can both help bring fever down and relieve pain. To help avoid spreading the flu, if you have a fever, stay at home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever.

However, if you're taking fever-reducing medicines, you cannot tell if your fever is truly gone. Therefore, when you start to feel better, increase the interval between doses of fever-reducing medicines and continue to monitor your temperature to make sure your fever does not return.

Joe Bresee describes the main symptoms of flu, including H1N1 flu, and when it is serious enough to seek medical help. In children:. Joe Bresee explains the nature of antiviral drugs and how they are used. The intent of these parties is for a person to become infected with what for many people has been a mild disease, in the hope of having natural immunity H1N1 flu virus that might circulate later and cause more severe disease. CDC does not recommend "swine flu parties" as a way to protect against H1N1 flu in the future.

While the disease seen in the current H1N1 flu outbreak has been mild for many people, it has been severe and even fatal for others. There is no way to predict with certainty what the outcome will be for an individual or, equally important, for others to whom the intentionally infected person may spread the virus. Vaccination against H1N1 with a H1N1 vaccine is the best way to protect against this virus.

CDC recommends that people with H1N1 flu avoid contact with others as much as possible. Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents soap , iodophors iodine-based antiseptics , and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time.

If soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful. Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.

Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

To prevent the spread of influenza virus, it is recommended that tissues and other disposable items used by an infected person be thrown in the trash. Additionally, persons should wash their hands with soap and water after touching used tissues and similar waste.

To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label. Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.

Linens such as bed sheets and towels should be washed by using household laundry soap and tumbled dry on a hot setting. You can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Learn More Related Issues Specifics. See, Play and Learn No links available. Resources Find an Expert.

For You Patient Handouts. You can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.

You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.