Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type a influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Source: cdc

About India Development Gateway

InDG (India Development Gateway) is a country-wide initiative that will target specific country needs in the domain of rural and social development. The Gateway is the National portal of India developed as a single-window access to information and services, with specific objective of reaching the ‘un-reached’ rural communities of India, especially women and poor.

The Gateway aims to provide credible information products and services that respond to the real and strategic needs of the rural communities, especially the marginalised and poor, in their local language. It will catalyse the use of ICT tools for knowledge sharing, leading to development. The Gateway essentially uses local Indian languages to communicate with the majority of Indian population. English will also be used. The Gateway presently focuses on few key areas – namely, Health (including Water and Sanitation), Primary Education, Agriculture and Allied Activities, Rural Energy and Environment, and e - Governance. InDG will continuously update and add areas of crucial importance to rural development.

InDG hopes to bridge the gap between the rural communities and development, by providing links to civil society groups / NGOs and academic institutions. The ultimate goal is to create a service-oriented, people-friendly and demystified Information Technology (ICT) for Development in service of rural communities through country-wide collaborations.