Diagnosis of Swine Flu
The H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, is a contagious disease commonly found in pigs; however, in March 2009 it began infecting humans. In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared the spread of swine flu a pandemic.
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Symptoms
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Swine flu symptoms are similar to those of typical flu. Patients can get a fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills, fatigue, aches, diarrhea and vomiting.
Swab Test
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A patient displaying flu-like symptoms can be diagnosed by obtaining a swab sample from the nasopharynx, which determines if the patient has influenza type A or B. However, the test isn't completely accurate; a positive for type B suggests that it's probably not swine flu, and a positive for type A suggests that it's either swine flu or a typical strain of the flu.
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Laboratory Testing
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There is a more accurate test, which must be done in a special laboratory, in which researchers determine the virus' antigens. This is usually recommended only for patients who have been hospitalized.
Treatment
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Swine flu can be prevented by vaccination by either injection or nasal spray. Antiviral agents used for influenza A and B can also help, but there is risk of the virus developing a resistance.
Warnings
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Certain types of people are more susceptible to flu than others. This includes small children, adults above age 65, pregnant women and people who suffer from other diseases like cancer, diabetes and lung disease.
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