Swine Flu is a global virus, a Pandemic, that can be traced back to the outbreak of 1918. (See below for details on this.)
When to seek emergency care for swine flu
For Everyone
Most fatalities of the H1N1 2009-10 Swine Flu are caused by respiratory failure, brought on by the complication of pneumonia. When symptoms of the flu go away and then return, stronger, it is a sign of pneumonia. If you have the following symptoms, go to the emergency room. (See below for a detailed list of symptoms of H1N1 2009-10 swine flu.)
For children and those who can not talk or communicate very well
Kids cry instead of talking, giving little in the way of where or what the issue is. Watch for skin to change colors, to a gray or blue, which means they are not getting enough oxygen. Also, if you can’t get them up or get them to interact with you.
Adults/Elderly
Confusion, heaviness or pain in the chest or lower abdomen, hard time breathing, sudden dizziness, weakness, severe vomiting or diarrhea.
How long it lasts/ Incubation
2-60 days, depending on the strength of the patient and the strength of the virus. Most people are over the swine flu 9-21 days after their symptoms start. The incubation is 2-7 days for everyone except for younger patients, who may take up to 10 days to start showing signs of the virus.
Tip:
Do not take chances. If you have done any of the following in the last three weeks and now have flu symptoms, get to a doctor.
A.) Traveled to an area known to be infected.
B.) Had contact with someone who has traveled to infected areas.
C.) Contact with an infected person or animal.
How 2009-10 H1N1 can be linked to the 1918 Pandemic
In 1918, humans gave the flu to pigs, who mixed their new virus with the human strain and produced swine flu, which then raced around the world, killing over a million and a half people. It was the first pig flu reported that people could catch and as a result, it is the ‘mother’ of all swine flu. Not sure you understand? Look at it this way. If you breed two horses, colts ten generations later will still have the DNA markers of the first two, due to genetics. Flu works the same way, so all current strains of pig flu are related to the 918 outbreak because it was the first strain of swine flu.
Sources:
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1918 _flu_pandemic –
www.healthcave.com/how-long-do es-swine-flu-last/
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swin e_influenza
