Swine Flu : A Pandemic Disease of 2009

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By Vipin Chauhan

Swine Flu is a respiratory disease of pigs, caused by H1N1 virus, a strain of influenza A type virus. This new strain appears to be a result of re-assorting human influenza, avian influenza, and swine influenza viruses; its 80 – 120 nm in size and roughly spherical in shape, with a viral envelope surrounding the central core. H and N refers to heamagglutinin and neuraminidase, glycoproteins present on the surface of the viral envelope.


Swine Flu was first detected in Mexico. As of November 1st 2009, more than 199 countries worldwide have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1, totaling over 482,300 cases with at least 6,071 deaths. In India, through November 8th 2009, confirmed cases were counted at 14,477 and deaths at 485. On August 3rd 2009, a 14 years old school girl died of swine flu in Pune, Maharashtra; this was the first case detected in India.

Influenza can be spread in three main ways: by direct transmission, through aerosols, and through hand-to-mouth transmission. The most common symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort. Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are neuraminidase inhibitors designed to halt the spreading virus in a human body. These drugs are recommended by CDC but should be taken only after the diagnosis. Molecular technique is used for rapid diagnosis of swine flu. This involves RNA extraction and then detection of four genes (Human influenza A, Swine A, Swine H1and RNase P) trough RT-PCR. If these genes are expressed, it’s presumed that H1N1 virus is present in the sample.

Good personal hygiene habits, like hand washing and avoiding mucous release by spitting,  covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, are effective measures in reducing influenza transmission. There are two administration forms for the vaccine containing the novel swine flu virus; one is the injection with the killed form and another is the live modified virus in the intranasal spray. Because this is predominantly a young people’s illness, the vaccine is currently being provided to the pediatric population and to pregnant women. As more vaccines become available, other groups should also receive it. Just like the regular flu season though, it will still be a challenge to cope with this emerging worldwide problem.


NOTE:“Get vaccinated. Vaccination is the best protection we have against flu. Seasonal flu vaccine is now available and initial doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine are also available, with additional doses available later this year.”-CDC H1N1 Flu

Note: This article has been shortlisted for "$1000 Health Articles Contest."

The copyright of the article, "Swine Flu, a Pandemic Disease of 2009" in "Interesting Health Articles" is owned by Vipin Chauhan,Department of Microbiology and Immunology,SMS Medical College, Jaipur. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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