swine flu, H1N1 tripartite
Friday, May 15th, 2009
Ever since the alarm jumped on the first cases of transmission of tripartite virus H1N1 (human/to make haste/pig) of the pig to the man, newspapers speak on a daily basis of swine flu. The WHO (World-wide Organization of the Health) is thinking about raising the pandemic alert until level 5 on 6, since the virus extends quickly and its spread is already at world-wide level. Nevertheless, confirmed mortal cases of pig influenza outside Mexico do not exist.
What it is more hopeful is that to confront the pig influenza, we count on past experiences and tools that we have nowadays: Antiviral drugs, systems of attention and monitoring epidemiologist system, the WHO, a greater organization and cooperation between countries, etc.
On the other hand, it is a disease that is transmitted by the air, not by the consumption of pig meat.
Going to the hospital with the first symptoms (high fever, headache, nasal congestion and general fatigue), doctors have 24 to 48h to diagnose the disease and to administer an antiviral drug called Tamiflu (used in the bird influenza). Symptoms appear within 10 days after having been in contact with the virus.
We have to highlight that in spite of the fast expansion of the virus, treatments are successful and people are safe within a few days.
Lamentably, the government of Mexico, place of origin of the epidemic, is not absolutely transparent. It is the only place where mortal cases happened, and it does not know itself why this virus has arisen in this country.
We hope that the virus does not mutate, and that Mexico clarifies some details still unknown. In any case, the pig is not guilty … after all; we passed the influenza to him. Unfortunately, it has been given back to the Human.