Health experts are bracing for a global epidemic of swine flu, but reassure that it is expected to be less lethal than the avian flu that swept through the world in the past four years (the last victim was reported earlier this week in Egypt). Swine flu victims exhibit similar symptoms to patients infected with the avian flu (or bird flu), and the transmission of the swine flu is wider compared to the avian flu. However, health professionals claim that it results in death in far fewer of cases.
Swine flu symptoms include high fever, body aches, headaches, coughing, sore throat, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue and chills. The disease is transmitted directly between people, and not through animals, making it highly contagious. A single cough of an infected person can transmit the sickness to an entire room full of people
Since the first case of swine flue was detected by Mexican laboratories in March 18, hundreds of thousands of people exposed to the strain have travelled from Mexico to other parts of the world, and it is expected that new cases will be reported at any minute from countries all over the globe.
Nevertheless, authorities warn that the swine flu should not create the global panic which has been felt in the past week. This is due to the fact that it is far less dangerous to patients, and also to the fact that simple precautions can protect from the swine flu: simply staying away from people already infected and breathing through a simple filter such as cloth can defend against most chances of infection.
In addition, an effective medication already exists to treat victims - experts around the world have already concluded that Tamiflu drug should be used to treat the new strain, and will be an efficient countermeasure. It takes about 24 hours to detect the virus called H1N1.
As of today, health authorities in Mexico confirmed that over 150 people died of the swine flu. In Texas and California, where the virus has also been found, the patients were fully recovered. This difference highlights the key factor needed to effectively combat the swine flu – advanced medical services infrastructure. Many specialists claim that the Mexicans are now paying the price of low investment in their public health sector
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