It is a disease of pigs. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by one of many Influenza . Most commonly, swine flu is of the H1N1 influenza subtype. However, they can sometimes come from the other types, such as H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2. The current outbreak of swine flu that has infected humans is of the H1N1 type.

In March/April 2009 human cases of influenza A swine fever (H1N1) were first reported in California and Texas. Later other states also reported cases. A significant number of human cases during the same period have also been reported in Mexico – starting just in Mexico City, but now throughout various parts of the country. More cases are being reported in Canada, Europe, and New Zealand – mainly from people who have been in Mexico.

BANGKOK: — Thailand’s overall influenza A (H1N1) patient count reached 4,469. The new strain of flu has claimed 24 lives in Thailand, even as several Bangkok schools resumed classes after being closed earlier this week to prevent the potential spread of the new virus strain among students.

What is a virus

A virus means toxin or poison It is a microscopic organism consisting of genetic material (RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein, lipid (fat), or glycoprotein coat. Viruses are unique organisms because they cannot reproduce without a host cell. After contacting a host cell, a virus will insert genetic material into the host and take over the host’s functions. The cell, now infected, continues to reproduce, but it reproduces more viral protein and genetic material instead of its usual products. It is this process that earns viruses .

How are viruses spread?

Viruses may spread vertically (from mother to child) or horizontally (from person to person). A virus’s ability to spread depends on the makeup of the virus.

Some viruses can spread by simple contact, exchanges of saliva, coughing, or sneezing. Some require sexual contact, while others go through the oral route via contaminated food or water. Still other viruses require an insect like a mosquito to carry the virus from person to person.

What diseases are caused by viruses?

Several human diseases are caused by viruses. These include:

· Smallpox

· The common cold

· Measles

· Chickenpox

· Hepatitis

· swine influenza

· Polio

· Rabies

· Ebola

· Hanta fever

· HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)

· Cold sores

· SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome)

· Dengue

· Epstein-Barr virus

· Some types of cancer

How do we fight viruses?

When the body’s immune system detects a viral infection, it begins to respond in a generic way. A process begins called RNA interference, which is crucial to fighting viruses because it degrades the viral genetic material and enables cells to survive the infection. The immune system also produces specific antibodies that are capable of binding to viruses and making them non-infectious. In addition, the body’s T cells are sent to destroy the virus.

Although most viral infections result in a protective response from the immune system, viruses such as HIV specialize in evading the immune system by using a number of different techniques. Neurotropic viruses are also very capable of avoiding our natural immune system’s response to infection.

How are viruses prevented and treated?

Whereas bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections require either vaccinations to prevent them or antiviral drugs to treat them.

Vaccinations are generally the cheapest and most effect way to prevent viruses. Currently, vaccinations exist for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and smallpox among others. In fact, vaccinations have been instrumental in eliminating diseases such as smallpox and reducing other viral diseases to extremely rare status. Virus vaccinations consist of a weakened form of the virus (live-attenuated viruses) or viral proteins called antigens. Live-attenuated vaccines carry the risk causing the original disease in people with weak immune systems.

Tips By: Dr. HIRDESH SAXENA

Contact E-mail: drhirdeshsaxena@gmail.com