Swine flu is infection by influenza virus, scientifically called an h1n1 virus. In the mild forms it presents as common cold (running nose, cough, body aches, mild fever) but in some patients (in a small minority of people) it may become severe and causes pneumonia. Its characteristic feature is that it involves both lungs at the same time and in a very short time so suddenly patient starts developing difficulty in breathing. At this stage some patients require oxygen support and in most severe cases ventilator support may be required. No one can predict that who will develop the severe disease but some people are more susceptible for the same including pregnant women, diabetic patients, and patients having long standing lung, heart, liver or kidney related diseases.
In most of the cases, this flu passes away with simple common cold and these people require only symptomatic treatment and they need not to worry but in severe cases and in the susceptible group as mentioned above specific antiviral drug is given. The best way is to protect yourself and others by maintaining hygiene. Always use hankies or tissues for wiping a nose, cover your face while coughing, wash hands after coughing and sneezing if you have the flu, drink plenty of water.
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