Swine flu (H1N1 virus) symptoms, how to treat. Swine flu (H1N1) features and symptoms, treatment and prevention of the disease in adults and children. Swine flu vaccination and the development of complications of influenza infection

“Swine” flu has spread throughout Russia - diagnoses are officially confirmed every day in different parts of the country, and in total several thousand people are hospitalized with suspicion of this disease. In order to protect our readers from panic and empty rumors about it, we found out what the “swine” flu actually threatens and how you can protect yourself from it.

What is swine flu?

So, “swine” flu is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease, discovered in 1931 by the American scientist Richard Shope.

According to the official classification, it belongs to type A (the most common type of influenza, causing the largest epidemics). The most common subtype of swine flu is H1N1, with less common subtypes H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2. Spreads by airborne droplets. Symptoms - heat, fever, fever. At the same time, mortality in animals is low and usually does not exceed 4% of the number of sick individuals.

Currently, the 2009 H1N1 influenza epidemic has been assigned threat level 6 (pandemic) according to the WHO classification. The degree of threat does not characterize the danger of a disease to human life, but indicates its ability to spread. That is, any flu transmitted from person to person can reach the sixth degree of threat.

However, WHO's concerns are related to the genetic novelty of the strain and its potential ability for further reassortment (recombination, mixing of viruses), as a result of which more aggressive variants of infection may arise. Then, by analogy with the most destructive pandemics of the last century, this swine flu will lead to serious human losses after a certain (usually six-month) period, accompanied by relatively moderate mortality.

Good news:

• in contrast to the bird flu H5N1, which was radically alien to us, which never learned to be transmitted from person to person, but was very virulent (a large percentage of those sick died = more than 50%), the current “swine” flu, although it is a new reassortant (hybrid virus) ) with new ones antigenic properties, is much less virulent, and the vast majority of people recover on their own.

Bad news:

• The antigenic properties of the new “swine” flu and circulating H1N1 in humans are too different, and therefore last season’s vaccine containing the H1N1 strain is not particularly effective here.
• Having reassorted into a pig, the new hybrid has learned to be transmitted from person to person, and therefore a massive epidemic (or even a pandemic) cannot be avoided.

How do you know if you have the flu?

You are more likely to have the flu if some or all of these symptoms are present:

• heat*
• cough
• a sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• feeling tired
• sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

*It is important to note that not everyone who gets the flu will have a fever.

What to do if you get sick?

If you become ill with flu-like symptoms during the flu season, you should stay home and avoid contact with others while awaiting medical attention. Most people with swine flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral medications, as with seasonal flu.

However, people who are more susceptible to complications from the flu should talk to their healthcare provider about getting tested if they have flu symptoms during the season. These categories of people include:

• Children under 5 years of age, but especially children under 2 years of age
• People 65 years and older
• Pregnant women
• People who have:
  • Blood diseases (including sickle cell disease)
  • Chronic lung disease [including asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)]
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disorders
  • Liver disorders
  • Neurological disorders (including nervous system, brain or spinal cord)
  • Neuromuscular disorders (including muscular dystrophy and complex sclerosis)
  • Weakened immune system (including people with AIDS)

Development serious illness perhaps healthy people due to swine flu, so anyone concerned about their health should consult their doctor.

Listed here alarming symptoms, in which any person must immediately receive medical attention.

What are the warning signs?

• Rapid or difficult breathing
• Leather gray or with a bluish tint
• Not drinking enough
• Reluctance to wake up or lack of activity
• An agitated state in which the baby resists being picked up

In adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Some relief of flu symptoms that later return with fever and worsening cough

Are there medicines against swine flu?

Yes. There are antiviral medications that your doctor can prescribe for both seasonal flu and swine flu. These drugs can quickly get you back on your feet and can also prevent serious complications. During this flu season, antiviral drugs are used primarily to treat people with severe illness, including those who require hospitalization; and to treat people who are most at risk for serious complications from the flu. Your doctor will decide whether antiviral drugs are needed to treat your condition.

Should I take any medication to prevent swine flu?

No. You should only take antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir or zanamivir if your doctor tells you to. You should not buy medications to prevent or control this new infection without a prescription.

How long to stay home if you are sick?

You need to stay at home at least, 24 hours after the high temperature disappears, unless you call for medical care.

Your fever should go away without using a fever reducer. You should stay home and not go to work, school, travel, shopping, social events or public gatherings.

What should you do when you are sick?

Stay away from others as much as possible to avoid infecting them. If you need to leave your home, for example to get medical care, wear a face mask if you have one or cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Also, wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading the flu to others.

When preparing this article, materials from portals were used

Headings

The H1N1 flu became more famous due to the mass panic that arose around it in 2009. WHO was forced to declare a pandemic. The infection began on the American continent and gradually spread to other countries.

The disease is better known as swine flu, as it is transmitted from pigs to humans (from person to person too). Caused by influenza A viruses. The hype began due to the discovery of a new strain formed by mixing swine, avian and human viruses. It was subsequently recognized that the panic was completely in vain. This was confirmed by statistical data - cases fatal outcome from swine flu no more than the normal seasonal rate was recorded.

The n1h1 virus itself is nothing new. It was opened back in 1931. For half a century it was found in North American and Mexican pigs. Gradually it began to be detected in humans. These were mainly workers who, due to their occupation, came into contact with sick animals.

In 2009, WHO published data that laboratory research Just over half a million cases of swine flu have been confirmed. Individuals were more susceptible to the new strain age category 5 years - 24 years.

Among Russians in the same year, about 2.5 thousand cases were registered. There were also deaths.

What pathogen causes the disease?

Initially the pathogen this flu could cause infection only in pigs. Then, gradually mutating in the body of animals, it learned to enter the human body. It is the mutated virus that reaches people, but a pure swine virus cannot infect them, since it is too different cellular structure this animal and representative of the human race.

IN human body The virus continued to mutate and had already acquired the ability to be transmitted from person to person. This has already accelerated its spread (for example, over the entire last century Only 50 cases of the disease were reported) and worried the world's population. There were no vaccines against H1N1 in 2009.

A person infected with the swine flu virus becomes a source of infection about a day before he or she develops flu-like symptoms. This condition, dangerous for others, lasts for about a week, that is, for that long he is contagious. About 15% of those who become ill and begin treatment release the virus into environment within 2 weeks.

Infection occurs in the following ways:

1. Airborne, or aerogenic. When a patient sneezes or coughs, the virus enters the environment. For those nearby, it is dangerous to be closer than one and a half to two meters to the source of infection.
2. Contact and household. The patient’s discharge settles on household items and surroundings (tables, chairs). Then they end up on the hands and mucous membranes of others. The virus lives outside the body for up to 2 hours, sometimes longer.

The virus can affect anyone, but children (5 years of age or younger), older people over 65, women expecting children, and people with chronic illnesses (eg, infectious diseases, HIV and a number of others).

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How does the disease manifest itself?

During the normal course of H1N1 influenza clinical picture similar to seasonal flu. But there are some differences. Incubation period, that is, the period of time that lasts from the moment of infection until the appearance of the first symptoms is approximately from a day to 4 days. The patient complains of high temperature (up to 39 degrees), general weakness, pain in muscle tissue, aches and lethargy. In addition to the main manifestations of the disease, there are signs respiratory disease(cough, tickling, lack of air). Symptoms of swine flu differ from seasonal ones in that about half of patients experience nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea is possible.

If the disease is severe, the patient experiences shortness of breath, constant nausea and severe vomiting, blue lips. Signs of dehydration and convulsions are noticeable. The patient's consciousness is confused. The temperature does not decrease for more than 5 days even if the patient takes antipyretics.

Swine flu has a dangerous complication - pneumonia. It develops approximately from 3 days from the onset of the disease. The patient experiences respiratory failure: the respiratory rate reaches 40, which is almost three times the norm. When breathing, the abdominal muscles actively work. A dry cough plagues the patient. The skin turns blue. In some cases, such pneumonia leads to pulmonary edema.

In addition to pneumonia, complications can include infectious myocarditis, pericarditis, hemorrhagic syndrome.

After suffering from the disease, a person develops short-term immunity - for 1 year.

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Diagnosis and treatment of H1N1 influenza

It is difficult for a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis due to the similarity of the symptoms of swine flu with seasonal flu. Therefore, the doctor relies on the following features:

• whether there was contact with a person who came from countries in an endemic zone, or whether the patient himself arrived from there;
• gastrointestinal disorders at high temperatures;
• dry, strong cough with no sore throat;
• development of pneumonia.

To clarify the diagnosis, it is carried out laboratory diagnostics, for which samples of nasopharyngeal mucus are taken to test for the presence of the H1N1 virus.

If a sick person suspects that he has swine flu, then he should not visit places where there are many people, or it is better not to leave the house at all. You should protect your family from possible infection what to use it for medical mask. You need to call a doctor.

The patient may be referred for treatment to a hospital if the disease is severe when the diagnosis is clarified. If a child is sick, old man or those who have chronic illnesses are hospitalized with a moderate form of the disease. If the diagnosis of H1N1 influenza is confirmed, then hospitalization is mandatory for everyone. In the hospital the patient is prescribed bed rest and specific therapy.

For increase protective properties body is prescribed to the patient complete diet power with increased content protein, vitamins A, B, C. Required intake large quantity fluids to reduce fever.

If pneumonia develops, antibacterial therapy is prescribed (if it is proven that pneumonia occurred from bacteria). Special attention in the treatment process is given to children and pregnant women. Children should not take medications containing aspirin, so paracetamol or Nurofen is prescribed to reduce fever.

Pregnant women are advised to drink plenty of fluids only if there is no swelling. Medicines should be taken with extreme caution and only after consulting a doctor (not only a therapist, but also a gynecologist managing the pregnancy).

is a highly contagious disease of animals and humans caused by the influenza virus serotype A (H1N1) and prone to pandemic spread. In its course, swine flu resembles the usual seasonal flu (fever, weakness, body aches, sore throat, rhinorrhea), but differs from it in some features (the development of dyspeptic syndrome). Diagnosis is based on clinical signs; to determine the type of virus, PCR, virological and serological studies. Treatment of swine flu involves the prescription of antiviral (interferons, umifenovir, oseltamivir, kagocel) and symptomatic (antipyretics, antihistamines, etc.) drugs.

The pathogenesis of swine flu is generally similar pathological changes, occurring in the body during normal seasonal influenza. Replication and reproduction of the virus occurs in the epithelium respiratory tract and is accompanied by superficial damage to the cells of the tracheobronchial tree, their degeneration, necrosis and desquamation. During the period of viremia, which lasts 10–14 days, toxic and toxic-allergic reactions from internal organs predominate.

Swine flu symptoms

The incubation period for swine flu ranges from 1 to 4-7 days. Infected person becomes infectious already at the end of the incubation period and continues to actively release viruses for another 1-2 weeks, even against the background of ongoing therapy. Heaviness clinical manifestations swine flu varies from asymptomatic to severe and fatal. In typical cases, the symptoms of swine flu resemble those of ARVI and seasonal flu. The disease begins with an increase in temperature to 39-40°C, lethargy, weakness, muscle aches, arthralgia, and lack of appetite. In severe intoxication, intense headaches occur, mainly in the frontal region, pain in eyeballs, aggravated by eye movement, photophobia. Catarrhal syndrome develops, accompanied by a sore and sore throat, runny nose, and dry cough. Characteristic distinctive feature swine flu, observed in 30-45% of patients, is the occurrence of dyspeptic syndrome (abdominal pain, constant nausea, repeated vomiting, diarrhea).

Most a common complication Swine flu is caused by primary (viral) or secondary (bacterial, often pneumococcal) pneumonia. Primary pneumonia usually occurs already on the 2-3rd day of illness and can lead to the development of respiratory distress syndrome and death. Possible development of infectious-allergic myocarditis, pericarditis, hemorrhagic syndrome, meningoencephalitis, cardiovascular and respiratory failure. Swine flu aggravates and aggravates the course of concomitant somatic diseases, which affects the overall prospects of recovery.

Diagnosis and treatment of swine flu

Making a preliminary diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of purely pathognomonic signs and the similarity of symptoms of swine and seasonal flu. Therefore, definitive diagnosis is impossible without laboratory identification of the viral pathogen. In order to determine the RNA of the influenza A (H1N1) virus, a nasopharyngeal swab is examined PCR method. Virological diagnosis involves cultivating the swine flu virus in chicken embryos or cell culture. For IgM determinations and IgG in the blood serum, serological tests are performed - RSK, RTGA, ELISA. Infection with the swine flu virus is indicated by an increase in the titer of specific antibodies by more than 4 times.

Treatment of swine flu consists of etiotropic and symptomatic therapy. From antiviral drugs interferons (alpha interferon, alpha-2b interferon), oseltamivir, zanamivir, umifenovir, kagocel are recommended. Symptomatic therapy includes taking antipyretics, antihistamines, vasoconstrictor drugs, infusion of electrolyte solutions. For secondary bacterial pneumonia, prescribed antibacterial agents(penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides).

Forecast and prevention of swine flu

The prognosis for swine flu is significantly more favorable than for bird flu. Most people get swine flu in mild form and make a full recovery. Severe forms of infection develop in 5% of cases. Fatalities from swine flu are recorded in less than 4% of cases. Nonspecific prevention swine flu is similar to other acute respiratory viral infections: avoid contact with persons with symptoms colds, frequent washing hands with soap, hardening of the body, ventilation and disinfection of premises during the season of rising viral infections. For specific prevention swine flu vaccine Grippol and others are recommended.

“Swine flu” is an acute, highly contagious infection, caused by the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus, transmitted from pigs and humans to humans, with high susceptibility among the population as the pandemic develops and is characterized by fever, respiratory syndrome and severe course with the possibility of death.

The swine flu virus itself was discovered in 1930 by Richard Shoup (USA). For 50-60 years, this virus was found and circulated only among pigs in North America and Mexico. Then swine flu was recorded sporadically in humans, mainly in pig farm workers and veterinarians.

We all remember the last sensational swine flu epidemic in 2009 (the so-called California/2009), about which the public was emotionally and persistently informed by the media mass media. The epidemic has been spreading since March 2009. The first cases of infection with an unknown strain of the virus were reported in Mexico City, and then in Canada and the United States. IN epidemic process Many countries were involved - USA, Canada, Mexico, Chile, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Russia, China, Japan and many others. As of the end of October, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 537,248 cases of swine flu were laboratory confirmed. The greatest susceptibility was noted among the group of people from 5 to 24 years old, with children under 5 years of age in second place. During the epidemic, the virus was assigned danger class 6 (that is, registration of a swine flu pandemic, which is easily transmitted from person to person, and the disease covers many countries and continents). By official information WHO cases fatal outcome following the results of the pandemic (California/2009) amounted to 17.4 thousand people. The pandemic came to Russia in the fall of 2009, with its peak at the end of October - beginning of November. In total, more than 2,500 patients with a confirmed diagnosis were registered. There were deaths.

The causative agent of swine flu

There are several subtypes of the swine influenza virus (H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, H3N1), but only the H1N1 subtype has acquired highly pathogenic properties and the ability to be transmitted from person to person. The influenza A (H1N1) virus is the result of crossing the human influenza A (H1N1) virus and the swine flu virus, as a result the virus mutated and became highly pathogenic, and it is called the California/2009 pandemic virus. Just like the regular human influenza virus, the pandemic virus has hemagglutinin in its envelope (promotes the attachment of the virus to the cell) and neuraminidase (promotes the penetration of the virus into the cell).

Swine flu virus

Reasons for the spread of swine flu

The source of infection is pigs (sick or carriers of the virus) and sick people. A sick person becomes contagious a day before symptoms of the disease appear and during the week of illness. Accordingly, potential patients at the end of the incubation period are of great epidemic importance. Up to 15% of patients continue to shed the virus for 10-14 days during treatment.

Mechanisms of infection:
- aerogenic ( airborne) – the patient’s discharge is dangerous when sneezing, coughing – 1.5-2 meters in diameter;
- contact-household - dangerous discharge of the patient on the hands of others, as well as on household items (tables, surfaces, towels, cups) - the virus retains its properties for 2 hours or more (the virus can be transferred from hands to mucous membranes) oral cavity and eyes).

Susceptibility to infection is universal. There are risk groups for developing severe forms of swine flu:
- children under 5 years old;
- adults over 65 years of age;
- pregnant women;
- persons with accompanying chronic diseases(chronic pulmonary diseases, oncology, blood diseases, liver diseases, urinary system, hearts, diabetes, as well as infectious immunodeficiencies, such as HIV).

Clinical symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of regular seasonal flu, with minor differences. The incubation period (from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first complaints) for swine flu lasts from a day to 4 days on average, sometimes extended to a week. Patients are concerned about symptoms of intoxication (high temperature up to 38-39°, severe weakness, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting central genesis, that is, against a background of high fever, body aches, lethargy).

Another group of complaints is related to development respiratory syndrome(dry cough, severe sore throat, feeling of lack of air), as well as the likelihood of rapid development of one of the complications - the development of pneumonia in early stages(2-3rd day of illness).

The difference from seasonal influenza is the presence of dyspeptic syndrome in 30-45% of patients - patients develop constant nausea, repeated vomiting, and stool disturbances.

Manifestations of severe forms of swine flu

In the first days of the disease, intense headaches, pain in the eyeballs, photophobia, which increases with eye movement. Possible development serous meningitis, encephalitis. Muscle pain are one of severe symptoms diseases.

One of dangerous complications with swine flu is the development of pneumonia. Pneumonia may be a consequence of exposure to the influenza virus (primary; may be associated with the addition of secondary bacterial flora (secondary); may be a consequence of the action of both the virus and the concomitant layering of bacterial flora (mixed).

Primary pneumonia develops on the second or third day from the onset of the disease and is characterized by the development of symptoms of acute respiratory failure: the patient breathes frequently (about 40 breaths per minute when the norm is 16), auxiliary muscles (diaphragm, abdominal muscles) are actively involved in the act of breathing, pronounced dry or unproductive cough (mucous and clear discharge), severe shortness of breath, blue discoloration skin(cyanosis). When listening to the lungs: moist rales in lower sections lungs mainly at the height of inspiration, dullness of percussion sound when tapping the lungs.

Often primary pneumonia leads to the formation of respiratory distress syndrome (development pulmonary edema) with possible fatal consequences.

Secondary pneumonia occurs 6-10 days from the onset of the disease. Most often, pneumococcal contamination occurs (in 45% of patients), less often Staphylococcus aureus(no more than 18%), as well as hemophilus influenzae. A feature of this pneumonia will be an increase in cough: it becomes painful, almost constant, against the background of increased cough, the patient has a second wave of fever and intoxication, the patient practically does not eat. The pain in the chest when coughing and even breathing. The discharge from the lungs (sputum) is no longer transparent, but has a purulent tint. X-ray shows foci of inflammation in the lungs. The course of secondary pneumonia is long, patients cannot recover for a month and a half. Staphylococcal pneumonia often leads to the formation of a lung abscess.

Pneumonia due to swine flu

Mixed pneumonia have clinical symptoms Both one and the second pneumonia occur over a long period of time (progradiently) and are difficult to treat.

Other complications of swine flu include:

pericarditis, infectious-allergic myocarditis, hemorrhagic syndrome.

What alarming symptoms of “swine flu” should you see a doctor?

For children:
- Rapid breathing, difficulty breathing;
- A bluish tint to the skin of the limbs and torso;
- Refusal to eat and drink;
- Repeated vomiting (fountain vomiting, as well as frequent regurgitation in infants - the equivalent of vomiting at that age);
- Lethargy and drowsiness of the child;
- On the contrary, excitement, resistance even when picking up the child;
- The appearance of a second wave of symptoms with increased cough and shortness of breath.

For adults:
- Shortness of breath and its intensification during the day;
- Chest pain when breathing and coughing;
- Severe dizziness that appears suddenly;
- Periodically confused consciousness (forgetfulness, loss of individual events from memory);
- Repeated and profuse vomiting;
- Second wave with fever, cough, shortness of breath.

Immunity after swine flu is type-specific and short-lived (1 year).

Diagnosis of swine flu

Preliminary diagnosis difficult due to the similarity of the symptoms of the disease with regular seasonal flu. The following features will help the doctor:

Contact with a patient with influenza, as well as arrival from an area endemic for swine flu (countries of North America);
- patient complaints of gastrointestinal disorders due to fever and respiratory syndrome;
- unexpressed or no sore throat in the background severe cough mostly dry;
- development of pneumonia on days 2-3 with characteristic symptoms(described above).

Today, distinguishing influenza from other acute respiratory viral infections is not particularly difficult, because modern rapid tests allow you to independently determine the influenza virus in a matter of minutes at the first suspicion of infection. They are sold in pharmacies and detect influenza types A and B, including the H1N1 subtype - swine flu.

Definitive diagnosis possible after laboratory confirmation of the disease:
- PCR diagnostics of nasopharyngeal mucus samples to detect RNA of the influenza A virus (H1N1) California/2009;
- Virological method inoculation of nasopharyngeal mucus and sputum on certain media.

Treatment of swine flu

The main goal of treatment is to reduce the number of patients with severe and complicated swine flu.

1. Organizational and routine measures– at the time of preliminary diagnosis, hospitalization is carried out according to clinical indications(severe forms, as well as moderate forms in children, the elderly and people with chronic concomitant diseases). With laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis of swine flu, mandatory hospitalization is carried out with the prescription of specific therapy. For the entire febrile period and 5-7 days normal temperature Bed rest is prescribed to prevent complications.

What to do if you suspect swine flu:

If you notice symptoms of swine flu, stay home and do not go to crowded places.
- At home, protect your loved ones from the spread of infection - wear a mask and change it every 4 hours.
- Call a doctor at home. If you come from endemic countries (Mexico, USA), then tell your doctor about it.

To strengthen the body's resistance, a physiologically complete diet with a sufficient amount of protein and a high content of vitamins A, C, and B is indicated. To reduce fever, it is recommended to take a sufficient amount of liquid (preferably fruit drinks from black currant, rose hips, chokeberry, lemon). All foods are prescribed warm; spicy, fatty, fried, salty, and pickled foods are avoided.

2. Drug therapy includes:

Antiviral agents– oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), which significantly affect the release of new viral particles from cells, which leads to the cessation of virus replication. Taking Tamiflu and Relenza is recommended in the following cases:

1) If the patient has one of listed symptoms(high temperature, nasal congestion, cough, shortness of breath);
2) Laboratory-isolated influenza A/2009 (H1N1) virus;
3) Age group under 5 years old;
4) Elderly persons - over 65 years old;
5) pregnant women;
6) people with severe concomitant diseases and immunodeficiency;

Usually the course of treatment is 5 days, sometimes more depending on the severity.

Mild and moderate forms of swine flu allow the use of the following antiviral drugs - arbidol, interferon alpha 2b (gripferon, viferon), interferon alpha 2a (reaferon lipind) and interferon gamma (ingaron), ingavirin, kagocel, cycloferon.

If pneumonia of a bacterial nature occurs, antibacterial drugs(III-IV generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, IV generation fluoroquinolones, vancomycin).

Pathogenetic therapy includes infusion detoxification therapy, glucocorticosteroids, sympathomimetics to reduce the manifestations of intoxication and ease breathing (carried out in a hospital). At home, with a mild form of swine flu, drinking plenty of fluids (fruit drinks, tea, honey water) is recommended.

Symptomatic remedies: antipyretics (paracetamol, ibuprofen), vasoconstrictors for the nose (nazol, tizin, Nazivin, Otrivin and others), for cough relief (Tussin, Stoptussin, Ambroxol, ACC and others), antihistamines (Claritin, Zodak).

Particular attention is paid to children and pregnant women. Children - taking aspirin-containing drugs is prohibited due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy with cerebral edema and development liver failure), therefore, from the group of antipyretics, preference is given to paracetamol and nurofen. From antiviral agents shown - Tamiflu, Relenza, Viferon 1, Gripferon, Reaferon Lipind, Kagocel from 3 years old, Anaferon.

Pregnant women - drink plenty of fluids in the absence of edema;
- for mild forms - from antiviral drugs - viferon in suppositories, influenza, arbidol, if it is impossible to take tablets (vomiting) - administration of panavir intramuscularly; at severe forms Tamiflu, Relenza, Viferon;
- to reduce the severity of fever - paracetamol, ascorutin;
- during development bacterial pneumonia– III-IV generation cephalosporins, macrolides, carbapenems;
- during the epidemic, mandatory hospitalization is indicated for all pregnant women with severe intoxication.

Prevention of swine flu

Activities for healthy people (according to WHO recommendations):
Wash your hands often with soap or alcohol-containing solutions.
Avoid close contact with sick people.
Avoid hugging, kissing and shaking hands.
If you are sick, stay home and limit contact with other people.
If you experience flu-like symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If you are sick, stay home for 7 days after you notice symptoms to avoid infecting others.

For nonspecific drug prevention are used the following drugs: Kagocel, Arbidol, Anaferon, Gripferon, Viferon for pregnant women, Tamiflu.

For specific prevention To date, a vaccine has been created against the highly pathogenic swine flu virus (H1N1). This vaccine protects against influenza B, and the A/H1N1 (swine) and H3N2 strains of influenza A (Grippol plus), that is, both swine flu and seasonal flu. It is impossible to get sick after vaccination, since it does not contain the whole virus, but only surface antigens viruses that cannot cause disease on their own. The vaccine is administered annually.

Infectious disease doctor N.I. Bykova

Flu is an infection respiratory tract, which is viral in nature. In epidemiological history, more than 2000 modifications of this virus have been recorded. All of them are accompanied by the same symptoms and can cause serious complications. But some types of influenza have amazing ability to spread, causing epidemics. Among them, the main one is A (H1N1).

In contact with

Where did swine flu come from?

A (H1N1) has always been present in nature. It was first discovered in the laboratory in the 1930s. For 80 years no one heard anything about him. But in last years he gained "hell's popularity." What happened?
In reality, swine flu is not a specific disease. This is a common influenza virus that affects respiratory system. But he has one unique feature that makes him an effective killer.

According to the most general classification The influenza virus is divided into three groups:

Group A viruses have learned to “mimic” well. They know how to do this both sharply, producing an “antigenic shift,” and slowly, carrying out “antigenic drift.” Thanks to the ability to change the antigenic structure, virus A has learned to “deceive” immune system a person who does not respond in time to the penetration of infectious agents. It is this feature of his that gives him the opportunity to move unhindered from person to person, causing an epidemic.


The 2009 influenza epidemic began in Mexico, spread to the southwestern United States, and then spread throughout the world. It was the result of a successful mutation A(H1N1). In initial studies, genes characteristic of influenza, which affects American pigs, were isolated in a strain of that virus. It was later clarified that it contains genetic fragments of European swine influenza, as well as viruses that affect birds and humans. Despite this, the name “pork” was assigned to the strain.
The unique mutagenicity of the strain has allowed it to infect more than half a million people around the world. The mortality rate was 3.2% of all infected.

Thus, the main feature and danger of H1N1 is its mutagenicity and, accordingly, its ability to spread rapidly.

Why H1N1

In the envelope of influenza virus types A and B there are specific proteins that are assigned symbols H and N with indices from 1 to 10. The most common viruses among people are those with combinations of subtypes:

• H1, H2, H3;
• N1, N2.

At the same time, the H1N1 variant - swine flu - is the most dangerous for humans, the H5N1 variant - bird flu– less dangerous, etc. descending.

How dangerous is the flu?

The 2009 epidemic was stopped. However, the virus has not gone away. Occasionally, people become ill with it, but in order for its spread to become epidemic, many factors must coincide, including:

• Ambient temperature from -5 0C to +5 0C;
• seasonal massive weakening of people's immunity;
• dry air;
• population density;
• low sanitary and hygienic conditions;
• mutagenicity of a specific virus subtype.

Whether the virus is a local outbreak or a pandemic depends on how favorable the factors are that contribute to the spread of the virus ( worldwide epidemic). Outbreaks occur in one place or another on earth every 2 years. Swine flu pandemics are relatively rare. The last one, supposedly in 1918, was called the Spanish flu, and affected about 400 million people. Required medicines were absent at that time: the mortality rate was estimated to be up to 20% of all infected.

Acute respiratory viral diseases dangerous for their complications. What you need to know for prevention.

Children's body very susceptible to temperature changes, viruses, infections. How to protect your child from acute respiratory infections viral infection is told.

Let us recall that in the 2009 pandemic this figure was 3.2%, i.e. for every 30 people who became ill there was one death. By modern standards, this is a lot: approximately the same number die in African cholera epidemics. Therefore, new influenza strains are classified as special dangerous infection, along with cholera, plague and Ebola.

At-risk groups

The most vulnerable are:

• People with weakened immune systems, including as a result of previous or ongoing illness;
• people with chronic respiratory diseases, especially such as;
• children and elderly;
• pregnant women.

This does not mean that the listed categories will certainly get sick. It is not so easy for a virus to enter and gain a foothold on human mucous membranes.

Even if you are in the same apartment with a sick person, you can not become infected if you follow precautions.

Symptoms

The first signs of A(H1N1) are similar to those of all other variants of the virus.
100% of cases have 2 main symptoms:

• and higher;
• cough.

50% of patients complain of:

• runny nose;
• soreness, painful sensations in the throat;
• rapid breathing;
• headache.

35% report a symptom such as muscle pain.
20% have digestive disorders: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

What symptoms should you consult a doctor for?

Fever and cough - these two symptoms are enough to immediately consult a doctor. The simultaneous absence of a runny nose and causeless indigestion should be doubly alarming.

Swine flu is developing rapidly. After 3 days, the patient develops viral pneumonia (), which, rapidly progressing, causes respiratory failure in 24 hours.

If complications occur, the likelihood of death is high. Hospitalization is required for artificial respiratory support.

How is swine flu treated?

The disease is treated:

• Remantadine;
• oseltamivir;
• zanamivir

A specific strain of the virus may be resistant to a particular drug. Only a doctor knows how to treat the current strain.

Precautions during an influenza epidemic

The main way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated annually. The vaccine protects against seasonal and swine flu by 100%.
If you are not vaccinated, then you should know that the pathogenic virus concentrates on the mucous membranes of the patient and spreads into the environment:

• When sneezing, blowing your nose, coughing;
• using utensils (on a cup, spoon, etc.);
• with common items (door handles, telephones, etc.).

During epidemics, observe the following measures:

• When in contact with people, maintain a distance of 1.5 m;
• use a hygienic mask when in in public places– it is not a panacea, but it significantly reduces risks;
• do not touch your face with your hands: mouth, nose, eyes - by doing this you can help the flu virus enter your body;
• do not touch door handles, elevator buttons, railings, telephones and other objects in common areas with unprotected hands;
• limit or eliminate your stay in public places, including travel on public transport;
• Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitizer wipes.

If you have a family member with swine flu:

• Ventilate the room in which the patient is located more often;
• minimize the patient’s contact with other family members;
• when caring, try not to get closer to the patient than 1 m;
• use a hygienic mask when in contact with a sick person;
• wash your hands frequently;
• Disinfect surfaces in the bathroom, toilet, door handles, floors daily;

Please note: the hygiene mask is a single-use item. Once removed from your face, it must be disposed of and never reused.

Participants in the video program study in detail the causes of influenza.