Swine flu is the disease of the season. Having been declared a pandemic this summer, it is the one disease you should look out for.

Swine Flu is a normal influenza caused by a type A H1N1 virus, thus having more or less the same symptoms as the common flu we get infected by so much. The only difference here is that since this infection is relatively new and hasn’t been circulating around so much, we humans don’t have immunity from it. It for this reason it has been declared a pandemic and thus one should stay a little cautious of this virus bout.

SYMPTOMS OF SWINE FLU-

1. Usually high fever. But might be absent sometimes, which is not the case with seasonal flu.
2. Cough and sore throat
3. Runny or stuffy nose
4. Body aches
5. Head aches
6. Chills
7. Extreme fatigue and tiredness
8. Vomiting and diarrhea

These are the normal symptoms of swine flu. However, if a person is suffering from some underlying illness then the symptoms can be severe and s/he might have troubles breathing or could be suffering pneumonia further leading to a respiratory failure.

 If you suspect that your child has swine flu then it is advisable that you call your general physician and get him/her checked for the disease. In case your child tests positive then it is advisable that you avoid any visitors for swine flu is contagious.

But just because your child has a runny nose and a sore throat does not mean that s/he is suffering from swine flu. It is rather difficult to differentiate swine flu from a common flu is you don’t have the medical apparatus therefore keep in mind that swine flu can only be contracted by being contact of respiratory secretions of a person who is suffering with H1N1 virus. Also, people with swine flu are only contagious one day before and seven days after they began to sick with swine flu symptoms. Therefore, if your child has not been in contact with any one suffering from swine flu then he is simply suffering from a common flu which means you have nothing to worry about for it will pass in a few days.

 However, if your child is suffering from swine flu, then you don’t need to panic. Swine flu just needs isolation and rest for a few days. Medicine is only essential if the flu has reached a rather advanced stage or if your child is suffering from some other medical illness.