What Is the New Flu Virus?
The new flu virus is the new influenza A virus. It is the newest strain of the H1N1 influenza virus. The influenza virus strain is usually found in pigs, birds, and humans in a specific combination that has never been seen or reported before. This new virus is a genetic recombination of viruses that have been circulating in pigs in Europe, Central Asia, and North America for the past many years.
The new strain of type A influenza viruses (H1N1) may infect human beings (human influenza) and several others, such as pigs (swine influenza), birds, and poultry (avian influenza). The influenza viruses in the new strain most commonly affect the respiratory tract (airways). The usual mode of viral transmission is through direct contact with infected droplets and close proximity with infected animals or human beings.
Can the New Flu Virus be Transmitted to Humans by Eating Pork Meat and Pork Products?
The virus that is involved in the recent new flu influenza virus outbreak is a new strain of the H1N1 influenza A virus. There is no medical data to suggest that influenza viruses can spread to humans through the consumption of pork meat and pork products. It has been reported that even if pigs are infected with this new virus, and it is present in their meat, cooking pork extensively to a high temperature of 70 degrees Celsius would inactivate or kill the virus. In relation to the handling and preparation of pork, proper and good food hygiene should be maintained.
People who eat raw pork meat should be prevented from consuming raw meat to avoid the risk of foodborne illness. It is always advisable to follow food safety precautions. Good food hygiene practices should be followed in kitchens. Hands should be washed properly, and all surfaces should be disinfected after handling raw, uncooked pork meat.
What Are the Symptoms of the New Flu Virus?
The outbreak of new flu virus symptoms has led to panic worldwide. The flu symptoms appear all at once and are often intense. Some people are asymptomatic. However, most patients exhibit the following symptoms.
The onset of flu symptoms is often swift and intense. Many people feel perfectly fine. While others feel extremely fatigued, weak, and feverish in a short duration of time. Some of the symptoms experienced by patients suffering from the new flu virus are:
- Extreme tiredness.
- Fever with chills.
- Weakness.
- Body malaise.
- Muscle ache.
- Body pain.
- Dry, persistent cough for more than two weeks.
- Chest pain.
- Severe headache.
- Runny or stuffy nose.
- Bad throat.
- Sneezing.
- Watery eyes.
The symptoms usually resolve by the fourth or fifth day, but in this new flu virus, the episodes of coughing are more extreme and persistent, and they usually last for more than four weeks, even after recovery.
Severe headaches are also sometimes present and may bother a few. One major and important symptom that is reported by almost every patient infected with the new flu virus is bronchitis (an inflammatory reaction of the lining of the bronchial tubes).
The bronchial tubules carry air to and from the lungs. As a result of acute bronchitis, wheezing, and breathlessness have been frequently reported by these patients.
What Is Acute Bronchitis?
Acute bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes that starts producing mucus. This condition is also known as a chest cold. It is because of acute bronchitis; the cough is persistent and severe. However, this cough-inducing respiratory infection is particularly mild. It usually improves after two weeks and is self-limiting.
What Is the Underlying Cause of Acute Bronchitis?
Most often, acute bronchitis is caused by a chronic, persistent respiratory infection. It can occur either as a cold or the flu. It is usually considered as a complication of the new flu virus that caused the initial symptoms of the flu. The virus first affects the nose, maxillary sinuses, and throat. It then spreads down into the lungs and affects the airways.
It is also possible to have a superimposed viral and bacterial infection at the same time, leading to acute bronchitis. Environmental pollutants such as smoke can also trigger the incidence of acute bronchitis.
What Are the Main Bronchitis Symptoms?
The symptoms of acute bronchitis appear after the existing flu virus infection. Here, the existing symptoms of the flu infection worsen. It occurs most likely as a complication of the existing flu infection.
The symptoms of bronchitis develop as a result of airway inflammation and constriction. The various signs and symptoms of acute bronchitis include:
- A persistent dry cough that later becomes productive.
- Soreness in the chest.
- Pain in the upper back.
- Breathlessness.
- Wheezing.
- Severe headache.
- Body ache.
- Mild fever.
- Extreme tiredness.
- Weakness.
Acute bronchitis usually initiates with a dry, persistent cough triggered by inflamed airways. This dry cough then becomes productive on the production of mucus by the irritated airways. The cough persists for a longer period of time than the other existing bronchitis symptoms.
When To Consult a Doctor?
The healthcare professional should be consulted within the first three days of the development of symptoms. If there is a presence of blood in the sputum, shortness of breath, or decreased oxygen saturation levels, the patient should consult the doctor immediately.
How to Diagnose and Manage New Flu Virus Infection?
It is very important to seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis of the new flu virus whenever respiratory symptoms appear. The doctor usually recommends a nasopharyngeal swab test for flu and COVID-19. Blood tests like a complete blood cell count and C-reactive protein may be suggested by the doctor for further investigations.
Painkillers, anti-allergens, and antipyretic medicines are usually recommended by the doctor to lower the fever and relieve the symptoms. Steam inhalation is very important. Usually, the disease is self-limiting.
What Preventive Measures Should Be Taken?
- Maintain good hand hygiene by washing the hands frequently with soap and water.
- Use of hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants frequently.
- Avoid overcrowding places.
- Children should be prevented from touching their face and nose.
- Wear mouth masks and gloves.
- It is important to get vaccinated for the flu shot.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Elderly people above the age of 65 years should be more careful.
Conclusion
Most patients are suffering from repetitive episodes of the flu infection, along with bronchitis and persistent cough. Children are most commonly affected by this new flu virus. It is better to seek medical advice as soon as the symptoms appear. Proper diagnosis and management of the infection might prevent further spread of the virus. The proper preventive protocol is a must for children and the elderly.
