Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect pigs and can be transmitted to humans. The 2009 outbreak was caused by the H1N1 virus and declared a pandemic by the WHO. Swine flu viruses have segmented genomes allowing genetic material to be exchanged between human and pig viruses. It is transmitted through droplets from coughs or sneezes but not through eating pork. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat and fatigue. Testing and PCR assays can confirm swine flu infection. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are used to treat it. Vaccines produced in eggs or cells are used to prevent spread.

1. Prepared By:
Valencia Fernandes

2.  Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory
disease caused by influenza viruses
(Orthomyxoviridae) that infect the respiratory
tract of pigs and is now transmitted to humans.
 The 2009 swine flu outbreak (pandemic) was due
to infection with the H1N1 virus and was first
observed in Mexico and spread so rapidly that
the World Health Organisation declared a global
flu pandemic on 11 June.
 Exhibits two main surface antigens, H1
(hemagglutinin type 1) and N1 (neuraminidase
type1).

4.  First, the influenza viruses (types A, B, C) are
enveloped RNA viruses with a segmented
genome; this means the viral RNA genetic code is
not a single strand of RNA but exists as eight
different RNA segments in the influenza viruses.
 A human (or bird) influenza virus can infect a pig
respiratory cell at the same time as a swine
influenza virus; some of the replicating RNA
strands from the human virus can get mistakenly
enclosed inside the enveloped swine influenza
virus.

6.  Swine flu is transmitted from person to
person by inhalation or ingestion of droplets
containing virus from people sneezing or
coughing.
 It is not transmitted by eating cooked pork
products.

7.  Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C) and
coughing
 Running nose
 Fatigue
 Muscle ache
 Decreased appetite
 Sore throat
 About one quarter of cases, vomiting and
diarrhoea.

8.  Patient’s history.
 A quick test (for example, nasopharyngeal
swab sample) is done to see if the patient is
infected with influenza A or B virus.
 Active infection with swine influenza can
only be confirmed by polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) Assays.
If the test is positive for
type B, the flu is not likely
to be swine flu.
If it is positive for type A, the
person could have conventional
flu strain or swine flu.

10. Oseltamivir
(Tamiflu™)
Zanamivir
(Relenza™)
Method of
administration
Capsule or liquid Dry powder
Formulation Oral Inhalation
Dosage 75mg capsule twice a
day for 5 days
10mg of powder twice a
day for 5 days
Side Effects Nausea and abdominal
pain(gastric irritation)
Headache, weakness,
cough, insomnia
Bronchospasm
Headache, dizziness,
nausea
Safe for use in Adults, pregnant
women, children and
babies
Adults, pregnant women
and children over 5

11.  On Dec 22, 2014; the FDA approved the first new
anti-influenza drug (for H1N1 and other influenza
virus types) in 15 years, Peramivir (Rapivab ™).
Intravenous,
Side Effect: Diarrhea, skin infections, hallucinations,
and other altered behavior.

12.  Pandemrix™:The first H1N1 vaccine released in
early October 2009 was a nasal spray vaccine
that was approved for use in healthy individuals
ages 2-49.
 Celvapan™: The injectable(i.m) vaccine, made
from killed H1N1, became available in the second
week of Oct. 2009. This vaccine was approved for
use in ages 6 months to the elderly, including
pregnant females.
 Intradermal, Jet Injector(Approved by USFDA in
2014)

13.  Vaccines are produced
by injecting and
growing viruses in
Eggs, which act as ideal
incubation chambers.
 Celvapan™ - Cell
cultures
Genes that code for the molecules on the
surface of the pandemic flu virus
Genes from a harmless laboratory virus
HYBRID STRAIN
Grown in large quantities Inactivated

14.  In 2011, the CDC reported a new assortment of
genetic material from H1N1(M gene) and H3N2
influenza A viruses that resulted in a new strain
of swine virus termed influenza A (H3N2)v that
was similar to viruses that infected pigs in the
1990s.
 In the fall of 2011, the CDC reported that about
12 confirmed human infections were detected in
young people who often had some association
with pigs or pig farming.
 In July 2012, the CDC noted a rapid rise in these
H3N2v infections that again occurred with people
associated with pigs and pig farming.

15.  If possible, avoid close contact with people
who are sick.
 Cover your mouth while coughing and
sneezing.
 Wash your hands often with soap and water,
or hand sanitizer.
 Avoid frequent touching your eyes, nose or
mouth.
 Get your H1N1 flu shot.

16.  Pandemic H1N1 Swine Flu, Society for General
Microbiology (SGM)
 www.medicinenet.com
 Influenza swine flu: Self study package,
Technip
 H1N1 Flu Virus (Human Swine Flu), Health
Canada

17. THANK YOU