SWINE FLU: INTRODUCTION AND ITS POSSIBLE REMEDIES

Summary Swine origin influenza was first recognized in the border area of Mexico and United States in April 2009 and during a short span of two month become the first pandemic. It is a subtype of influenza A i.e. H1N1 strain, which has undergone triple reassortment and contain genes from the avian, swine and human. Influenza virus is a member of the genus orthomyxovirus, family orthomyxoviridae. Influenza virus expresses two envelope glycoproteins: Hemagglutinin (H) and Neuraminidase (NA). Hemagglutinin is known to mediate of virus to the target cells via sialic acid residue in glycoconjugates.which plays a key role in viral infection. Neuraminidase is a critical protein of influenza virus.it helps the virus to spread around the body. Antiviral neuraminidase inhibitor attacks the influenza virus and prevents it from spread inside the body such as Oseltamivir and Zanamivir. Admantanes are resistant due to S31N mutation toward to inhibit the flu. The rise in oseltamivir-resistant influenza A (H1N1) viruses appears to be due to the spontaneous emergence and transmission of viruses with the H274Y mutation rather than selection as a result of increased oseltamivir use. There are two different brands of vaccines pandemrix and celvapan are now available. Herbal drugs such as tulsi, eldberry, ginger, garlic, lemon balm etc. can also be used in cure of infection. A number of sensitive and specific RTPCR and real time PCR methods for detecting S-OIV and differentiating from seasonal H1N1. The incubation period range from 1 to 7 days and most likely from 1 to 4 days. Certain people are at high risk such as young children, people with various disorders such as CVS, neurological and liver disorder, asthma, immune suppression. Resident of nursing home or other chronic care facility.