Is There a Cure for Swine Flu?

The two most dreaded words, that seem to be giving sleepless nights to everyone these days are 'swine flu'. Swine flu has officially been declared a pandemic. The first one in over forty years! The outbreak that occurred early this year in April, in Mexico, triggered off a panic attack all over the world. People were scrambling to buy every possible protective wear, be it masks or gloves, to prevent themselves from contracting this terrible disease. But what about those that have already been infected? It becomes imperative to know, 'if there is a cure for swine flu or no', especially considering that Margaret Chan, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, declared swine flu to be a public health emergency of international concern.

Where did the Swine Flu Come from?
Swine flu was officially recognized as a disease related to influenza in 1918, when there was a flu pandemic and people noticed that pigs were falling sick at the same time as humans. However, the current H1N1 strain, which is the causative organism of this year's swine flu outbreak, is believed to be a descendant of the original strain of influenza virus that was responsible for the 1918 pandemic. The 2009 outbreak began in Mexico and then, soon spread all over the world to reach pandemic proportions in a matter of months.

Swine Flu: Questions and Answers
One always needs to be knowledgeable on the swine flu causes, symptoms and treatment.There are many myths related to swine flu, which are the real culprits behind all the unnecessary panic surrounding this disease. There are many facts about swine flu that one needs to be aware of. Here are a few myths dispelled regarding swine flu:

Question: Is swine flu contagious?
Answer: Yes, the virus can get transmitted by aerosol or by maintaining close contact with infected individuals. Hence, it is important for infected individuals to be quarantined as soon as they are infected.

Question: Can I get swine flu by eating pork?
Answer: No, eating pig meat, when cooked properly, does not lead to swine flu. You probably have a higher chance of contracting a tapeworm infection, than contracting swine flu, if you eat pork.

About Swine Flu Cure
As optimistic as a person might be, there sadly is no way around saying that there isn't a cure for swine flu. Well, not yet at least. As is the case with most viral infections, whether it's the common cold or AIDS, there is no way of completely killing and eliminating viruses. However, this does not mean the end of the world for people who have been infected by the swine flu H1N1 virus. There are many possible cures for swine flu.

Possible Cures for Swine Flu

• First and foremost, as soon as you feel you are showing symptoms like increased body temperature, body ache, vomiting, diarrhea and chest pain, go and get yourself checked for swine flu. Do not delay seeking treatment for swine flu.
• Once diagnosed, one should ideally get quarantined, to prevent spread of the influenza.
• There are many anti-viral drugs that help abate the effect of the virus. It is important to start treatment as early as possible.
• Along with allopathic medication, one can always try out ayurveda for swine flu or some other herbal remedies.
• One needs to maintain a good and nutritious diet, and more than anything, keep a positive attitude, because that will be half the battle won!

Prevention of Swine Flu

• Wear a mask when going out
• Wash hands regularly and maintain good personal hygiene.
• Avoid going to very crowded places and public gatherings.
• Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing

Hence, one cannot simply say "No" to the swine flu cure, as there have been many cases of people recovering completely, after being infected (in fact, they even gain immunity to the virus after the infection, as a bonus!). So, rather than panicking, it is best to take necessary steps to prevent contraction of swine flu. Because as they say, prevention is better than cure (especially when there isn't any!)