Swine Flu Risk Calculator

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Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respira`tory disease of pigs. It is caused by type A influenza virus (H1N1). Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However human swine flu infections occurred and caused a pandemic in 2009 with several deaths reported worldwide.


Human infections with H1N1 influenza occur in people with direct exposure to pigs (such as workers in swine industry), but cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu are also noted. Human-to-human transmission happens through air droplets from cough or sneeze of people infected with influenza virus.

Know your risk for contracting H1N1 influenza virus and take necessary precautionary steps.
Answer All the Questions
Calculate your Swine Flu Risk
Ethnicity
1. Age of the person 

   Below 5 years
   Between 5 and 65 years
   Above 65 years
2. Is the person overweight /obese (with a BMI of over 27)?

   Yes
   No
3. Is the individual pregnant?

   Yes
   No
4. Is the person on the following medications ?

   Long-term aspirin therapy
   Medication that can weaken immune system like cyclosporin and steroids
   No Therapy
5. Has the person been working in a pig farm?

    Yes
    No
6. Any contact with people suffering from swine flu?

   Yes
   No
7. Has the individual traveled to a country where swine flu cases have been reported?

   Yes
   No
8. Is the person suffering from any of the following chronic conditions ?

   Diabetes
   Asthma
   Heart problems
   Emphysema
   Lung ailments
   Kidney disease
   Immune diseases
   Liver problem like cirrhosis
   Blood disorders
   None of the Above

Consult Immunologists Online

Dr. Hemalatha  A S
Dr. Hemalatha A S
MBBS, DNB
5 years experience

Book Appointment Know More

Dr. Milind Bhrushundi
Dr. Milind Bhrushundi
34 years experience
Central India institute of infectious diseases and research, opp ShriRam Dharmasthala

Book Appointment Know More

Swine Flu Facts

2009 H1N1 was first detected in the United States in April 2009

WHO had raised the influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5 on April 29th 2009; Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region

Swine flu is a combination of genes from swines, birds and human flu virus, according to CDC.

H1N1 influenza A virus is contagious and can spread from human to human.

Data reveals that the type A influenza viruses originated in pigs in Asia, but now it has become a human disease. It is spreading very quickly throughout Britain.

Swine flu viruses circulating in U.S. pigs in the recent years are

I) Swine triple reassortant (tr) H1N1

II) trH3N2 

III) trH1N2

People with H1N1 infections are considered potentially contagious one day before the onset of symptoms and can go up to 7 days following the illness. Children might be contagious for a longer duration.

Pregnant women are more vulnerable to swine flu since their immune systems are less effective.

Swine flu symptoms in humans are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include cough, sore throat, fever, headaches, body aches, chills and feeling tired.

H1N1 flu viruses are not transmitted by food; one cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. However, eating properly handled pork and pork products is safe; cooking pork at 160 degrees F kills the viruses and food borne pathogens.

Influenza complications include worsening of asthma, pneumonia, confusion, seizures and respiratory failure

Antiviral drugs like oseltamivir (tamiflu) and zanamivir (relenza) are used for the treatment and prevention of swine flu. These two drugs are approved by the FDA for the treatment of flu in both children and adults. Swine flu virus is found to be resistant to amantadine (symmetrel) and rimantadine (flumadine).

Swine flu vaccines:

Two different brands of vaccines have been developed to protect against the virus that causes swine flu. These include

1.Pandemrix vaccine is given as single dose

2.Celvapen vaccine given as two doses, 3 weeks apart.

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