Swine influenza is the illness caused by the novel H1N1 2009 virus, or the swine flu virus. This virus affects mostly children and young adults. It spreads in the airborne droplets expelled by people when coughing or sneezing. People start exhibiting symptoms after 3 to 4 days of exposure to someone with the virus.
General Symptoms
People with the swine influenza exhibit symptoms of general illness. That means fever, body aches, generalized tiredness or malaise. Younger people or children can be irritable or restless. Older people report feeling rundown, without energy.
Upper Respiratory Symptoms
The main symptoms of the swine flu are related to the respiratory tract. Patients will have stuffy or runny noses with clear mucous; sore throat with difficulty swallowing; and ear pain, as fluid from the ear cannot drain appropriately due to the nasal congestion, resulting in buildup of the fluid. This fluid generates pressure against the tympanic membrane, causing ear pain. This stagnant fluid can then serve as breeding ground for bacteria, causing an ear infection.
Lower Respiratory Symptoms
The swine flu causes chest congestion, inflammation of the airway and mucus production. This causes a constant, nagging cough, which is dry at first but can produce sputum as the illness progresses. The cough can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. The swine flu also causes significant respiratory distress, with rapid, shallow breathing.
Complications
The swine flu can weaken the lung's natural defenses, causing pneumonia. Patients with pneumonia have worsening fever, respiratory distress and cough. Occasionally they will need oxygen, antibiotics and breathing treatments. Another complication is dehydration. Symptoms of swine flu-related dehydration include decreased urine output, dry lips and mouth and rapid heart rate. The patient's kidney function can be affected, and it can cause imbalances in the body's electrolytes, like sodium and potassium, which can lead to seizures and abnormal heart rhythms. Patients with dehydration caused by swine flu need aggressive re-hydration with intravenous fluids.
