Swine flu also known as swine influenza is caused by any strain of influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine). Strains endemic in swine are called swine influenza virus (SIV).

Swine flu is common in swine but rare in humans. People who work with swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine influenza if the swine carry a strain able to infect humans. However, these strains rarely are able to pass from human to human. The strain responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak is believed to have undergone such a mutation.

Every two or three years the virus undergoes minor changes. Then, at intervals of roughly a decade, after the bulk of the world's population has developed some level of resistance to these minor changes, it undergoes a major shift that enables it to tear off on yet another pandemic sweep around the world, infecting hundreds of millions of people who suddenly find their antibody defenses outflanked.

And this time the strain has recombined to create something totally new, what it will lead to is impossible to predict. The WHO has said the present outbreak could cause a global pandemic and the situation is serious.

• Fever
• Cough
• Headache
• Weakness and fatigue
• Aching muscles and joints
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

As with any sort of influenza, how bad and how long the symptoms last will depend on treatment and the patient's individual circumstances.

Most cases reported in India have been relatively mild, with those affected starting to recover within a week.

Persons with swine flu infection should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days following illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days after illness onset should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

Diagnosis of swine flu requires laboratory testing of a respiratory sample, a simple nose and throat swab.

• Real-time RT-PCR
• Viral culture

Antiviral medicines can be taken to prevent or treat swine flu. Antiviral medicines don't cure the flu, but they do help lessen symptoms and speed up recovery. There is no vaccine available still to protect against swine flu.

Recent studies in London have shown that Copper is quite effective in inhibiting the influenza A H1N1 virus commonly known as Swine flu, according to the latest study.

Results showed that after incubation for one hour on copper, 75 percent of the virus was eradicated. Similar inactivation rates have now been observed for adenovirus 40/41.

So far, more than 1,550 people have been tested in the country, of which more than 300 have been tested positive for the Influenza A (H1N1).

The total confirmed cases in India have now risen above 300.

Recently, Google shut down its office for two days following one of its staff testing positive for H1N1 (swine flu). The incident occurred on 13th July at the Hyderabad office.

It is important to understand how swine flu or for that matter any flu spreads. Contrary to the popular belief, swine flu is not air borne. There are two main ways it spreads. One is if someone who is infected sneezes or coughs and you come in contact with the air particles. The other is if you touch an object which may have the virus and you touch your eyes, mouth or nose.

It is common for people to touch their nose, eyes and mouth. Most of these actions are sub-conscious like licking your tongue for flipping pages of a book or magazine. As soon as you feel an itch you immediately rub or scratch.

Remember, the virus can be anywhere - a door knob, a remote control, phones, computer keyboards, etc. The idea is not to get paranoid and stop using them. A simple task can protect you from infection.

Two things in your home - soap and water can reduce the change of infection by 30%. All you need to do is keep washing your hand with soap and water frequently. And most importantly, stop touching your face. Make it a conscious effort to observe and stop. Another side effect of not touching your face too often - your skin looks better!