Avian flu and swine flu are two types of influenza illnesses caused by two different subtypes of influenza A viruses. Influenza fever, normally referred to as the flu, is a respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Influenza viruses that affect humans are influenza A, B, and C viruses. Influenza A is the most lethal, and they are further classified into subtypes: H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, and H1N2.
The key difference between avian flu and swine flu is their cause. Avian flu is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus while swine flu is caused by H1N1 subtype of influenza A virus.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Avian Flu
3. What is Swine Flu
4. Similarities – Avian Flu and Swine Flu
5. Avian Flu vs Swine Flu in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Avian Flu vs Swine Flu
7. FAQ – Avian Flu and Swine Flu
What is Avian Flu?
Avian flu is primarily found in birds and is caused by the H5N1 subtype of influenza A virus. Avian flu particularly affects waterfowl such as ducks and geese, chickens, and turkeys. People get avian flu by direct contact with infected birds, contact with objects and surfaces contaminated by infected birds, and contact with secretions and feces where virus concentration is high. The signs and symptoms of avian flu include fever, nausea, general fatigue, muscle pain, headache, diarrhoea, sore throat, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, sepsis, and organ failure.
Avian flu can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation, blood test, and imaging tests such as X-ray. Furthermore, treatment options avian flu include resting and giving prescribed flu medications such as oseltamivir, zanamivir or peramivir.
What is Swine Flu?
Swine flu is an infection of the influenza A virus subtype called H1N1. It is called swine flu because it is similar to a flu virus that affects pigs. The virus spreads from person to person via droplets, coughing, or sneezing. It is also inhaled or transmitted by hands that have previously touched contaminated surfaces. Swine influenza virus can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected pigs or contaminated environments. Moreover, the general symptoms of swine flu are fever, cold chills, general fatigue, cough, pain in the joints and muscles, eye pain, muscle pain, headache, diarrhoea, and vomiting. The complications include pneumonia, angina, otitis media, septic shock, meningitis, and encephalitis.
Swine flu can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation and PCR. Furthermore, treatment options for swine flu are supportive care such as drinking liquids, taking pain relievers (acetaminophen), and resting and antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir.
Similarities Between Avian Flu and Swine Flu
- Avian flu and swine flu are two influenza A illnesses.
- Both are caused by two different subtypes of influenza A viruses.
- They are zoonotic diseases.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation.
- They can be treated through supportive therapy and antiviral medications.
Difference Between Avian Flu and Swine Flu
Definition
- Avian flu is an influenza illness caused by H5NI.
- Swine flu is an influenza illness caused by HINI.
Transmission
- Avian flu is transmitted when a person touches a surface with a virus on it, it then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth and inhales from droplets or dust in the air.
- Swine flu is transmitted from person to person via droplets, coughing or sneezing and also can be inhaled or transmitted by hands that have previously touched contaminated surfaces.
Signs and Symptoms
- Signs and symptoms of avian flu include high fever, shivers, aching muscles, headache, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, and runny nose.
- Signs and symptoms of swine flu include trouble breathing, chest pain, dehydration, ongoing dizziness, seizures, severe weakness or muscle pain, ale, gray or blue-colored skin, and worsening of existing medical conditions.
Diagnosis
- Avian flu can be diagnosed by physical symptoms evaluation, blood test, and imaging tests such as X-ray.
- Swine flu can be diagnosed by physical symptoms evaluation and PCR.
Treatment
- Avian flu can be treated by resting, drinking plenty of fluid, and giving prescribed flu medications such as oseltamivir, zanamivir, or peramivir.
- Swine flu can be treated by supportive care such as drinking liquids, taking pain relievers (acetaminophen), resting, and antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir.
The following table summarizes the difference between avian flu and swine flu.
Summary – Avian Flu vs Swine Flu
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by influenza viruses. Influenza A is a type of influenza virus that causes the flu. Therefore, avian flu and swine flu are two influenza A illnesses caused by two influenza A subtypes. Avian flu is caused by H5NI, while swine flu is caused by HINI. This is the summary of the difference between avian flu and swine flu.
FAQ: Avian Flu and Swine Flu
1. What is avian flu caused by?
- Avian flu is caused by H5N1 influenza A subtype. It is a disease seen in birds caused by infection with avian influenza A viruses. Humans can get bird flu if they come in contact with an infected animal’s body fluid, respiratory droplets or feces.
2. What are the symptoms of the avian flu?
- The symptoms of avian flu may include fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and headache. The complications involve pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and diarrhea.
3. How serious is swine flu?
- Most fatal cases of swine flu can be observed in people with underlying chronic medical conditions, such as HIV. The complications may involve pneumonia, angina, otitis media, septic shock, meningitis, and encephalitis. However, most people with swine flu recover and can have a normal life expectancy.
4. How does one treat swine flu in humans?
- The treatment option for swine flu is largely supportive and includes bedrest, cough suppressants, increased fluid consumption, taking antipyretics and analgesics (acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and antiviral medications such as oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir.
5. Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
- Yes. The flu vaccine that protects against seasonal flu also provides protection against the H1N1 swine flu strain. People can get it as a shot or as a nasal spray. Moreover, there were two major vaccines for swine flu in 1976 and 2009.
Reference:
1. “Bird Flu (Avian Influenza): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” WebMD.
2. “Swine Flu (H1N1): What Is It, Causes, Treatments & Prevention.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “A chicken being tested for Bird Flu” By https://www.myupchar.com/en – https://www.myupchar.com/en/disease/bird-flu, CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Diagram of swine flu symptoms” By Digestive_system_diagram_en.svg: Mariana Ruiz Villarreal(LadyofHats)Expiration_diagram.svg: LadyofHatsBrain_stem_normal_human.svg: Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustratorderivative work: WilliamTheaker (talk) -(CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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