Swine Flu is a seasonal infection caused by the H1N1 virus, which was initially found in pigs. Children, pregnant women, and elderly people are usually more prone to this virus. This article aims to equip you with all the necessary information about the virus, and Swine Flu in babies, enabling you to take the right precaution at the right time.
What Is Swine Flu (H1N1)?
Swine Flu (H1N1) is a type of virus, which is similar to the flu virus that affects pigs. There was a swine flu pandemic in 2009 with the H1N1 virus spreading like wildfire from one person to another across many countries around the world.
The World Health Organisation had then announced that the virus would be under control by 2010, but this did not stay true for too long, at least in India. There was another serious outbreak of this virus in India in 2015. Thereafter, H1N1 virus circulates every year like the flu virus, usually before the monsoons.
Common Symptoms of H1N1 in Babies
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Swine flu is caused by the H1N1 virus and can have adverse effects on babies. This virus affects the respiratory tract and causes serious health complexities. Hence, recognising the right swine flu symptoms in children and adults alike, at the right time, is important. If your baby is suffering from prolonged fever and experiencing chills, then you need to take precautionary steps. This could be an early symptom of swine flu, and you must consult a doctor immediately.
The most common symptoms of H1N1 are:
- Very high fever
- Tiredness
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
In some cases, especially in cases of young babies, the symptoms include the following:
- Dehydration
- Sinus or ear infection
- Bronchiolitis
- Febrile seizures
- Pneumonia
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
Swine flu is a potentially fatal virus. If you observe the above-mentioned swine flu symptoms in babies, make sure you consult a pediatrician without delay.
