Origin of Swine Flu

Swine flu is the infection that is originated by a flu virus which belongs to a group of influenza virus. Different variations of the influenza virus are noticed and are differentiated based on their protein structure and their ability to infect different organisms.  Influenza A and influenza B are the two main types of influenza that has been identified. Further they are differentiated based on their specific protein structures. The influenza viruses have been noted to majorly affect birds (avian influenza virus), pigs (swine influenza) and humans (human influenza).

 Emergence of Swine Flu HINI virus

Novel Influenza or novel H1N1 is other terms for swine flu/influenza since its difference from the earlier influenza virus (H1N1) which usually causes seasonal influenza. Swine flu was constrained to be a disease of only pigs. The virus has undergone changes and has become competent to affect humans.  Thus human being becomes the carrier of the virus and can transmit the same to others.

 What are the different types of influenza viruses?

The influenza viruses were first identified among birds. It caused extensive infection among birds resulting in their death in large numbers. But it was found that these viruses were not capable enough to cause similar symptoms in humans or other animals initially. Such type of viruses which were capable to affect only birds was called as avian influenza virus. In addition the avian influenza viruses over a period of time underwent changes in its structure and became potent enough to cause an infection in humans and pigs. Such modified influenza viruses were known as human influenza virus or swine influenza virus depending on the organism it affected.

 Pigs the foundation for virus modifications

Pigs are the place where the influenza viruses modify themselves. The avian influenza virus and human influenza virus are both capable of infecting pigs. In addition the influenza viruses were able to form a new strain by mixing the proteins present in avian and human viruses. Thus pigs are the mixing vessels for the influenza virus that led to the formation of the novel H1N1 influenza virus that is capable of infecting both humans and pigs.

 The new strain of virus

There are vaccines that have been developed to prevent the occurrence of seasonal influenza they are not effective against the novel H1V1 influenza as the protein structure of the latter varies. The mixing of the protein structure in the pigs has created a new variety of virus, which has to be studied and understood to develop a vaccination for it. The existing antiviral drugs developed to treat the seasonal influenza virus may not offer protection against the novel influenza virus.