Influenza A (H1N1)

Influenza A(H1N1) has been known as a name of swine flu since late April. It was discovered in Mexico first and transmitted to North America and then to the whole world. At that time researchers investigated the virus and found that genes of the virus were originated from influenza virus among pigs; the virus was named swine influenza. But after that, since no evidence that the genes were imported from pigs was found, WHO changed its name to Influenza A (H1N1). Now almost whole world is under the shade of the new virus.

The new virus is transmitted more easily than seasonal flu, because it is totally new and people don’t have immunity to it yet. But fortunately its virulence is still weak, so only a few people died of Influenza A (H1N1) in the world. But the mutated one was already appeared in Brazil, which was resistant to the most common antiviral agent, Tamiflu. If it has strong toxicity through genetic mutation, it will become a huge threat.

The symptoms of Influenza A (H1N1) is not different from seasonal flu or common cold. Fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough and other respiratory symptoms are known as its symptoms. To confirm Influenza A (H1N1), laboratory tests are necessary. Patients with high fever and respiratory symptoms who have history of contact with confirmed case or travel to epidemic region is classified suspected cases by WHO criteria.

More than 1,300 patients were confirmed in Korea. Until early July, Korean government had the policy that tried to prohibit the influx of the new virus to the community from foreign countries. Now it is true that the virus is spread in the small clusters of community. The policy was changed to early detection and treatment.