H1N1 (swine) influenza Health Article

Definition

Swine influenza is flu virus usually found in pigs. The virus occasionally changes (mutates) and becomes infectious in humans. When this happens, the disease becomes a concern to humans, who have little or no immunity against it. This means the virus has the potential to spread quickly around the world. It also may be more difficult to treat than the usual, seasonal human flu viruses.

In June 2009, the World Health Organizaiton declared a worldwide swine flu pandemic.

Alternative Names

Swine flu; Influenza A

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

In the spring of 2009, cases of human infection with H1N1 flu were confirmed in Mexico, the United States, and many countries around the world.

The H1N1 flu virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. At this time, it is unknown how easily it can spread between people.

It is known that flu viruses can spread from pigs to people, and from people to pigs. However, you CANNOT get H1N1 flu virus from eating pork.

Human-to-human infection with the H1N1 flu virus likely occurs the same way as seasonal flu, when an infected person coughs or sneezes into air that others breathe in. People may also get infected by touching something with the virus on it, such as a door knob or counter, and then touching their mouth or nose.

You can find an updated case count of confirmed H1N1 flu infections in the U.S. at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site.

Symptoms

Symptoms of H1N1 flu infection in humans are similar to classic flu-like symptoms, which might include:

• Fever above 100.4 °F
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Chills
• Muscle aches
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting