What is the swine flu?
What is influenza H1N1?

More recently came a new influenza or flu which brought new dangers to our health. It is very important that we know about what swine influenza or swine flu so we can recognize its causes, symptoms, how it spreads and we can act quickly and avoid contracting it.

What is influenza H1N1?

• The H1N1 flu is a new influenza virus that is sickening people. This has two genes of influenza viruses that usually circulate among pigs in Europe and Asia, and avian genes, and human genes. Scientists call this virus “quadruple rearranged.

• The H1N1 flu is contagious. This new virus was first detected in the United States in April 2009. The spread of the virus among humans is the same way that common viruses spread of seasonal flu.

• The H1N1 flu is not contracted by eating pork or pork products. The H1N1 flu is not a food borne illness is a respiratory illness. The Department of Agriculture United States is reminding consumers that all meat products and poultry derivatives are safe and healthy when they are prepared and properly cooked.

• Diseases caused by new influenza H1N1 virus range from mild to severe. Although most people who have contracted the H1N1 flu has recovered without medical treatment, there have been cases of hospitalizations and deaths.

• Approximately 70% of people hospitalized because of influenza H1N1 had other medical conditions that placed in the category of “high risk” of developing serious complications related to seasonal flu. These conditions include pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

• Adults over 65 will have priority to receive antiviral treatment in order to decrease risks of complications in case of the flu. While his age indicates that there is less chance of getting the flu, there are certain risk conditions (COPD, diabetes, etc.). That in case of illness, suggests that it may be at higher risk for complications from any type of influenza.

Symptoms of avian H1N1

• The H1N1 flu symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu but may include additional symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

• Symptoms of seasonal flu include:

Fever
Cough and / or sore throat
or runny nose or nasal congestion
or headaches and / or body
or chills
or fatigue

• The H1N1 flu symptoms include:
or are similar to seasonal flu but may be more severe.
or additional symptoms may occur. A significant number of cases of H1N1 flu include vomiting and diarrhea.