The respiratory infection commonly known as swine flu spreads quickly and easily according to the Mayo Clinic. The infection became prevalent in the final months of the 2009 flu season and was declared a pandemic for more than a year by the World Health Organization. Warning signs for the new swine flu mirror those of other flu strains. The term "swine flu" technically refers to influenza in pigs, which can be transmitted by pigs to humans or from one person to another. This form of influenza features several symptoms.
2009 H1N1 Swine Flu
Warning signs of the 2009 H1N1 swine flu include vomiting and diarrhea, as well as chills, fatigue and fever. Other symptoms can include body aches, persistent coughing, sore throat and headache, according to the Mayo Clinic. The flu occurs when influenza viruses infect the cells of your lungs, throat and nose. Symptoms will begin as early as three to five days after you are exposed to H1N1 and should diminish after eight days.
Novel H1N1 Influenza
Prior to 2009, the term swine flu referred to a respiratory disease in pigs that occured in the winter or late fall. The disease is now referred to as "novel H1N1 influenza" or novel swine flu. You may have novel H1N1 swine flu if you notice warning signs such as fever, loss of appetite or heavy coughing. Other warnings signs include feeling lethargic, having a runny nose or sore throat, as well as diarrhea and vomiting. Your risk for swine flu increases if you are in close proximity to pigs. Once contaminated, you can pass the flu to other humans through coughing, touching or sneezing, according to the CDC. The CDC recommends two antiviral drugs --- oseltamivir or zanamivir --- for the prevention and treatment of novel H1N1 swine flu.
Considerations
Your risk for novel H1N1 swine flu increases if you are older than 65 or younger than 5 years of age, according to James Steckelberg, physician and professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School. Others with increased risk include those with HIV or chronic health conditions, such as liver, kidney or blood disease, diabetes, asthma, emphysema and heart disease. Pregnant women can benefit most from the CDC-approved vaccines, as the risk of complications from swine flu is higher during pregnancy. Consider the vaccine if you are in close contact with infants, since infants carry a high risk for novel swine flu but can't be vaccinated, says Dr. Steckelberg.
References
- The Mayo Clinic: Swine flu (H1N1 flu)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Key Facts about Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)
- University of Minnesota: Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy: Novel H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)
- The Mayo Clinic: Mayo Clinic expert answers your questions on H1N1 flu (swine flu)
