The disease commonly referred to as the "swine flu" is actually the H1N1 virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a type of flu that was first diagnosed in people in the United States in April 2009. Swine flu is highly contagious and spread the same way the seasonal influenza virus is spread. By June 2009, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to symptoms of other types of flu. It is therefore important to detect the signs of swine flu early so that an infected person can be diagnosed and treated quickly.
Fever
The first sign of swine flu is a fever of 100 degrees or more. This is typical of all types of influenza infections.
Respiratory Symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swine flu can provoke intense coughing and nasal secretions. In many people, swine flu can trigger a strong immune response resulting in collateral tissue damage. In some cases, those with swine flu have such difficulty breathing that they require the assistance of a ventilator to breathe.
Fatigue
Most people infected with swine flu report moderate to severe fatigue. This can range from reduced energy to the inability to stand up. The strong immune response the body initiates to swine flu consumes an immense amount of energy.
Headache
Most people infected with swine flu report moderate to intense headaches. These are often focused in the forehead and sinus area, but can also exist throughout the skull area and the base of the neck. The headache can be a throbbing pain or a steady pain.
Digestive Distress
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some people infected with swine flu can experience nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. This can lead to rapid fluid and weight loss. Patients experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor immediately to get a test for swine flu. Since the H1N1 virus has symptoms similar to other types of flu, the only way to be sure that you have swine flu is to have the test.
