Swine Flu Info Blog

6 comments:

Jimmy said...

H1N1 Influenza (commonly referred to as the Swine Flu) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people in the US and countries around the world. It has elements of influenza that have previously been found in humans, pigs, and birds. It is important to know how to avoid getting the infection from another person and to avoid spreading it if you have it.
Why are we so worried about the H1N1 influenza when thousands die every year from seasonal flu? According to the World Health Organization (WHO), seasonal epidemics occur every year but the virus is treated with seasonal vaccines. H1N1 is a new virus to which people have no immunity increasing the possibility of a world-wide epidemic.
H1N1 influenza A virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person in the same way that seasonal flu spreads, which is through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. You cannot get the flu from eating pork.
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Like regular seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions, such as heart and lung disease.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue into the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
If you are exposed to the flu or have traveled to an area in which there have been cases of the flu, monitor yourself for flu symptoms for 7 days because it may take that long for the illness to develop. See your doctor if you start coming down with the symptoms of the flu. Public health experts recommend that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care. If indicated, there are antiviral medications called Tamiflu and Relenza that can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of onset of symptoms).
The best defense against the flu is to wash your hands.

July 31, 2009 at 11:31 PM

Jeremy said...

Everyone's answer is right. The CDC decided to start using H1N1 with the media, they did not want people to think it was bad to eat pork because of the "swine" flu.
That's all.

August 1, 2009 at 12:03 PM

Gary B said...

Same disease, different name.
it is MY udnerstanding that when it is PROVEN that the disease passes from human to human, then they use the H1N1 name.

August 1, 2009 at 12:27 PM

Live said...

H1N1 is the medical label for the swine flu. They're both the same.

August 1, 2009 at 1:31 PM

N said...

H1N1 is the scientific name for swine flu.

August 1, 2009 at 6:13 PM

Kitsu_L said...

they're the same thing :/

August 1, 2009 at 8:28 PM