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What is Swine Influenza (Swine Flu)? | |||
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Why are we so concerned about swine flu? |
Swine influenza infection can be serious. From December 2005 through February 2009, a total of 12 human infections with swine influenza were reported from 10 states in the United States. But in April 2005 a severe outbreak was reported in Mexico, killing more than 100 people. Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said suspected swine flu cases in his country had risen to 1,614. |
How does swine influenza spread? | ||
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How are swine influenza viruses different from human influenza viruses? |
H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis. But this latest version of H1N1 is different: it contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine. Flu viruses have the ability to swap genetic components with each other, and it seems likely that the new version of H1N1 resulted from a mixing of different versions of the virus, which may usually affect different species, in the same animal host. |
What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans? |
Symptoms of swine influenza in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu. These include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine influenza infection in people. Like seasonal influenza, swine influenza may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. |
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