Wednesday, June 24, 2009

What Is Swine (H1N1) flu And What Are The Symptoms?


Dr. Joe Bresee, with CDC's Influenza Division, describes the symptoms of swine flu and warning signs to look for that indicate the need for urgent medical attention.
H1N1 or “swine flu” as it is commonly referred to as, is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. According to PandemicFlu.gov, this influenza virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico, Japan and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus.
The original reference of this flu as “swine flu” came to be because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. Further studies have shown that H1N1 virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.
CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.
You can keep yourself updated at Pandemicfly.org and be safe. H1N1 virus is fatal and extreme care should be taken.

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