The phrase, “swine flu,” is feared by many. It is really called H1N1, and several things about it, including its common reference as the swine flu, have many people baffled. It can be very confusing when someone you know has the swine flu and is fine a week later, but then someone on the other side of the country dies from it. As the disease spreads so do the false ideas about it, thankfully all our questions can be answered legitimately from sources such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
For starters the reason the H1N1 flu is called swine flu is because this specific type of influenza is commonly found in North American pigs. However the most recent research shows that there are very few similarities between them. It is spread the same way as any seasonal flu, from person to person. It is contagious just like any other flu, from coughing and sneezing or coming in contact with a person who has it. The tricky part is you won’t know you are sick for at least a week. Apparently it could be longer if your immune system is weak. If you are diagnosed with the flu, do not panic, it might not even be swine flu. There are three different categories of influenza. Influenza A is made up of subtypes. This season they are H1N1 and H3N2. There is also type B and C. The flu shot is supposed to protect against types A and B. The deaths caused by H1N1 are usually contributed to by other severe diseases. Since it is a respiratory virus, people with severe respiratory diseases will have a harder time recovering. There are vaccines for H1N1 and other seasonal strains of the flu. Just remember to wash your hands, cover your mouth, and consider getting the vaccination!
For starters the reason the H1N1 flu is called swine flu is because this specific type of influenza is commonly found in North American pigs. However the most recent research shows that there are very few similarities between them. It is spread the same way as any seasonal flu, from person to person. It is contagious just like any other flu, from coughing and sneezing or coming in contact with a person who has it. The tricky part is you won’t know you are sick for at least a week. Apparently it could be longer if your immune system is weak. If you are diagnosed with the flu, do not panic, it might not even be swine flu. There are three different categories of influenza. Influenza A is made up of subtypes. This season they are H1N1 and H3N2. There is also type B and C. The flu shot is supposed to protect against types A and B. The deaths caused by H1N1 are usually contributed to by other severe diseases. Since it is a respiratory virus, people with severe respiratory diseases will have a harder time recovering. There are vaccines for H1N1 and other seasonal strains of the flu. Just remember to wash your hands, cover your mouth, and consider getting the vaccination!
