Swine Flu Symptoms

Swine flu may seem innocuous at first, it's symptoms are much like the seasonal flu, but remember that the age range of those who have died from this outbreak is 25-40, not the typical age for people dying of seasonal flu.  Usually we see the elderly dying from seasonal flu, but the age range of those affected by this outbreak show the seriousness of it and possible devastation it can inflict.  

JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG AND HEALTHY DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU'RE IMMUNE!

The symptoms of Swine Flu are very similar to seasonal flu and may include the following:

1.  Sudden Fever

2.  Dry Cough

3.  Sore Throat

4.  Headache

5.  Body/Muscle Aches

6.  Chills

7.  Fatigue

8.  Diarrhea (rare)

9.  Vomiting (rare)

It is possible that you may experience only some of the symptoms in different combinations and not all of them.  Diarrhea and vomiting is more rare but not unheard of.  If you have any of these symptoms and suspect that it is swine flu (H1N1), you are advised to see a doctor immediately.  

If you are infected and have more specific questions the United States Department of Health has a dedicated information hot line specifically for that purpose:  

Department of Health Hot Line:

800-808-1987

What is Swine Flu?

It is important for everyone to understand the basics of this virus before understanding how to prevent it and take all the correct precautions.  

Swine flu is an influenza A virus which is the type of virus that has had the most devastating effects on human beings.  This strain of H1N1 flu is the same virus that was responsible for the Spanish Flu Pandemic which caused 50 million to 100 million deaths around the world from 1918 to 1919.  So it's obvious why various health agencies have been on watch for Avian flu (H5N1) for the past decade or so.  Swine flu is only a name, as the virus contains DNA from avian, swine, and human viruses. 

PORK IS UNRELATED TO THE SPREAD OF THIS VIRUS, IT CAN NOW BE TRANSMITTED HUMAN-TO-HUMAN AND THE PRECAUTIONS YOU SHOULD TAKE MUST TAKE THESE FACTS INTO CONSIDERATION!  PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING QUOTE FROM REUTERS:

"It likely originated in pigs, but the Mexican government and the World Health Organisation have ruled out any risk of infection from eating pork."

So far there have been 20 to 81 people who have died in Mexico from the virus as well as 20 cases (non-fatal) in the US, 9 in Canada, as well as the possibility of infection in Spain, France, and New Zealand.  Wherever you are, the potential that this deadly virus may affect your life is very high.  PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

This strain of the flu is a new strain, so the seasonal flu vaccine WILL NOT protect against it.  It may take months after the flu has spread until there is a reliable vaccine.  

KEEP READING FOR MORE UPDATES

Swine Flu Prevention Blog!

Due to the recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the US, I've decided to create a simple blog as a way to transmit all the information on the web about swine flu so people can be prepared and know the risks.  I'll include links to important governments sites, all the latest updates, and detailed information on prevention and infection.  Keep on checking back to this site as it will be an important hub for all information about swine flu. Stay Safe!