Stacey-Ann's Blog

Swine Flu, Known as H1N1 Influenza, Facts and symptoms

Swine Flu, officially known as H1N1 influenza , is having a far reaching effect on every one of us. The virus was first tracked in a small town in Mexico in May of 2009 and has spread to nearly every part of the world. The World Health Organization considers it a phase 6 pandemic. Individual cases have stopped being verified and reported as the numbers have increased exponentially. The death toll has nearly reached 3,000 and the fall flu season hasn't hit yet.

Symptoms of the H1N1 virus are similar to other strains of flu including muscle aches, upper respiratory infection, fever, nausea and general weakness. What makes this flu scary is that deaths have been reported in younger apparently healthy individuals. Usually the mortality rate for influenza is highest among the very young, old, and those in poor health. It's thought that the immune systems of younger healthy adults over react to the virus. The current flu vaccine is ineffective against this new H1N1 strain. Flu is caused by a virus.

the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms

Symptom	Cold	H1N1 Flu
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.