What are the swine flu facts?
Swine flu is caused by infection with the H1N1 flu (influenza) virus. Because the H1N1 virus is fairly new (as of the 2009 flu season), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that not many people are immune to it.TransmissionSwine flu spreads from person-to-person much like the seasonal flu; this means that transmission occurs from contact with an infected person or by touching a contaminated surface and then the mouth.SymptomsThe symptoms of swine flu are like those of seasonal flu and include fever and chills, coughing, sore throat, runny nose or congestion, headache, body aches and fatigue. Unlike seasonal flu, swine flu may also cause diarrhea and vomiting.FeaturesAlthough similar to the seasonal flu, the symptoms of swine flu may be more severe.OriginsSwine flu was originally thought to be like a flu that commonly affects pigs, hence its name.
