What is the difference between seasonal flu and H1N1 flu?
Influenza (the flu) is an illness caused by a virus. It usually causes people to get sick in the fall and winter, but people can get the flu at any time during the year. H1N1 flu is the specific type of virus that is causing the current flu pandemic, or worldwide infection. It has also been called “swine flu.” Seasonal flu generally occurs in the fall and winter. H1N1 flu is not limited to specific seasons. Both viruses cause respiratory illnesses. Because very few people have immunity to H1N1, many individuals are likely to get H1N1 flu if they are exposed to the virus. The symptoms of seasonal and H1N1 flu are similar and include body aches and headache, fatigue, fever and chills, increased cough and sore throat. Both seasonal and H1N1 flu can easily spread from person to person when someone with influenza coughs or sneezes. The cough or sneeze scatters small droplets that contain viruses. Sometimes a person may become infected with the flu by touching something that has flu viruses
Influenza (the flu) is an illness caused by a virus. It usually causes people to get sick in the fall and winter, but people can get the flu at any time during the year. The 2009 H1N1 flu is the specific type of virus that caused the recent flu pandemic, or worldwide infection. It has also been called “swine flu.” Seasonal flu generally occurs in the fall and winter. H1N1 flu was not limited to specific seasons. Both viruses cause respiratory illnesses. The symptoms of seasonal and H1N1 flu are similar and include body aches and headache, fatigue, fever and chills, increased cough and sore throat. Both seasonal and H1N1 flu can easily spread from person to person when someone with influenza coughs or sneezes. The cough or sneeze scatters small droplets that contain viruses. Sometimes a person may become infected with the flu by touching something that has flu viruses on it (like a door knob) and then touching their mouth or nose.
