H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Summary Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus. It’s named for a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. In 2009 a strain of swine flu called H1N1 infected many people around the world. The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. There are antiviral medicines you can take to prevent or treat swine flu. There is a vaccine available to protect against swine flu. You can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners. Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Trying to avoid close contact with sick people. Staying home from work or school if you are sick. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Avoiding the Flu Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention World Health Organization World Health Organization Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Influenza, Human National Institutes of Health Start Here Colds and the Flu: H1N1 Influenza American Academy of Family Physicians H1N1 (Originally Referred to As Swine Flu) Department of Health and Human Services Swine Influenza/Variant Influenza Viruses Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Array College students and the flu H1N1 (swine) influenza Pregnancy and the flu Your baby and the flu Your child and the flu Health Check Tools Flu Checkup DSHI Systems Prevention and Risk Factors Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Inactivated or Recombinant): What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Live, Intranasal): What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Selecting Viruses for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Journal Articles H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Related Issues Should I Get a Flu Shot? American Cancer Society Statistics and Research Situation Update: Summary of Weekly FluView Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Specifics Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) in Pigs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Variant (Swine Origin) Influenza Viruses in Humans Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
