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

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, Human National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• College students and the flu Medical Encyclopedia
• H1N1 (swine) influenza Medical Encyclopedia
• Pregnancy and the flu Medical Encyclopedia
• Your baby and the flu Medical Encyclopedia
• Your child and the flu Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• H1N1 Influenza American Academy of Family Physicians
• Swine Influenza/Variant Influenza Viruses Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Inactivated or Recombinant): What You Need to Know Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Journal Articles

• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

Specifics

• Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) in Pigs Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Variant Influenza Viruses Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Related Issues

• Vaccinations and Flu Shots for People with Cancer American Cancer Society

Statistics and Research

• Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report Centers for Disease Control and Prevention