Swine influenza

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Swine influenza (also called H1N1 flu, swine flu, hog flu, and pig flu) is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus (SIV) is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs. As of 2009, the known SIV strains include influenza C and the subtypes of influenza A known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N1, H3N2, and H2N3.

Swine influenza virus is common throughout pig populations worldwide. Transmission of the virus from pigs to humans is not common and does not always lead to human influenza, often resulting only in the production of antibodies in the blood. If transmission does cause human influenza, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People with regular exposure to pigs are at increased risk of swine flu infection. The meat of an infected animal poses no risk of infection when properly cooked.

During the mid-20th century, identification of influenza subtypes became possible, allowing accurate diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, only 50 such transmissions have been confirmed. These strains of swine flu rarely pass from human to human. Symptoms of zoonotic swine flu in humans are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.

For more information about Swine influenza, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with swine flu

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CDC: Swine flu is widespread only in 25 states (AP)

CDC: Swine flu is widespread only in 25 states (Update)

Medicine & Health / Diseases

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(AP) -- Swine flu infections continue to wane, just as vaccine is becoming plentiful enough that some communities are allowing everyone to get it, not just those in priority groups.


Glaxo's swine flu shot may give kids fever

Medicine & Health / Medications

created Dec 04, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(AP) -- The European Medicines Agency warns that young children given GlaxoSmithKline's swine flu shot may get a fever after their second dose.


Netherlands reports mutant swine flu death

Medicine & Health / Diseases

created Dec 03, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Dutch authorities said Thursday a patient infected by a mutant strain of the swine flu virus had died, but added that this was not the cause of death.


'Outbreaks Near Me' app now available for Android mobile phones

Technology / Software

created Dec 01, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- "Outbreaks Near Me," an up-to-the-minute disease-tracking system released as an iPhone application in September, is now available for use on Android mobile phones, greatly increasing the number of people ...


WHO approves Glaxo's swine flu shot

Medicine & Health / Medications

created Dec 01, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

(AP) -- Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline says one of its swine flu vaccines has been certified by the World Health Organization, making it available for donors to buy for developing countries.


CDC: Swine flu less widespread, down to 32 states

Medicine & Health / Diseases

created Nov 30, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(AP) -- A new government report says swine flu infections seem to be dropping, but the number of children who died with the illness rose by about 30.