¤Swine flu (H1N1 influenza virus) facts ¤

¤Swine flu (H1N1
influenza virus) facts ¤

>Swine flu (swine influenza) is
a respiratory disease caused
... by viruses (influenza viruses)
that infect the respiratory
tract of pigs and result in nasal
secretions, a barking cough, decreased appetite, and listless
behavior.

>Swine flu viruses may mutate
(change) so that they are
easily transmissible among
humans.

>The 2009 swine flu outbreak is
due to infection with the so-
called H1N1 virus and was first
observed in Mexico.

>Symptoms of swine flu in
humans are similar to most
influenza infections: fever
(100 F or greater), cough, nasal
secretions, fatigue, and
headache.

>Two antiviral agents,
zanamivir (Relenza) and
oseltamivir (Tamiflu), have
been reported to help prevent
or reduce the effects of swine
flu if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.