Swine flu is caused by a variant strain of influenza virus. It is termed H1N1 2009 after the 2009 pandemic that it caused infection millions worldwide.

Swine flu symptoms are similar to other influenza infections

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) the symptoms of swine flu are similar to other influenza infections.

It causes infection and inflammation of the upper airways.

There may be at least 2 symptoms among the following list in a person infected with a flu virus. (1-5) -

• Sudden, high fever usually accompanied by chills and shivering. Fever is usually above 38ºC.
• Sneezing, runny nose and watering red eyes
• Coughing
• Headaches
• Body and limb aches and muscle pains
• Coughing
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Chest congestion
• Sore throat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea. A stomach upset is a particular feature of the H1N1 2009 virus infection
• In severe cases there may be difficulty breathing
• The illness typically lasts for 4 days to a week. The patient is capable for transmitting the infection 1 day prior to the onset of symptoms to 7 days after onset.
• Children may also develop severe disease with difficulty breathing, rapid and shallow breathing, bluish discoloration due to lack of oxygen (cyanosis), confusion, delirium, irritability, refusal of food, dehydration etc.

High risk groups

Most swine flu infections are mild and resolve by themselves. However, in the high risk groups there is a risk of complications. High risk groups include (5) –

• Pregnant women
• Those with chronic respiratory disease like asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Chronic heart disease like chronic heart failure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Long term liver disease
• Neurological conditions like Parkinsonism, Alzheimer’s disease etc.
• Those with suppressed immunity like AIDS sufferers, people who have received organ transplants and are on immunosuppressant drugs etc.
• Those with diabetes mellitus
• Infants and toddlers
• Elderly over 65 years of age

How is swine flu spread?

Swine flu is not spread through eating properly handled and prepared pork or other produce from pigs.

The virus can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. This is common among people who are in close proximity to infected pigs such as those working with them.

Human-to-human transmission then occurs which is how the virus spreads.

This spread occurs by the infected person coughing or sneezing into the air breathed by healthy persons.

People also may become infected by touching objects with the flu virus on them and then touching their mouth or nose. This could be a door knob, public phone or computers etc. (3)