Influenza A/H1N1 basics
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by a Type A flu virus that regularly occurs among pig herds. The H1N1 strain that's the focus of the current outbreak in Mexico can be transmitted from one human to another.
How do people get H1N1?
The H1N1 influenza spreads from person to person by way of the respiratory tract.
When an infected person coughs or sneezes, he or she releases viral particles into the air and when someone else comes along and inhales those particles, that person can contract the virus.
After a cough or sneeze, viral particles can also land on surfaces such as counters and doorknobs. If you touch a virus-infested counter or doorknob and then rub your itchy nose or touch your mouth, those particles can be transmitted to your respiratory system, making you sick.
The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to those of seasonal flu. Some people stricken with swine flu have also been hit with vomiting and diarrhea.
Here are some precautions to take to avoid getting the H1N1 virus or any other influenza strain:
Wash your hands. You've heard this advice repeated thousands of times, but it's still the best defence against the flu. Keep viral particles off your hands by washing your hands vigorously with soap and hot water several times a day; and dry well. You can also use antibacterial gels to kill germs.
Click to continue for more ways to prevent flu infection...
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