Health

The H1N1 flu virus is a relatively new flu that has affected people worldwide and caused many deaths in certain groups of the population. It is a new influenza virus that made its untimely and dreaded debut in 2009. This type of flu is not limited to any one area of the country or world and has become a global threat to many people’s health. It is common name is the “swine flu” because after scientific study, it was originally found that some of the genes in this particular type of influenza were the same flu genes found in some pigs in North America.

However, the newest strain of the H1N1 flu that has hit the global population so hard beginning in 2009 is a different strain and genes have been found that relate more to pigs and birds found in Asia and Europe. The illness is rather highly contagious and seems to be contracted more by young people of college age than the elderly even though very young children and the elderly are at very high risk if they do contract it.

The symptoms include some typical flu symptoms such as vomiting, fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches and more. H1N1 symptoms can also include serious respiratory problems without fever which can make it very deadly for some. The symptoms are much more likely to be harsher and more serious than the more traditional flu viruses that have commonly be around for years. Symptoms can be moderate to severe and it’s hard to know how serious this flu will become when it is contracted. That’s why it is important to get to a doctor as soon as a person believes he or she may have the illness.

A new vaccine has been developed that may help to lower the risks of contraction of the disease. There are many public places to receive the H1N1 vaccine such as pharmacies or your local Fire Department. Also, you can receive the vaccine at your doctor’s office. It is assumed that those who have had this particular flu strain will build up the necessary antibodies naturally so that they will not repeat the illness if exposed. Also, those who have the vaccine are expected to be able to avoid contraction from the H1N1 flu. For further information about the H1N1 flu and how to avoid contracting it, be sure to check with your healthcare professional.