The differences between Swine flu and Ordinary flu
The year 2009 brought new fear to the world that made people masked their faces because of fear. From China to Brazil, Northern continent to the Eastern corner of the globe dreaded it. Better known as Swine flu, the time had seen people go crazy over even one sneeze! Running nose was enough of the cause to rush to the doctor and diagnosis tests.
The H1N1 virus was first detected in human in the U.S and Mexico in April, 2009. Spreading like Influenza, the H1N1 was transmissible from human to human. World Health Organization coined the term A/H1N1 2009 or Pandemic H1N1 2009 giving it a pandemic status.
It is to be noted that even the common influenza or flu is caused by H1N1 virus too; however, both the ordinary flu and Swine flu are different. Influenza Types A, B or C are common forms of seasonal flu.
H1N1 virus causes Swine flu in human. It is vastly different from the seasonal flu we fall for due to changing weathers and transitions. This virus can create ruckus in human body system by viral pneumonia and lung failure. Like any other pandemic influenza virus, this virus also originated from animal influenza virus.
The initial tests of 2009 H1N1 virus showed that the gene structure of influenza virus found in human beings was very much similar to the influenza viruses found in North American pigs or swine. Later upon, it was found in an investigation that it was a cross between bird flu, human flu and pig flu scientifically, known as “reassortant” virus. The subtypes H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2 are also circulating.
The clinical symptoms of swine flu are somewhat similar to seasonal influenza such as sickness, fever, cough, headache, muscle or joint pain, runny nose and sore throat including vomiting and diarrhea. Rarely a seasonal influenza could be cause of death. However, Swine flu in 95% of the cases is deadly due to lung failure and viral pneumonia.
Like Flu viruses, Swine flu spreads from person to person through coughing, sneezing or even from talking. The infection even spreads by touching the virus infested surfaces such as nose or mouth. People from younger age group, obese patients, and pregnant mothers, patients of respiratory ailments and with chronic neurological conditions are at high risk of swine flu. However, this pattern is not noticed with seasonal flu.