What is “Swine” flu? Swine Influenza (swine fl u) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine fl u viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the [...]

The National Influenza Immunization Program, the official title for this venture, was unprecedented in intended timing and in scope among American immunization efforts . It aimed at inoculating everyone before becember 1976 against a new flu strain that might conceivably become as big a killer as the flu of 1918, the worst ever . The [...]

Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by bird and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (that is, swap genes) and new viruses can emerge.
That is what has happened with the recent cases of [...]

Most genetic changes in the flu viruses human, pig, and bird are small and subtle point mutations in the virus’s RNA. Less common but more alarming are sudden, wholesale changes that replace entire genes and are more likely to circumvent the immune system. This process, called genetic shift, is exactly what is now occurring in [...]

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible [...]

The Swine Flu Information Line was set up to provide immediate and accurate information to residents with questions or concerns about the disease,” said Health Director Chiyome Fukino, M.D. “With recent worldwide events, our department has received increasing requests for general information on swine influenza, and people need to know what they can do to [...]

What are the symptoms of Swine Flu?
• Fever 100° or higher
• Head and body aches
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Chills
• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting and/or Diarrhea
What should I do if I think I am sick?
• If you have a fever of 100°F or higher and one of the symptoms listed above, call your doctor or medical provider. Your doctor may have you come in for [...]

What is H1N1 influenza?
H1N1 flu, also known as “swine flu,” is a respiratory disease caused by a type of influenza virus. There are several different types of the “H1N1” flu virus. One type causes illness in pigs. Another type causes illness in people. (Occasionally, the H1N1 virus from pigs can cause illness in humans and [...]