Swine flu virus
A respiratory disease, swine flu is caused by a new strain of influenza, which is known as the H1N1 virus. H1N1 is the same kind of influenza strain that is responsible for seasonal flu in humans, but perhaps what makes the swine flu virus a deadlier one is the fact that it is a mutated version, which is resistant to the common flu vaccine.
A better way to explain the swine flu viruses is that these are a transmuted version of the flu virus from pigs and humans, a fact that also explains the absence of any vaccine for the disease.
Though the origin of the virus may have been from pigs, it is now a completely human disease and transmits from one person to another.
In the past, there have been several cases of flu in pigs as well as some rare cases of swine flu infection in people who have been around pigs a lot, but the new swine flu virus that originated in Mexico involves the strain which has DNA similar to that found in both humans and swine.
Swine flu virus has a genetic composition different from a common H1N1 strain found in humans but a combination of the swine, human and avian viruses.
Swine flu infection spreads from an infected person to a healthy person through cough and sneeze. Like the seasonal flu, common swine flu symptoms are high fever, cough, loss of appetite, runny nose, sore throat etc.
It is advisable to consult your doctor if you suspect of having the H1N1 virus or have travelled to an infected place recently. Maintaining hygiene is also important as the infection also spreads if a person touches his mouth or nose after touching a contaminated surface.
Swine flu patients should drink plenty of liquids and get proper rest. Alcohol and tobacco related products should be avoided.