We can expect a new flu season at the beginning of each fall.  Usually it lasts well into winter.  So-called “regular” flu strains are seasonal and are often referred to as “seasonal flu.”  While they pose a danger to the elderly and those with weak immune systems, generally most healthy people may be sick for a few days and then return to health.  But with all the talk about swine flu, it might make you wonder:  What is the difference between swine flu and regular flu?

One of the big differences has to do with immunity.  We are all exposed year to year to the various strains of regular flu.  The H1N1 strain, or the swine flu, is different.  It is an entirely new strain that, prior to the spring of this year, no one has ever been exposed to.  

Therefore no one is automatically immune.

Where did swine flu originate? This type of flu strain, the H1N1, originates in the intestines of pigs. There is also a bird strain (H5N1) that crosses over to humans from time to time.  The current swine flu is believed to have had its origins on a pig farm in Mexico. The first person to contract it was from that area. That happened in April, 2009.

Since this is an entirely new strain, no one is immune. It appears, however, that those over the age of 65 are less susceptible to this strain.  It is believed that their exposure to similar animal strains in the 1950s and 1960s may be the reason.

According to the CDC, people 25 and younger are most likely to catch this strain.  Even with their good health and strength, this  swine flu could become a danger to them.  

Will regular flu vaccine protect against swine flu?  No. The swine flu vaccine is entirely separate.  It appears that it will not be available until sometime in October, 2009.  Initial supplies will likely be rationed because manufacturers are not able to provide a large enough supply to inoculate everyone at the beginning of flu season.

Swine flu and regular flu have identical early symptoms: Coughing and sneezing, fever and sore throat, runny nose with chills, aches and fatigue.  Vomiting and diarrhea are also experienced by some.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will have to tell you which strain you have.  This can be determined by a simple swab test.

If you have the normal flu, your symptoms usually last a few days at most. In the case of swine flu, however, the symptoms may last 7 days or longer.

If you contract the H1N1 virus, you can count on being down for at least a week. Your doctor will want to watch your breathing. Health officials feel the greatest danger is to the respiratory system. If you have the flu and have difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Health officials are concerned that the swine flu will reappear in greater force this fall and winter. It has the potential to be deadly, and it could interrupt public transportation and commerce.

As we have discussed, even young, healthy people need to stay alert. Everyone should be vigilant, because there are deadly differences between swine flu and regular flu.

We can expect a new flu season at the beginning of each fall.  Usually it lasts well into winter.  So-called “regular” flu strains are seasonal and are often referred to as “seasonal flu.”  While they pose a danger to the elderly and those with weak immune systems, generally most healthy people may be sick for a few days and then return to health.  But with all the talk about swine flu, it might make you wonder:  What is the difference between swine flu and regular flu?

One of the big differences has to do with immunity.  We are all exposed year to year to the various strains of regular flu.  The H1N1 strain, or the swine flu, is different.  It is an entirely new strain that, prior to the spring of this year, no one has ever been exposed to.  

Therefore no one is automatically immune.

Where did swine flu originate? This type of flu strain, the H1N1, originates in the intestines of pigs. There is also a bird strain (H5N1) that crosses over to humans from time to time.  The current swine flu is believed to have had its origins on a pig farm in Mexico. The first person to contract it was from that area. That happened in April, 2009.

Since this is an entirely new strain, no one is immune. It appears, however, that those over the age of 65 are less susceptible to this strain.  It is believed that their exposure to similar animal strains in the 1950s and 1960s may be the reason.

According to the CDC, people 25 and younger are most likely to catch this strain.  Even with their good health and strength, this  swine flu could become a danger to them.  

Will regular flu vaccine protect against swine flu?  No. The swine flu vaccine is entirely separate.  It appears that it will not be available until sometime in October, 2009.  Initial supplies will likely be rationed because manufacturers are not able to provide a large enough supply to inoculate everyone at the beginning of flu season.

Swine flu and regular flu have identical early symptoms: Coughing and sneezing, fever and sore throat, runny nose with chills, aches and fatigue.  Vomiting and diarrhea are also experienced by some.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will have to tell you which strain you have.  This can be determined by a simple swab test.

If you have the normal flu, your symptoms usually last a few days at most. In the case of swine flu, however, the symptoms may last 7 days or longer.

If you contract the H1N1 virus, you can count on being down for at least a week. Your doctor will want to watch your breathing. Health officials feel the greatest danger is to the respiratory system. If you have the flu and have difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Health officials are concerned that the swine flu will reappear in greater force this fall and winter. It has the potential to be deadly, and it could interrupt public transportation and commerce.

As we have discussed, even young, healthy people need to stay alert. Everyone should be vigilant, because there are deadly differences between swine flu and regular flu.

We can expect a new flu season at the beginning of each fall.  Usually it lasts well into winter.  So-called “regular” flu strains are seasonal and are often referred to as “seasonal flu.”  While they pose a danger to the elderly and those with weak immune systems, generally most healthy people may be sick for a few days and then return to health.  But with all the talk about swine flu, it might make you wonder:  What is the difference between swine flu and regular flu?

One of the big differences has to do with immunity.  We are all exposed year to year to the various strains of regular flu.  The H1N1 strain, or the swine flu, is different.  It is an entirely new strain that, prior to the spring of this year, no one has ever been exposed to.  

Therefore no one is automatically immune.

Where did swine flu originate? This type of flu strain, the H1N1, originates in the intestines of pigs. There is also a bird strain (H5N1) that crosses over to humans from time to time.  The current swine flu is believed to have had its origins on a pig farm in Mexico. The first person to contract it was from that area. That happened in April, 2009.

Since this is an entirely new strain, no one is immune. It appears, however, that those over the age of 65 are less susceptible to this strain.  It is believed that their exposure to similar animal strains in the 1950s and 1960s may be the reason.

According to the CDC, people 25 and younger are most likely to catch this strain.  Even with their good health and strength, this  swine flu could become a danger to them.  

Will regular flu vaccine protect against swine flu?  No. The swine flu vaccine is entirely separate.  It appears that it will not be available until sometime in October, 2009.  Initial supplies will likely be rationed because manufacturers are not able to provide a large enough supply to inoculate everyone at the beginning of flu season.

Swine flu and regular flu have identical early symptoms: Coughing and sneezing, fever and sore throat, runny nose with chills, aches and fatigue.  Vomiting and diarrhea are also experienced by some.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will have to tell you which strain you have.  This can be determined by a simple swab test.

If you have the normal flu, your symptoms usually last a few days at most. In the case of swine flu, however, the symptoms may last 7 days or longer.

If you contract the H1N1 virus, you can count on being down for at least a week. Your doctor will want to watch your breathing. Health officials feel the greatest danger is to the respiratory system. If you have the flu and have difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Health officials are concerned that the swine flu will reappear in greater force this fall and winter. It has the potential to be deadly, and it could interrupt public transportation and commerce.

As we have discussed, even young, healthy people need to stay alert. Everyone should be vigilant, because there are deadly differences between swine flu and regular flu.

We can expect a new flu season at the beginning of each fall.  Usually it lasts well into winter.  So-called “regular” flu strains are seasonal and are often referred to as “seasonal flu.”  While they pose a danger to the elderly and those with weak immune systems, generally most healthy people may be sick for a few days and then return to health.  But with all the talk about swine flu, it might make you wonder:  What is the difference between swine flu and regular flu?

One of the big differences has to do with immunity.  We are all exposed year to year to the various strains of regular flu.  The H1N1 strain, or the swine flu, is different.  It is an entirely new strain that, prior to the spring of this year, no one has ever been exposed to.  

Therefore no one is automatically immune.

Where did swine flu originate? This type of flu strain, the H1N1, originates in the intestines of pigs. There is also a bird strain (H5N1) that crosses over to humans from time to time.  The current swine flu is believed to have had its origins on a pig farm in Mexico. The first person to contract it was from that area. That happened in April, 2009.

Since this is an entirely new strain, no one is immune. It appears, however, that those over the age of 65 are less susceptible to this strain.  It is believed that their exposure to similar animal strains in the 1950s and 1960s may be the reason.

According to the CDC, people 25 and younger are most likely to catch this strain.  Even with their good health and strength, this  swine flu could become a danger to them.  

Will regular flu vaccine protect against swine flu?  No. The swine flu vaccine is entirely separate.  It appears that it will not be available until sometime in October, 2009.  Initial supplies will likely be rationed because manufacturers are not able to provide a large enough supply to inoculate everyone at the beginning of flu season.

Swine flu and regular flu have identical early symptoms: Coughing and sneezing, fever and sore throat, runny nose with chills, aches and fatigue.  Vomiting and diarrhea are also experienced by some.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will have to tell you which strain you have.  This can be determined by a simple swab test.

If you have the normal flu, your symptoms usually last a few days at most. In the case of swine flu, however, the symptoms may last 7 days or longer.

If you contract the H1N1 virus, you can count on being down for at least a week. Your doctor will want to watch your breathing. Health officials feel the greatest danger is to the respiratory system. If you have the flu and have difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Health officials are concerned that the swine flu will reappear in greater force this fall and winter. It has the potential to be deadly, and it could interrupt public transportation and commerce.

As we have discussed, even young, healthy people need to stay alert. Everyone should be vigilant, because there are deadly differences between swine flu and regular flu.

We can expect a new flu season at the beginning of each fall.  Usually it lasts well into winter.  So-called “regular” flu strains are seasonal and are often referred to as “seasonal flu.”  While they pose a danger to the elderly and those with weak immune systems, generally most healthy people may be sick for a few days and then return to health.  But with all the talk about swine flu, it might make you wonder:  What is the difference between swine flu and regular flu?

One of the big differences has to do with immunity.  We are all exposed year to year to the various strains of regular flu.  The H1N1 strain, or the swine flu, is different.  It is an entirely new strain that, prior to the spring of this year, no one has ever been exposed to.  

Therefore no one is automatically immune.

Where did swine flu originate? This type of flu strain, the H1N1, originates in the intestines of pigs. There is also a bird strain (H5N1) that crosses over to humans from time to time.  The current swine flu is believed to have had its origins on a pig farm in Mexico. The first person to contract it was from that area. That happened in April, 2009.

Since this is an entirely new strain, no one is immune. It appears, however, that those over the age of 65 are less susceptible to this strain.  It is believed that their exposure to similar animal strains in the 1950s and 1960s may be the reason.

According to the CDC, people 25 and younger are most likely to catch this strain.  Even with their good health and strength, this  swine flu could become a danger to them.  

Will regular flu vaccine protect against swine flu?  No. The swine flu vaccine is entirely separate.  It appears that it will not be available until sometime in October, 2009.  Initial supplies will likely be rationed because manufacturers are not able to provide a large enough supply to inoculate everyone at the beginning of flu season.

Swine flu and regular flu have identical early symptoms: Coughing and sneezing, fever and sore throat, runny nose with chills, aches and fatigue.  Vomiting and diarrhea are also experienced by some.

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will have to tell you which strain you have.  This can be determined by a simple swab test.

If you have the normal flu, your symptoms usually last a few days at most. In the case of swine flu, however, the symptoms may last 7 days or longer.

If you contract the H1N1 virus, you can count on being down for at least a week. Your doctor will want to watch your breathing. Health officials feel the greatest danger is to the respiratory system. If you have the flu and have difficulty breathing, seek medical help immediately.

Health officials are concerned that the swine flu will reappear in greater force this fall and winter. It has the potential to be deadly, and it could interrupt public transportation and commerce.

As we have discussed, even young, healthy people need to stay alert. Everyone should be vigilant, because there are deadly differences between swine flu and regular flu.