Just like people, pigs can get influenza, commonly known as the 'flu'. However, the virus that causes swine flu is not the same as the viruses that cause human influenza. Swine flu rarely infects humans, and the rare cases that have occurred in humans before have mainly affected those that have had direct contact with pigs. But, unfortunately, the current swine flu outbreak is very different. It is caused by a new type of swine influenza virus that is spreading from person to person, and it is occurring amongst people who have not had any contact with pigs at all.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
The symptoms associated with swine flu are very much like those observed with regular flu and include coughing, a sore throat, fever, aches throughout the body, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea in association with swine flu. However, these symptoms can also be caused by a lot of other medical conditions and this means that your Doctor can't diagnose, just based on the symptoms, whether you are infected with swine flu or not. It takes laboratory tests to determine whether it is swine flu or something else.
What should I do if I think I may have swine flu?
If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home and if you cough or sneeze be sure to cover your mouth and nose using a tissue. Throw the tissue in the rubbish and immediately wash your hands. That will assist in preventing the virus from spreading.
If you have flu symptoms, and you've recently visited a high-risk area like Mexico, or been in contact with someone who has recently been there, health officials recommend that you see your doctor as soon as possible. If you have flu symptoms but haven't been in a high-risk situation, you may still want to see a doctor; this will, at least, put your mind at rest.
If your doctor suspects swine flu, he or she will be able to take swabs that will be sent to a lab to determine the cause of your symptoms.