A contagious flu - All age groups hit
A new strain of type A influenza originated in pig populations and has now mutated to a virus that has spread to humans. The swine flu (or pig flu) is highly contagious and affects all age groups.
The strain of flu originated in Mexico
The human form of the disease appears to have started in Mexico where dozens of fatalities have occurred and fear of the illness demanded the need for schools and public areas to be closed. The swine flu is one particular strain of the influenza virus. This new virus was discovered in America in April 2009 and was declared a pandemic that was underway by the World Health Organization in June 2009. The swine flu is being spread from one person to another in a similar fashion as the traditional seasonal flu. This this is called the swine flu because it is genetically similar to a virus that generally infects pigs in North America. It also has genes that are similar to a virus that infects birds in Asia, along with genes of a flu that infects people.
Global epidemic
New cases of the swine flu in the U.S., Europe and Asia are occurring and concern from the World Health Organization about controlling the disease creates daily headlines.
Although this strain of flu may affect individuals differently, severe cases have led to serious illness. Some people may experience mild or no symptoms while others are severely sickened by the disease. By having a general understanding of the symptoms that indicate a swine flu infection, a person may take action to receive treatment quickly.
