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Cold and Flu Prevention

Protecting your family from the germs that cause colds and the flu is easier than you might think. Learn tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season.

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H1N1/Swine Flu

According to the CDC, H1N1 is a respiratory disease that is caused by influenza type A virus. This virus was originally referred to as "swine flu" because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in the virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that the 2009 H1N1 is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes.

  • In the U.S., H1N1 is a "newer" flu than seasonal influenza; the first case occurred in the U.S. in April of 2009.
  • H1N1 is contagious and like seasonal flu, spreads human-to-human through the air, in droplets from coughing, sneezing or talking. These droplets can land on hands or surfaces.

H1N1/Swine Flu Symptoms

Symptoms of H1N1 are generally the same as those found with seasonal flu, except they also often include vomiting and diarrhea. Like seasonal flu, symptoms for H1N1 can vary from mild to severe.

Read about Flu Vaccines.