H1N1 Virus
By: Garrett Dennis
General Overview
H1N1 first came to public attention in 2009, and became a pandemic in 2010. The World Health Organization declared a pandemic in August, and worked on finding a vaccine. The H1N1strain of Influenza(also known as Swine flu, because of its relation to pigs), is a seasonal flu strain, that has most of the same effects as the seasonal flu. the virus usually affects the respiratory, gastric, and intestinal systems and worsens chronic health conditions. Although the virus originated in pigs, you cannot get it from poorly prepared meat.
Causes + Incidence
Most experts believe that you get the flu when a person with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks and droplets containing their germs land in your mouth or nose. You can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose.
-The virus is indiscriminate about who it infects, as it can easily infect anyone. The Mortality rate is extremely low as H1N1 is harmless, unless the individual is suffering from other chronic problems or diseases.
Diagnosis
Signs and Symptoms
All types of flu have similar symptoms, with each other and with the common cold, but the flu is more severe.
Flu symptoms include:
- A 100oF or higher fever (not everyone with the flu has a fever)
- A cough and/or sore throat
- A runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches and/or body aches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
Treatment
Getting the vaccine, and the annual seasonal flu vaccine are the only ways to prevent the onset of the virus.