What Makes the Swine Flu Different?

The H1N1, or swine, flu is a strain of the influenza A virus known for its rapid spread and severe symptoms, especially in young people and pregnant women. While many prepare themselves to endure another seasonal flu season, there are several key differences that make the H1N1 virus more severe than most seasonal flu viruses.

Symptoms

• Compared with most seasonal flu viruses, the H1N1 virus is more commonly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea and vomiting.

Virus Transmission

• The H1N1 virus seems to spread more rapidly and easily than season flu viruses. This is due to the H1N1 virus living longer on surfaces.

Illness Duration

• While the average case of seasonal flu lasts around a week, the H1N1 flu can last up to two weeks.

Contagiousness

• Those with the seasonal flu are generally considered to no longer be contagious 24 hours after they no longer have a fever. However, those with the swine flu are no longer contagious after their cough has subsided, not necessarily after their fever has, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A Novel Virus

• The swine flu virus also is called a novel virus, meaning it is genetically different from other viruses. Another difference is that many people do not have antibodies built up against the virus because it is a new form.