Swine Flu Effects

The "swine flu," as it is referred to in popular media, refers to the 2009 H1N1 virus, which, early on, seemed to be a swine flu, but turned out to have genes from swine, human and avian influenza viruses. It's an H1N1 influenza type A virus, but since there are other influenza H1N1 viruses, health officials refer to this new kind of virus as the 2009 H1N1 virus. When the virus emerged, it sickened and killed people, and quickly hopped international borders. By June 2009, the World Health Organization labeled the 2009 H1N1 virus a pandemic.

Severity of Effect

• Some people who have contracted the 2009 H1N1 virus have become severely ill---even died---while others have only suffered mild illness.

Effects of the Illness

• The 2009 H1N1 virus causes respiratory problems. Symptoms include fever, cough, congestion, a runny nose, headache, fatigue and chills. Some people, especially the young, might suffer diarrhea or vomiting. Not everyone has every symptom.

Effect on Public Places

• An outbreak of the 2009 H1N1 virus will likely cause closures at places like schools in an effort to contain the virus.

Effects on At-risk Populations

• The effects of the 2009 swine flu on people with certain medical issues, including those who are pregnant, have heart conditions, asthma, diabetes, have been more severe than other populations. According to the CDC, 70 percent of those hospitalized with the 2009 H1N1 virus have been such individuals.

Effect on Communities

• The swine flu will be the cause of epidemics in communities, since it is a type A influenza, which annually circulates during seasonal flu season. As of September 2009, the 2009 H1N1 is the dominant virus circulating around the world.