Because the swine flu virus is a type A influenza virus (which is also the type of influenza virus responsible for the standard human flu), the symptoms of swine flu are very similar to those of human flu. The symptoms of swine flu are body aches, chills, cough, fatigue, fever, headache and sore throat.

If you begin to display one or more of the symptoms of swine flu, it is recommended that you visit a health professional. The reason that you should visit a health professional once you exhibit one or more of the symptoms of swine flu is because if the health professional you visit concludes that you have been infected with the swine flu virus, they may be able to give you an antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs (such as oseltamivir or zanamivir) can help you in several ways. First, they can stop the swine flu virus from reproducing in your body (which can help fight it off). Second, they can lessen the severity of your symptoms and reduce the amount of time before you feel better. Finally, they can help you avoid the more serious complications that can accompany the swine flu virus. However, because these types of drugs are most effective when someone with the swine flu virus starts taking them within two days of exhibiting one or more of the swine flu symptoms, it is important to visit your health professional as soon as possible.

In addition to the symptoms listed above, there are additional symptoms which can signify more serious cases of swine flu. Those symptoms are listed below:

In children: bluish skin color, irritability to the point of a child refusing to be held, fever combined with a rash, difficulty breathing (or faster than normal breathing), failure to drink enough fluids, an improvement in the primary flu symptoms listed above (only to have the symptoms return with a worsened cough and fever) or a failure to interact and/or wake up.

In adults: confusion, a sudden onset of dizziness, trouble breathing (or a shortness of breath), severe vomiting that persists or pressure and/or pain in the abdomen or chest.

If a child or adult exhibits one or more of these more serious swine flu symptoms, it is vital that they seek immediate medical attention.

Since the swine flu virus is currently being spread from one human to another, it is important to learn how this takes place. When a person comes into contact with someone who has the swine flu virus, it can be spread through an event such as a cough or a sneeze. It is also important to understand that the swine flu virus can be spread from someone up to a day before they even exhibit any symptoms of having the swine flu virus.

In addition to direct transmission from one human to another, the swine flu virus can also be spread when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes on a surface, and then another person touches that surface and then touches their own face.

Not only should you avoid individuals who have the swine flu virus, but you should also wash your hands with warm water and soap on a regular basis (using an alcohol based hand sanitizer such as Purell or Germ-X can also help you protect yourself when you are unable to use warm water and soap).