The swine flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, first appeared in the United States in April of 2009. It hasn’t left nor does it appear to be. It looks like it is a virus that will be among us for years while it continues to sweep the globe.

Despite the rumors and what you might think, the virus is a human disease that is transferred from one person to another not from pigs. Studies have shown that the virus among pigs is actually much difference than the swine flu virus among humans.

With swine flu, the symptoms that you experience are very similar to the same symptoms that you experience when you are coming down with the regular seasonal flu. For example, you’ll likely experience a high fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, runny nose, chills, headaches, as well as fatigue. Some that become infected with the H1N1 swine flu virus also experience diarrhea and vomiting.

The most important thing to understand with the swine flu virus is that you cannot determine whether or not you have the swine flu simply based off of your symptoms and neither can your doctor. Tests are required in order to determine whether you have swine flu.

As you know, deaths and severe illnesses have occurred due to the swine flu virus. Younger children and the elderly are more at risk of developing long-term serious illnesses and could experience death. If at any time you start coming down with flu-like symptoms, get to the doctor immediately to be tested for the swine flu. It may not seem as big of a deal now as it did a year ago, but it is still lurking in the air and will still have the same remnants if not properly medicated.

Final tip: If the vaccination has improved this year, get it!