Swine flu is one of the most famous diseases that exist. It is caused by more than one types of swine viruses and in 2009 provoked a world pandemic. It is also known as: swine influenza, pig influenza, hog flu and pig flu. Although it is called like this it also makes sick people, dogs, horses and birds. There are treatments for the flu and there are also vaccines. If you do not plan to have one of the vaccines, it is very important to know all the signs of it. The swine flu symptoms can be observed on people and swine, too.

In swine, the flu has similar signs as in people. Pigs may suffer of fever and lethargy. They may also have trouble breathing and, like people, they may sneeze and cough. In females, the virus can produce abortion. The mortality rate of the flu in swine is of maximum 4%, but the pigs may be affected. They can suffer weight loss and they can have growing difficulties. For farmers, this is a real problem, causing a huge loss. In a period of less than a month since getting sick, a pig can lose about 12 pounds. Even if swine do not die because of the flu, they are affected and those that grow them to sell them, even more.

In humans, the swine flu symptoms are very similar to those of regular flu. The virus can be transmitted directly from swine to humans and in such cases, it is named zoonotic swine flu. Since the first report of this type of flu in medical literature, in 1958, there were 50 cases in which people contracted the flu directly from the pigs. From 50 cases, 6 of them were deadly, people dying because of swine flu. From these 6, 3 had a high risk, as a woman was pregnant and two other people had leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The other three were apparently healthy when they died because of the flu. The signs of illness include fever, a runny nose and a sore throat, which are specific. Nausea and vomiting may also be present, together with coughing. The lack of appetite and the fatigue is typical in cases of swine flu and the stomach may also be hurt, causing diarrhea. It is very important to know the symptoms of this flu, so you can be able to go straight to a doctor if you suspect something is wrong.