2009 H1N1 influenza virus

The 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, is an influenza A virus, first discovered in April 2009, which contains human, porcine and avian genes.(1) Although it contains genes normally found in North American swine, it also contains two genes found in European and Asian swine.(2) Those infected with the H1N1 virus report symptoms similar to those observed in most influenza A viral infections, namely fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and a significant fraction of those afflicted report diarrhea and vomiting. It may cause severe illness and death. Although seasonal influenza normally affects certain populations, including young children, people over 65 years of age, pregnant women, and the chronically ill, population related risks are yet to be determined for this virus. The virus is contagious so common health care precautions should be taken to avoid contracting this flu.

Food, Water and Reacreation

One can not become infected by the swine flu from eating properly cooked pork products. Based on previous studies of the H5N1 avian flu, it is expected that chlorine levels used in municipal water supplies should be sufficient to kill the H1N1 virus. Likewise, properly treated water at swimming pools, spas, water parks, interactive fountains, and other treated recreational water venues should be free of the virus. The virus is contagious so common health care precautions should be taken to avoid contracting this flu.

References

(1) NCBI list of deposited sequences for 2009 H1N1 (2) Swine Flu & You