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How is swine flu different from other types of flu that come around every year?
57 yr old, Female
asked Sep 01, 2009 at 03:13PM in Infectious Diseases
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1Votesanswered Sep 02, 2009 at 01:38PMThe influenza virus comes in three types: A, B, and C. Within each type is a subtype or "strain". Each strain is different from one another by their genetic make-up. There are different strains from year-to-year because the the genes in the virus shift and drift. A shift is a slight change in the genetic makeup. However, this is enough to make the virus appear a little bit different to our immune system. A drift, on the other hand, is a larger change in the genetic makeup of the virus. So that virus looks completely different to our immune system. This drift occurred in swine flu when a type A virus combined its genetic makeup with another type A that had swine flu genes in it, and another type A virus that had seasonal flu in it. So now we have this "shifted" virus that is new to our immune system.
That said, it is not new to our medical technology and to what we know about the flu. Sure, we don't have natural immunity for it because we have not been exposed to viruses that are similar, but we still have medications (and a vaccine soon) that will help mitigate its effects. -
0Votesanswered Sep 09, 2009 at 05:07AMFever:Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing: A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches:Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose:Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills:Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness: Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing: Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms:Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache: A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat:Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort:Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
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The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified health professional.
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