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Can you get swine flu more than once?
61 yr old, Female
asked Jan 14, 2010 at 09:55AM in Infectious Diseases
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2Votes
answered Jan 14, 2010 at 12:23PMThe body produces antibodies against H1N1 (Swine flu) naturally on contact with the virus or when an individual is vaccinated against H1N1 (Acquired Immunity). The body after mounting a defense against this virus and fighting this virus, also produces immune cells which will always remember this strain, H1N1. So the next time this virus passes the barriers of the body and enters the body, these immune cells remember this strain quickly, and a strong, more defined and well co-ordinated response will occur.
Now, sometimes the virus mutates and the body does not recognize that strain and no strong reaction occurs. This sometimes happens at times during pandemics, when lots of people have been affected and the virus is widespread. This is one of the main reasons there are yearly, seasonal vaccinations for 'flu'.
Now, it is highly unlikely for a person to be re-infected with the 2009 H1N1 ( swine flu) virus, but it is Possible.
There have been three(3) confirmed cases of reinfection with H1N1 in Chile
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20031070
A good article on 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) (Swine Flu) in medpedia below;
http://wiki.medpedia.com/Swine_Influenza -
2Votes
answered Jan 14, 2010 at 02:16PMIt's possible to be infected with the 2009 influenza H1N1 strain (or any influenza virus strain) more than once. The most likely scenario is contacting the virus soon after the first infection, before the antibody (protective) response has had a chance to mature - usually 4 weeks. It's more likely that this occurs during a pandemic, when viruses are circulating extensively. This often happens in hospital; see http://www.virology.ws/2009/12/28/reinfection-with-2009-influenza-h1n1/. But reinfection is rare, especially with seasonal strains where circulation is less extensive than with pandemic strains. -
1Votesanswered Feb 09, 2010 at 03:14PMIt is possible to have had swine flu plus a different severe viral infection, which appears to be swine flu but isn't caused by A/H1N1. A different influenza virus or a different type of pathogen altogether can cause a similar presentation of symptoms.
I have seen patients who have presented with "swine flu" more than once over the past few months. Due to the processes in the UK, not all patients are being swabbed for a definitive diagnosis.
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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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