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Swine flu explained

NHS Choices has teamed up with iVillage.co.uk to tackle the most important and frequently asked questions about swine flu

What is swine flu?
Swine flu is the common name that has been given to a new strain of influenza. It is called swine flu because it is thought to have originated in pigs, but this is not known for certain.

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may be more severe and cause more serious complications.

The typical symptoms are:

• sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above), and
  
• sudden cough.

Other symptoms may include:

• headache
• tiredness,
• chills,
• aching muscles,
• limb or joint pain,
• diarrhoea or stomach upset,
• sore throat,
• runny nose,
• sneezing, and
• loss of appetite.

Is swine flu treatable?
Most people who have contracted swine flu recover within a week and do not suffer complications, even without being given antiviral medication. However, experts point out that as this is a new virus its behaviour cannot be predicted with certainty.

Swine flu is different from seasonal flu in that most serious illnesses have been in younger age groups. A doctor faced with a symptomatic patient cannot yet predict with certainty the course of their illness and whether or not they will be in the small proportion who may become more seriously ill. This is why antiviral medication is still being given to all those with swine flu in the UK, subject to their doctor's discretion.

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