Swine flu is the common name given to a new strain of influenza (flu). It is called swine flu because it is thought to have originated in pigs, but this is not certain.

The most common symptoms are a fever, sore throat, diarrhea, headache, feeling generally unwell and a dry cough. In other words, the symptoms are very similar to seasonal (regular) flu. Most people recover within a week, even without special treatment.

The virus was first identified in Mexico in April 2009. It has since become a pandemic, which means it has spread around the globe. It has spread quickly because it is a new type of flu virus that few, if any, people have full resistance to.

Flu pandemics are a natural event that occur from time to time. Last century, there were flu pandemics in 1918, 1957 and 1968, when millions of people died across the world.

In most cases the virus has proved relatively mild. However, around the world more than 1,700 people have died and it is not yet clear how big a risk the virus is. For this reason, and because all viruses can mutate to become more potent (stronger), scientists are saying we need to be careful.

Some people are more at risk of complications if they catch swine flu, and need to start taking antivirus as soon as it is confirmed that they have the illness. Doctors may advise some high-risk patients to take antivirus before they have symptoms, if someone close to them has swine flu. People at risk are:

* patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years,

* pregnant women,

* people aged 65 and over, and

* children under five.

The most important way is to have good respiratory and hand hygiene. In other words, always sneeze in to a tissue, and quickly put it in a bin. Wash your hands and home and work surfaces regularly and thoroughly to kill the virus.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx