Swine Flu - Mode of Transmission and Symptoms

How does H1N1 Virus spread?

Spread of novel H1N1 virus occurs in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from Person to Person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by Touching an Infected Surface....something such as a surface or object with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

This virus is transmitted between persons primarily through large-particle respiratory droplet transmission (e.g., when an infected person coughs or sneezes near a susceptible person). Transmission via these large-particle droplets requires close contact between source and recipient persons because droplets do not remain suspended in the air and generally travel only a short distance (< 6 feet).

Contact with contaminated surfaces is another possible source of transmission and transmission via small-droplet nuclei (also called “airborne” transmission) might also occur, but the contribution of these modes of transmission to influenza epidemiology is uncertain. Because data on the transmission of novel H1N1 viruses are limited, the potential for ocular, conjunctival, or gastrointestinal infection is unknown.

Since this is a novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in humans, transmission from infected persons to close contacts might be common. All respiratory secretions and bodily fluids (diarrheal stool) of novel influenza A (H1N1) cases should be considered potentially infectious.

Signs and Symptoms of H1N1 Virus in Humans

The symptoms of novel H1N1 Flu Virus in people include

1. Fever
2. Cough
3. Sore Throat
4. Runny or Stuffy Nose
5. Body Aches
6. Headache
7. Chills
8. Fatigue
9. Diarrhea and Vomiting (in some cases)