How Is Swine Flu Different From Seasonal Flu?

Illness caused due to influenza virus is known as flu.^(1,3) Flu multiplies inside the body causing the symptoms of fever and sore throat. The seasonal flu virus changes very less every year; and therefore people have resistance to it.

Swine flu is caused by influenza virus with a completely different type, i.e. the H1N1 strain.⁽²⁾ There is change in the H1N1 strains every year, making people more susceptible to the swine flu.

Both types of flu are accompanied by a fever, runny nose and dry (non-productive) hacking cough. There are differences in the symptoms, which affect the severity of the flu.

6 Ways In Which Swine Flu Is Different From Seasonal Flu:

Swine Flu: The aches and pains of swine flu are severe. These pains bring in lot of discomfort in swine flu.

Seasonal Flu: Whereas, moderate body pains are experienced if suffering from seasonal flu.

Chills: Most of the people suffering from swine flu experience chills, while in seasonal flu only mild chills are felt.

Swine Flu: Sneezing is not a common symptom of swine flu.

Seasonal Flu: While in seasonal flu, the patient suffers from frequent sneezing.⁽⁴⁾

Swine Flu: Swine flu has a sudden onset of symptoms.⁽⁵⁾ The patient experiences sudden symptoms, such as high fever, aches and chills. Diarrhea and vomiting are common symptoms present when suffering from swine flu.⁽⁶⁾ Due to this, there is loss of body fluids, which can lead to symptoms of dehydration in swine flu, which complicates the illness.

Seasonal Flu: In seasonal flu, the symptoms set in within few days, with the patient experiencing a flushed face, loss of appetite, dizziness and nausea. The symptoms of seasonal flu last for 4-7 days.

Swine Flu: Headache is a very common symptom found in all suffering from swine flu ^(7).

Seasonal Flu: In seasonal flu, headache may or may not be present.

Swine Flu: A patient suffering from swine flu need not necessarily gets a sore throat.

Seasonal Flu: Whereas, a sore throat is common in the patient suffering from seasonal flu.⁽¹⁾

Swine Flu: In swine flu, chest discomfort is very severe.^(8,9)

Seasonal Flu: In seasonal flu, chest discomfort is not common, and if present is just moderate. If, in case you experience a severe chest pain, consult a doctor immediately.

• Most people recover from the symptoms of the flu without any treatment. If at high risk or complication of swine flu, do not delay medical advice.
• Few precautions if taken can prevent you from getting the swine flu infection and also preventing its spread.⁽¹⁰⁾
• Cover nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing and throw the tissue after use.⁽¹¹⁾
• Wash hands with soap, especially after a cough or sneeze. You can also use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, as it can lead to spread of germs.⁽¹¹⁾
• Wear a face mask, which keeps the nose and mouth covered and prevents the spread of the disease if you are around other people.⁽¹¹⁾
• Stay home during the period of illness.⁽¹¹⁾
• Swine flu can prove to be fatal; therefore one should never ignore the complications and seek medical advice if any symptoms cause a lot of discomfort.

References: