Swine Flu is a type of influenza that is caused by the H1N1 virus.  Though it is just like any other seasonal flu, the reason why Swine Flu has become pandemic is because most of us have not developed immunity towards it.  The HI1NI virus is the same that infects the respiratory tract of pigs and results in bouts of cough, diminished appetite and lethargy. Swine Flu is very contagious and can spread from one person to the other through sneezing or coughing by the person who is infected.

Swine flu symptoms:

1. High fever: High fever, though a symptom of swine flu and seasonal flu, may not necessarily appear always in Swine Flu cases
2. Runny nose or stuffed nose
3. Chills
4. Headache: Persistent headache
5. Fatigue or extreme lethargy
6. Sore throat
7. Body Aches

Swine flu symptoms found especially in children:

• 1. Skin color developing  a bluish, grayish tint
  2. Severe and continuous vomiting and diarrhea
  3. Rapid breathing or having trouble while breathing
  4. Dehydration
  5. Irritable nature
  6. Flu like symptoms in the form of fever and persistent cough

In serious cases of swine flu, it has been observed that people develop acute breathing problems and pneumonia too.

The high risk group for Swine flu includes:

1. Pregnant women: Pregnant women have low immunity in general which is why the chances of contracting the disease is more
2. Children who are under three years of age
3. Adults and children with obesity problems
4. People with chronic problems in the form of asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases etc

Concerns about swine flu:

• It has been observed through general trends and research that fifty percent of victims who have died from swine flu are under 25 years of age.
• The most common cause of death in swine flu is in through respiratory failure.  Other causes of deaths include pneumonia, dehydration, high fever, and electrolyte imbalance.
• The confirmed figures of worldwide deaths through Swine Flu in the year 2009 are 13,277 and there has been a 4 percent increased in the recorded deaths in the last 7 days.
• Though antiviral medication like oseltamivir and zanamivir are prescribed for high risk group, indiscriminate use of such medicines can pave the way for new drug resistant strains to appear, which would make it even tougher to fight the pandemic.