H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)

What Is H1N1 Flu?

H1N1 flu, sometimes called swine flu, is an infection caused by a new kind of influenza virus that spreads from one person to another. In 2009, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an outbreak of this new strain of flu in Mexico, the United States, and other countries. The virus that causes this type of flu is the H1N1 virus.

When you have H1N1 flu, you may feel tired and achy and have a sore throat, a fever, and a cough. Most of the time, the illness is not serious. But severe cases can lead to pneumonia, serious lung problems, and death. If you have another health problem, H1N1 flu can make it worse.

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Author:	Deborah Dakins	Last Updated: August 25, 2009
Medical Review:	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Christine Hahn, MD - Epidemiology W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
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