Symptoms of Swine Flu: Case of Infection with the Virus in the UK – Signs Including Coughs and Headaches

Swine flu is caused by a strain of virus, known as the H1N1 virus, the NHS said. Its scientific name is Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09. It looks like normal flu, more common, but the symptoms tend to be more serious and can be fatal. A swine flu epidemic was first reported in June 2009 after the discovery of the virus in Mexico. The pandemic, which hit the UK in April 2009, subsequently killed 457 people. Now, the number of swine flu cases in England has reached a peak of the flu season this year, it was revealed.

According to Public Health England (PHE), the number of people hospitalized for swine flu between January 20th and 27th – the latest figures – was 210.

This is the highest number of H1N1-related hospitalizations since the start of the influenza season in early October 2018.

The second highest number of recorded hospitalizations was 185 compared to the previous week.

Sixty-nine of the latest swine flu patients were subsequently admitted to an intensive care unit, PHE added.

Since the beginning of this year's flu season, 953 people have been admitted to hospital for swine flu in England.

A total of 131 people died of all types of flu in the same period, he added.

Richard Pebody, head of the influenza at PHE, said: "The flu continues to circulate, although some early signs indicate that activity is at its peak.

"To prevent the spread of the flu, it is important to practice good respiratory hygiene and hands and to avoid close contact with other people if you have flu symptoms."

The symptoms of swine flu seem similar to those of "normal" flu, but they can be more serious, warned pharmacist Jakemans, Marvin Munzu.

This is because the virus infects the lungs more deeply than normal flu, he said.

Common symptoms of swine flu include coughing, sore throat, watery eyes, headache, fatigue and nausea.

Swine flu is also more likely to cause diarrhea and vomiting than normal flu, he added.

"Most swine flu strains are covered by annual flu shots that you can get from your doctor or the nearest pharmacy," Munzu said.

"There are other ways to recover from the flu, such as resting and sleeping, keep warm, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower the temperature and drink plenty of water to avoid the dehydration.

If you think you have the flu, you do not necessarily need to see a doctor, the Mayo Clinic added.

However, you should consult a doctor or call the NHS 111 if you think you have the flu while having a chronic illness, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.