SWINE FLU Vs. SEASONAL FLU

The flu is a virus. There are two main types of virus; type A and type B. Both types are referred to as human influenza viruses because they are spread in people and account for seasonal flu outbreaks every year. Like other viruses the influenza virus can mutate from season to season, year to year. This mutation is termed "antigenic drift." Both type A and type B virus experience antigenic drift. What happens with antigenic drift is that over time changes in the virus occur and a new strain of the virus develops. Antibodies that an individual had from the old virus can no longer protect them from the new stronger strain and a new vaccine must be developed. This is why some people will can get the flu more than once a year. It is not the same strain of flu but one that has changed or mutated. Because of the ever changing virus vaccines are updated continually. This is why people must receive flu vaccines each year.

The type A virus can also be affected by another change. This second change is called antigenic shift. What happens with antigenic shift is that a dramatic quick change occurs to the influenza A virus. This is what happened with the "swineflu". The Influenza A virus developed from a combination of human and animal influenza viruses. Because this was a dramatic shift, like an earthquake, and the swine flu was so different from the seasonal flu most people did not have the necessary antibodies to fight the swine flu which is now being called H1N1.

Whether swine or seasonal the flu can have a fatal outcome for anyone with a compromised immune system. People who suffer from asthma or other respiratory ailments should always get a flu shot as should the elderly and very young. This year it will be necessary to get a flu shot for the seasonal flu and one for the swine flu. There are other measures to help protect ourselves. Be sure to cover mouth when sneezing or coughing, wash hands frequently, avoid sick people whenever possible and if you yourself are sick stay away from others.