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Background: What is A/H1N1 virus?
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Source: CCTV.com | 05-03-2009 15:34
Special Report: World tackles A/H1N1 fluChina's Health Ministry has offered a clear definition of the A/H1N1 virus, which originated in Mexico and has spread around the world.
The current cases involve the H1N1 strain of the Type A influenza virus.
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| A microbiologist tests samples for Influenza A (H1N1), formerly referred to as swine flu, at the Dallas Department of Health and Human Services laboratory in Dallas, Texas May 1, 2009. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi |
It is a mixture of human, pig and bird strains, and is different from previous influenza viruses.
It can be transmitted from person to person, and the incubation period is between one day to a week, which is longer than seasonal flu or Bird Flu.
The early symptoms of A/H1N1 flu are similar to those of seasonal flu, and include fever, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and headache.
Other symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and red eyes.
The effects of the A/H1N1 virus can develop quickly, with some patients experiencing high fever, serious pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage, renal failure and Reye Syndrome. These can lead to death.
Editor:Zhang Pengfei
