Exactly What Causes the H1N1 Virus

Swine flu is just another form of the common flu, although this virus strain is normally identified with pigs.

The latest swine flu virus that has affected a lot of people and a lot of countries is however of a different kind, as it shows a combination of viruses previously seen in people, birds and pigs.

No one really gets a warning before being infected by the flu virus. But just like most illnesses, the swine flu virus is caused by factors that people should be aware of, so they can avoid the flu like the plague.

The respiratory tract plays a significant role in the transmission of the flu virus. Coughing and sneezing can transmit infected bodily fluids from one person to another, and this is being eyed as the mode of transmission of the new H1N1 virus. This is a far cry from the common notion that the virus is caused by eating pork.

World Health Organization official Keiji Fukuda said the spread of the virus has not been linked with eating pork or with close contact with pigs.

Caused by a Virus

Doctors have confirmed that a virus is causing the swine flu outbreak. In particular, it is the influenza H1N1 virus strain which is causing the infection. The letter H and N refers to the proteins on the virus which distinguishes a specific virus from the other subtypes.

While the world is not new to the influenza virus, the old virus has mutated and has changed its genes. The new swine flu virus is capable of being transmitted from person to person and is contagious. A person who has been infected by the virus can already infect others even before he develops the symptoms.

Mode of transmission

The virus is passed on from one person to another through coughing and sneezing. The germ which is released into the air can be transmitted to another person through the air they breathe and enter the body through the mouth, nose and eyes.

The virus can even be transmitted through ATM buttons, doorknobs and similar surfaces where the virus can rest. These hard surfaces can be a resting ground for the swine flu virus and when a person makes contact with this area, and then touches his eyes, nose or mouth, then the virus is transmitted.

Caused by pollution

There are also reports that the swine flu came as a result of water pollution, caused by a large hog processing company in the State of Veracruz in Perote, Mexico. A total of 27 million hogs are being slaughtered in this facility annually. The virus has travelled far and wide and has been detected in other countries and states including Australia, California and New York.

While the virus is commonly called swine flu, people are however cautioned against relating the virus to pigs and eating pork. For as long as meat products coming from pigs are cooked properly, it cannot infect people with the H1N1 flu virus. Knowing the swine flu causes is expected to improve the chances of mitigating the effects of the illness and in reducing the number of people infected by the virus.