Human 'swine flu' case: how can you tell H1N2 from a cold, seasonal flu or Covid?

Nov. 30, 2023 - PRLog -- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed a British person has contracted a new strain of so-called 'swine flu' – influenza A (H1N2)v. It's the first detection of this strain of flu ever found in a human in the UK, although it is similar to flu viruses currently circulating in British pigs.

The concern is that the patient is not known to have worked with pigs. Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: 'It's known this specific strain of swine flu can be passed from ill pigs to humans, but it would be rare for the H1N2 strain to be passed from human to human without initial exposure to pigs. The fact that the patient, who lives in North Yorkshire, has no known contact with infected animals is leading to a wider investigation.

'Influenza A (H1N2)v is very different to the influenza A H1N1/09 strain of swine flu that killed 457 people in the UK back in 2009/10. Even so, close contacts of the patient are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations.

'For this reason, we recommend people who become unwell consider being tested, particularly if they have had direct or indirect exposure to pigs or contaminated environments.

'In humans, the symptoms of swine flu to look out for include:

• a high temperature
• a cough
• a runny nose
• body aches
• chills
• sneezing

'However, these symptoms are very similar to seasonal flu and also some strains of Covid-19 and to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), the latter producing cold-like symptoms but generally not a high temperature.

'Other symptoms of swine flu may include:

• loss of appetite
• vomiting
• diarrhoea

'All of these viruses, including swine flu, display very similar initial symptoms to the common cold, but these symptoms may quickly escalate. For this reason alone, many people will want the peace of mind a test result can bring, ensuring they are not endangering anyone in their family this festive season.

'The revolutionary Covid, RSV and flu A and B, 4-in-1 PCR Test can be taken at one of over 95 selected pharmacies, drop-in clinics and health stores nationwide or, for convenience, at home through the post. For full details, see: https://www.privatecoronavirustests.com/product/4-in-1-flu