Swine flu: Your questions answered
Q: What's swine flu?
A: Swine flu is a respiratory infection in pigs which rarely affects humans. The new strain - H1N1 - is different in that it has spread to humans.
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People wearing protective face masks stand outside a hospital in Toluca, Mexico. A fatal strain of swine flu has been detected in Mexico and experts fear it could become a global epidemic
Q: How is the virus transmitted?
A: This new strain requires no contact with pigs and can be passed from human to human.
Q: Why is it affecting people?
A: Humans have no immunity to the virus and more than 100 people have died so far.
Q: Who is most at risk?
A: It appears to attack people aged between 25 and 45 - as happened in previous pandemics.
Q: What are the symptoms?
A: Flu-like. Fever, tiredness, loss of appetite.
Q: What's a pandemic?
A: A pandemic is declared when a serious infection spreads over several countries and affects large sections of the population.
Q: How can you stop it spreading?
A: Experts suggest the best way to stop infection is by covering the mouth when sneezing, throwing away used tissues and regularly washing your hands.
Q: What treatments are available?
A: Anti-viral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza can be used to treat swine flu, although a vaccine against H1N1 could take months to develop.
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by Lloyd, Knightsbridge
Monday, April 27 2009, 4:02PM
“Sounds like i have hit the nail on head judging by some of these comments.
Katy of ull you must have swineflu i would get checked out if i was you!
Alf Beverley you must have had enough of these hull folk ransacking everywhere, i will have to look up thieving flu in the dictionary as it seems hull might have this pandemic within its population!”
by Gordon The, Gopher
Monday, April 27 2009, 3:57PM
“Sophie wind your neck in!
Stories are on here for whoever wants to comment! Are you against freedom of speech! its like when rugby league stories are on here and city fans start putting silly comments and vice versa, Thats what the comments facility is for!”
by Sophie, Hull
Monday, April 27 2009, 3:43PM
“I thought the comments on here were supposed to be about the story above - Swine Flue. Not who lives in the best area... "My estate is better than your's". Whats next - "My dad is bigger than your dad"?”
by Katy, 'Ull
Monday, April 27 2009, 3:42PM
“Alf, Bev....Im gonna nick your car and set it alight outside your house! Then im gonna stone your windows.”
by veronica, hull
Monday, April 27 2009, 3:35PM
“Alf Beverley,there is a lot of difference in the sizes of the estates in Hull ,and the ones in Beverley,and you have plenty on asbos,so look to your own yobbos before you start blaming the people of Hull.”
by Alf, Beverley
Monday, April 27 2009, 2:35PM
“Cherry tree estate is nothing compared to the likes of orchard park, Nth hull, Bransholme Bilton grange, Hessle road! So Get a grip and stay out!”
by Steve, Ull
Monday, April 27 2009, 2:18PM
“Alf, Beverley There is enough scum in Beverley already have you seen what its like on Cherry Tree estate”
by veronica, hull
Monday, April 27 2009, 2:04PM
“Alf Beverley,you have enough scum already in Beverley without blaming hull for it.”
by Alf, Beverley
Monday, April 27 2009, 1:16PM
“Lloyd knightsbridge you have a point, Hopefully if swineflu hits hull it will get rid of the wino`s car thieves muggers dole scroungers, shoplifters, And drug addicts first, As we are right next door to hull and us lot at beverely seem to be the target for these gangs! coming here!”
by Julie, Hull
Monday, April 27 2009, 12:06PM
“Lloyd, Knightsbridge - why do you bother reading the HDM if you can only make rude remarks. Have a bit of respect.”