Acute illness of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza A virus. This is more virulent than the common flu due to changes that has suffered in its composition (antigenic variation).
The virus is transmitted through coughing and sneezing by infected people. It can also be transmitted via personal contacts or through contaminated objects.
Symptoms are similar to those of the common flu, with headache, low-grade fever, chills, myalgia, general malaise together with a cough and pharyngitis.
Diagnosis is reached through medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. There are specific laboratory tests to detect the H1N1 flu virus.
Symptoms must be treated and, in the most severe cases, a specific antiviral therapy (oseltamivir or zanamivir) is used.
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