KANSAS CITY, Mo – With all the debate going on right now involving flu vaccines, symptoms, and prevention, we thought it was important to explain some of the differences between the two major flu strains out there: seasonal flu, and H1N1.
For instance: Although everyone is at risk of contracting both viruses, so far the number of cases and deaths reported from H1N1 are less among people over 64 years of age than that of the seasonal flu. Here are some other similarities and differences that might be helpful in knowing what to watch out for.
Seasonal flu...has an incubation of 24 hours to four days. It often comes with a dry cough, headache, fever, chills, muscle aches, pain in the eyes, and fatigue. A runny or stuffy nose is also common, as is a sore throat. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur, but are more common in children than adults. Despite what seems to be common belief, season flu
can be fatal.
Seasonal flu can be spread from person to person mainly through coughing and sneezing. Sometimes, but not often, a person can become infected by touching something with the virus on it, and then touching their nose or mouth.
People infected with the seasonal flu can spread the virus to others from 1 day before getting sick themselves, to 5 to 7 days after.
H1N1 (or swine flu)...has mostly the same symptoms, with the exception of an incubation period that is only 24 to 48 hours. Gastrointestinal problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are more common, as well.
The H1N1 virus is thought to spread the same way the seasonal flu spreads—through coughing, sneezing, and, occasionally, touching.
People infected with the H1N1 virus can also spread it from 1 day before to 5 to 7 days after being sick, although with H1N1 it could possibly be longer.
