Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is the Difference Between Swine Flu and Seasonal Flu?

Debra Durkee
Debra Durkee

The swine flu and seasonal flu can coexist during a flu season, but there are a number of differences between them, from how the virus spreads to how long it will be felt in those who contract it; there are also differences how the immune system reacts to them. Perhaps the most important difference is that seasonal flu can be counted on to infect the population at a relatively regular time, but there is no way of knowing when, where or how bad the swine flu will be.

One variety of influenza can be counted on to make yearly rounds throughout the population. Depending on the area, outbreaks of the seasonal flu occur with some kind of regularity; this predictability gives individuals time to be immunized as a preventative measure. When the swine flu suddenly mutated to make the jump from pigs to humans, health organizations were largely unprepared for it, as there was no way to predict the outbreak.

Pigs appear to act as reservoirs for the flu.
Pigs appear to act as reservoirs for the flu.

As the seasonal type of flu is so widespread, the human body has been able to develop some forms of antibodies to combat the infection. This immunity is not complete, and individuals usually develop a few days worth of symptoms; those who contract the swine flu, however, are exposed to a virus that has never been in the human population before. As it is a new disease, there are no natural resistances to it, and people are extremely vulnerable to all of the symptoms.

A sore throat caused by swine flu can be more severe and last longer than when caused by seasonal flu.
A sore throat caused by swine flu can be more severe and last longer than when caused by seasonal flu.

Symptoms of the swine flu and seasonal flu are similar and consist of the same body aches, fever, cough and sore throat. In the swine flu, however, these symptoms are more debilitating; last longer; and can more commonly include gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Children are more prone to suffering complications from both types of the flu, while the elderly are actually less susceptible to catching severe cases of the swine flu.

The symptoms of swine flu often mimic those associated with seasonal influenza.
The symptoms of swine flu often mimic those associated with seasonal influenza.

There is also a difference in where the swine flu and seasonal flu originate. The virus that causes the seasonal flu is a human one, which means that it circulates mainly through the human population. Swine flu develops in pigs when a single animal contracts more than one type of flu, such as a swine flu and a human flu virus. When these viruses are present in the same animal at the same time, they can undergo a mutation that will allow them to spread through either species. As the swine flu and seasonal flu have such different origins, there are different vaccinations that are available to fight each type of flu.

Discussion Comments

SteamLouis

One other difference between the two types of flu is that swine flu is more difficult to diagnose because it requires a specialized test. The patient's DNA has to be checked, it's not enough to test saliva. When there is a swine flu epidemic though, doctors usually don't bother with the DNA testing and automatically treat it as swine flu.

candyquilt

@stoneMason-- The article explained it well. It's not that swine flu is more serious than seasonal flu. It's just that most people have not been exposed to it before. So the immune system has a more difficult time fighting it. Most of us have had seasonal flu, probably countless times, so our immune system is better at fighting the seasonal flu virus.

I do suspect though, in the future, most people will have been exposed to swine flu at some point. So swine flu and seasonal flu will be more difficult to distinguish.

stoneMason

I had swine flu in 2010 when it was very common and one out of five people had it. I don't know if it's still as common, I haven't had it since then. But I can say that I don't remember being so sick before. I've had seasonal flu after this incident, in fact, I had one recently and I was better after a week. But the swine flu had me in bed for a month and I coughed so much that I didn't get sleep for days on end. I had fatigue, muscle aches, no appetite and a fever.

I don't know if everyone will experience swine flu as badly, but it seems to me that swine flu tends to be more serious than seasonal flu. It causes more symptoms and it takes longer to get better.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Pigs appear to act as reservoirs for the flu.
      By: Anatolii
      Pigs appear to act as reservoirs for the flu.
    • A sore throat caused by swine flu can be more severe and last longer than when caused by seasonal flu.
      By: absolutimages
      A sore throat caused by swine flu can be more severe and last longer than when caused by seasonal flu.
    • The symptoms of swine flu often mimic those associated with seasonal influenza.
      By: emde71
      The symptoms of swine flu often mimic those associated with seasonal influenza.
    • While seasonal flu is relatively predictable, there is no way to predict when, where or how bad the swine flu will be.
      By: Zsolt Biczó
      While seasonal flu is relatively predictable, there is no way to predict when, where or how bad the swine flu will be.
    • Pregnant women are more susceptible to contracting the swine flu.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      Pregnant women are more susceptible to contracting the swine flu.