Swine flu is a respiratory disease and has some elements of a virus found in pigs. There is no evidence of this disease circulating in pigs in the UK and scientists are investigating its origins.

Swine flu has been confirmed in a number of countries it is spreading from human to human and has now become a pandemic flu outbreak.

Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu because it's a new flu virus that appears in humans and spreads very quickly from person to person worldwide. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is closely monitoring cases of swine flu globally.

Because swine flu is a new virus, no one will have immunity to it and everyone could be at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well as older people, young children and those with existing medical conditions.

Symptoms

It is likely that the signs and symptoms of swine flu will be the same as for ordinary flu but may be more severe and cause more serious complications. The most significant symptoms are the sudden onset of:

• Fever
• Cough or shortness of breath

Other symptoms may include:

Further information

• Find out more about the symptoms of Swine Flu

If you think you may have swine flu, use the NHS Symptom Checker or call the NHS Pandemic Flu helpline on 0800 151 3513 (England).

For more information about swine flu visit NHS Choices or the National Pandemic Flu website.

• How to help prevent the spread of Swine Flu