Swineflu,alsoknownasH1N1influenza,isarespiratorydiseasecausedbyavirusthatoriginallyinfectedpigs.Itcanspreadfromanimalstohumansandbetweenpeople.Thesymptomsaresimilartoregularflu,includingfever,cough,sorethroat,andbodyaches.The2009H1N1pandemicshowedhowquicklythisviruscanspreadglobally.Topreventinfection,peopleshouldwashhandsfrequently,covercoughs,andavoidclosecontactwithsickindividuals.Vaccinesarealsoavailableinmanycountriestoprotectagainstswineflu.Publichealthmeasuresplayanimportantroleincontrollingoutbreaksofthisdisease.
