H5N1 is a type of avian influenza virus (bird flu virus) that has mutated[1] through antigenic drift into dozens of highly pathogenic varieties, but all currently belonging to genotype Z of avian influenza virus H5N1. Genotype Z emerged through reassortment in 2002 from earlier highly pathogenic genotypes of H5N1[2] that first appeared in China in 1996 in birds and in Hong Kong in 1997 in humans[3]. The "H5N1 viruses from human infections and the closely related avian viruses isolated in 2004 and 2005 belong to a single genotype, often referred to as genotype Z." [1]

The avian influenza subtypes that have been confirmed in humans, ordered by the number of known human deaths, are: H1N1 caused Spanish flu, H2N2 caused Asian Flu, H3N2 caused Hong Kong Flu, H5N1, H7N7, H9N2, H7N2, H7N3, H10N7.

All avian influenza (AI) viruses are type A influenza virus in the virus family of Orthomyxoviridae and all known strains of influenza A virus infect birds. Influenzavirus type A is subdivided into subtypes based on hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) protein spikes from the central virus core. There are 16 H types, each with up to 9 N subtypes, yielding a potential for 144 different H and N combinations.

Avian influenza (also known as bird flu, avian flu, influenzavirus A flu, type A flu, or genus A flu) is a flu due to a type of influenza virus that is hosted by birds, but may infect several species of mammals.

An influenza pandemic is a large scale epidemic of the influenza virus, such as the 1918 Spanish flu. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that there is a substantial risk of an influenza pandemic within the next few years. One of the strongest candidates is the A(H5N1) subtype of avian influenza.

A myxovirus of the genus Influenzavirus, antigenically varying from influenza virus type A and influenza virus type C, that causes various respiratory illnesses in humans.

A myxovirus of the genus Influenzavirus, antigenically varying from influenza virus type B and influenza virus type C, that causes acute respiratory illness in humans.

Influenza caused by infection with a strain of influenza virus type C.

H1N1 or previously known as influenza A virus is a new disease first discovered in April 2009 among the people in Mexico, Canada and the United States that had caused many deaths. H1N1 virus has never spread among humans and is not related to any seasonal flu viruses. However, recent news had reported people infected with the virus will face great risk of death. The deadly virus spread from a person to another and can easily transmit as the normal seasonal flu. The virus can travel to another person with exposure to infected virus released by sneezing or coughing as human breathe by inhaling the air in the surrounding. The virus can also contaminate surfaces and hands. The symptoms and signs of a person infected with H1N1 virus are similar to flu with addition to headache, fever, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat and diarrhea as well as vomiting.

Seasonal flu and viruses attacks and changes every year but there are still many people with the immunity towards virus infection that keeps people from staying healthy. Certain countries do practice the usage of flu vaccines to reduce and cure sickness and deaths. However, H1N1 outbreak contains new virus that most people are not immune to thus resulting in an increased number of infections as compared to the normal seasonal influenza. The World Health Organization have been working closely with all related parties towards creating an effective and safe vaccine to cure this deadly disease but it will definitely take some time for the implementation before it can be rolled out to the people. The method of prevention of this disease have been given out to the people who are unwell to practice personal hygiene in terms of covering ones mouth and nose during coughing and sneezing, to wash hands often enough to kill germs and to stay indoor during these period to avoid contact with healthy people as much as possible.

H1N1 virus is highly contagious and spread fast enough among younger generation between 10 years to 45 years of age. The severity of this outbreak can indicate very minor symptoms to serious illnesses resulting in death. Most of the infected people in the beginning stage experienced minor discomfort and able to recover on its own without medical care or any kind of vaccines. Those who suffered from this virus in a serious condition will be hospitalized and monitored due to their weak immune systems. Many have reported that a person should seek a doctor's attention with immediate effect should they felt shortness of breath, having difficulty breathing or if they have had fever for more than 3 days consecutively. Parents with young children are advised to practice and be alerted on the possible symptoms so that immediate medical attention can be given soon enough to safe a child's life.

Anna has been writing articles online for nearly 3 years now. Not only she does her own research in healthcare, you can also check out her latest website on Discount Duvet Cover to find out more about discount duvet cover.

Have you or someone you know got Swine Flu? Would you know if they had it? Would you know what to do about it? You would have to be living on the moon to not have heard about Swine Flu, this potentially fatal flu has seen people panic, become fearful, paranoid and more. The best course of action to take of course is to get to know about it, become familiar (theoretically of course) with the flu's symptoms.

Symptoms Of Swine Flu

We know that flu (or influenza is the generic name) and that there are variants. The good news however is that broadly speaking all flu's exhibit similar symptoms. Well, I say good news, because it can be bad news too, or in the very least makes differentiation difficult.

Common to all flu's is fever, often with a body temperature exceeding 100 Fahrenheit or 38 Celsius. Other common symptoms include fatigue, a feeling of weakness, loss of appetite and possibly coughing and most certainly a loss of motivation to do simple tasks.

Other symptoms of swine flu can be; sore throat, diarrhea, sickness and nasal excretion.

You see, I told you the symptoms are similar to "regular flu" , the bottom line and most prudent action is to get you or anyone you know who has swine flu symptoms is to get checked out by a doctor.

At the first sign of symptoms you really must get a medical professional's opinion, write the symptoms down a piece of paper, in addition to when they first appeared. It's imperative you do so as if pneumonia sets in you could be in real trouble - Pneumonia is a complication you just do not want.

To learn more about the symptoms of swine flu and other Swine Flu Facts you really should read the latest guide which tells you The Truth about swine flu, information you won't get from the press or politicians but nevertheless it's info you NEED to know.

Swine Flu, H1N1 or the 2009 Influenza A Virus - no matter what you call this flu, you do not want to catch it this year. Since October 2008, the Center for Disease Control has characterized over 2,100 seasonal flu viruses and nearly 500 H1N1 flu cases in the United States of America. In just this last week, the CDC reported one influenza-associated pediatric death; this death was associated with the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. Regardless of the particular type of flu you are trying to avoid, there are many small decisions you can make on an every day basis to reduce the risk of getting the flu. According to the CDC, the spreading of the 2009 H1N1 virus occurs in the same way that the seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are mostly spread through by coughing or sneezing in public. Occasionally, some may even become infected by touching something, like an object or surface, containing flu viruses on it, and then touching their own nose or mouth. The main steps that should be taken to prevent the flu, whether seasonal or the H1N1, include covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, washing your hands, and eating a healthy diet.

Health professionals have been trained to cough into their sleeves. This is a wonderful, health promoting practice more people should try to embrace. Everyone could stand to be a little more considerate and careful when they sneeze or cough in public. Just turning your head to the side and coughing over your shoulder is not good enough to stop the spread of germs. Because the 2009 H1N1 and most other flu viruses are contagious, we should take every possible effort to decrease the germs we spread. The CDC has suggested two ways to cover our coughs and help fight the spread of germs. First of all, make an effort to cover your cough and mouth with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue away. If you cannot grab a tissue or paper towel quick enough, cough into the sleeve of your upper arm. The CDC recommends not coughing or sneezing into your hands. This makes perfect sense because when you sneeze into your hands, for example, you just spread all of those germs all over the most used part of your body, thus potentially spreading even more germs than sneezing into the air would have done.

Speaking of germs on the hands, it is extremely important to regularly wash your hands, particularly after coughing, sneezing or using the restroom. A satisfactory washing of the hands consists of washing one's hands for at least 20 seconds under warm water with soap. The water needs to be warm to the touch, but not hot enough that it burns or is uncomfortable. The heat of the water helps fight off germs. The use of soap and a tough scrub on the hands for 20 seconds further helps to kill bacteria. Try to scrub between the knuckles and under fingernail tips. A good way to make sure you are washing your hands for a long enough period of time is to sing a short nursery song, like the ABC's. Children's songs usually last about 20 seconds and make for a fun way to time yourself.

Making healthy food choices is another fantastic way to avoid the flu. There are many ways you could boost your immune system and help keep the flu away. Eating alkalinizing foods is a great immune booster because they are anti-inflammatory. Anti-oxidant rich foods, like fruits and vegetables, are excellent in preventing chronic inflammation. If you want to make your diet more alkaline rich, try to eat more lean meats, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Adding green tea, cold pressed olive oil and drinking lots of water to flush out harmful toxins are also recommendations for fighting off the flu.

Obviously, preventing the flu is much easier than treating it. So, be careful and limit unnecessary contact with potentially germ covered surfaces. Cough into tissues, wash your hands and eat powerful anti-oxidant containing foods. While these remedies may seem obvious, sometimes they are east to forget. It is especially important to make healthy choices during flu-season, particularly with the threats of the H1N1 again. Be sure to take your protective measures today, tomorrow and every day.

Courtney Lewis is the manager of the bath and body workshop where you can learn how Bath Salts work. Follow the link to learn more about her most recent venture, the bath and body gift basket store, Sweetly You.