Whats the difference between the swine flu and a normal flu?

Swine flu is a new strain of flu so there is no immunity from a previous outbreak. It is more virulent than seasonal flu and has the ability to spread easily. On the plus side though it is not as bad as they first thought it would be! Expect a 2nd wave though come winter.

There is no such thing as "normal" flu. There are many different strains of flu. Some years we get affected badly and some years we are not affected so badly. As humans we have a certain amount of immunity to most strains of flu, but sometimes (as with this year) a strain of flu spreads to which we have little or no immunity. Swine flu has been seen in pigs as carriers, much as bird flu has been seen to be carried by birds, but there is no reason at all why all strains of flu cannot affect all animals including humans. The dangerous part is when the flu strain mutates and so can pass from one species to another, mutating again and then spreading as a new strain to which we have little or no immunity.

not a lot,its just in the news more.

Nothing I had swine flu but the flu was much worse.

If people are going to give thumbs down, they could at least give the courtesy of explaining why and checking their own "facts" and could then go and see if I'm right before thumbing mine down. Influenza type A is more common and more severe, please do not just misread wikipedia before stating facts such as type A is swine flu and type B is Human... This is not the case. Type A is found in humans, Birds, Swine and other mammals... Type B is found mainly in humans but is less common! Type C is the same and even rarer. What do you mean "The jab"? There is no jab... Let's dispel a few myths... It is not Easier to catch, It is not ten times more likely to kill you, There is no vaccine, Dust masks wont help you, eating pork will not make you catch it, all Mexicans do not have swine flu, Tamiflu and similar drugs will not prevent nor cure it,. Now to answer your question... They are a type of the same virus... Influenza type A which has numerous subtypes. Although you said don't say it... Actual "Swine Flu" does come from pigs and it is endemic to swine, rarely passing to humans although it is possible. The form of the Flu virus we are all hearing about is not really "Swine Flu" per se but the media liked to use it just like with "Bird Flu". Although Human flu and Swine flu can both be of the H1N1 strain, The current virus is really the subtype Pandemic H1N1/09. The difference is that the virus genome has been reassorted, different strains of the virus infect a single cell which then causes RNA strands of the different virus subtypes to combine into a new and unique strain. The H1N1/09 contains RNA from Human, Avian and Swine subtypes. As it is essentially a "new" virus the body has little or no immunity to it meaning that while it's symptoms are the same as any influenza, Some people may experience them more severely and suffer a more severe reaction as they have no immediate immune defence. Those with low immune systems or who are generally weaker already (such as The elderly, The already ill, The very young etc) are at most risk. You could be classed as more at risk due to your asthma but best to seek advice from your GP if your worried about it.

The only difference is that it's easier to catch! So wash your hands a lot, and drink plenty of liquids, eat well, and if your immune system is poor this summer (which it shouldn't be!) have some vitamins! =) I hope I answered your question! ;) ~* ♥ Dolce Stella ♥ *~