The Swine Flu virus (Novel Influenza A (H1N1) is a new virus that mutated from a swine flu virus.  It is actually composed of 4 different viral strains.

The CDC confirmed the first US case of the swine flu on April 15, 2009.  The second case was confirmed only two days later.  It is believed that the swine flu is spread the same way as the seasonal flu.

The swine flu spreads from contact with an infected person.  If an infected person touches something, the virus can survive for 2 - 8 hours on the object.  If a healthy individual touches the surface and then rubs their eyes, or touches their nose or mouth, they can transfer the living swine flu virus to themselves.

The majority of confirmed cases of the swine flu have affected school aged children - people between the ages of 5 and 24.  The swine flu is extremely contagious, so parents and school officials need to take action in protecting our children.

With the seasonal flu, people are believed to be contagious for one day before they show symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick.  The swine flu incubation period is assumed to be similar to that of the regular flu.  Younger children are sometimes contagious for longer.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) swine flu researchers are aggressively studying the swine flu virus.  A swine flu vaccine has already been created and the United States government is working on plans for its distribution.