Feeling crummy? You could have H1N1 Swine Flu

Swine flu is dominant strain in North America, Europe

Americans are getting sick with the flu, and it's a particularly bad year. Even healthy, young people are suffering for weeks at a time, worrying parents and filling urgent care waiting rooms. What's going on?

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - The United States, and much of the world is being hit by one of the worst flu seasons in history. The dominant strain of this late flu season happens to be, H1N1 swine flu.

The swine flu has become pandemic and spread across the United States and several other countries, infecting people by the millions. Swine flu has been among the dominant strains of the flu circulating since 2009. This year, it is causing people to stay sicker longer and pack into hospitals and urgent care facilities in epic numbers.

The infected can expect to spend between two and three weeks sick, instead of the usual few days.

Pregnant women, people with diabetes, and children are at particular risk. There has been a substantial uptick in the number of people who require intensive care because of the flu.

Daily Mail reported, "According to John Oxford, emeritus professor of virology at Queen Mary University of London, explains: 'H1N1 attacks the upper and lower airways and can go deep into the lungs, causing more severe symptoms.' However, swine flu symptoms are generally so similar to other flu that it can only be properly detected with lab tests of nose and throat swabs."

While it is typical for small children and the elderly to face the most complications, this is not always the case with the flu. This year, young and middle-aged adults seem to be suffering more.

This is strangely similar to the flu that wiped out millions of people between 1918 and 1919. Known as the Spanish Flu Pandemic, the exceptionally deadly strain of the flu claimed 50 million lives around the world. For comparison, World War I cost 17 million lives over four years of constant, industrialized warfare.

The Spanish Flu was infamous because it hit young people harder than small children and the elderly. It was also the most deadly flu strain in history.

The good news is this version of the swine flu that is making the rounds isn't particularly deadly. It is certainly more dangerous than average, but it is by no means close to the Spanish Flu of 1918.

Doctors encourage plenty of rest and fluids for people who are sick, this will minimize the suffering caused by the symptoms. Painkillers can help dispatch aches and pains while cough syrups and decongestants can help with breathing. Herbal tea with a couple spoons of honey mixed in is both soothing and delicious. Humidified air, without scents or additives, can make breathing easier. Most people can still function while sick, but it is a bad idea to go to work or to circulate in public because this is how the flu spreads.

Patients are encouraged to seek the advice of their doctor if symptoms become severe or run longer than usual.

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