swine flu

noun

: swine influenza

also : influenza A of humans that is caused by a different strain of an orthomyxovirus subtype (H1N1) from those found in swine and that is marked especially by fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

Examples of swine flu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Lewis’ death from H1N1 swine flu, a heretofore extinct H1N1 influenza strain suddenly reentered the human population? —Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2024

The highest death toll recorded was 288 children who died from the flu in 2009-2010 at the height of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic. —Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2024

So too was the 2009 H1N1 swine flu, which led to a pandemic estimated to have caused the death of more than 280,000 people across the globe. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024

In 2012 a major swine flu outbreak led to over 300 infections in the U.S., with the majority of those associated with exposure at agricultural fairs. —Benjamin Thorp, NPR, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

swine flu

noun

: swine influenza

also : influenza of humans that is caused by a subtype (H1N1) of an orthomyxovirus (species Influenza A virus of the genus Influenzavirus A) originating in swine and is marked especially by fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

Among the swine flu cases in the United States, none had had any contact with pigs …

—Marc Lacey and Donald G. McNeil Jr., The New York Times

As swine flu spreads from person to person around the world, it is most often being transmitted by coughing or sneezing …

—Laura Landro, The Wall Street Journal