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

The 2009 swine flu outbreak is thought to have been the result of reassortment between avian, swine and human influenza viruses. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 3 Jan. 2025

Since 1918, there have been five influenza pandemics: the Spanish flu of that year, the 1957 Asian flu, the 1968 Hong Kong flu, the 1977 Russian flu, and the 2009 swine flu. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 2 Jan. 2025

And last year, the CDC reported that two people caught swine flu after visiting pig exhibits. —Benjamin Thorp, NPR, 4 Sep. 2024

The most recent struck just 15 years ago — 2009’s swine flu pandemic. —Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 6 Dec. 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