Some basic facts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Symptoms. They are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

• Getting it. Spread of the swine influenza virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.

• Prevention. The key is to wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Pork. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.