Can you get Swine Flu twice?

[Becca]

I think I have it again but I don't know if you can get it twice. Last time I had it I got given tablets and I was fine after two weeks. Maybe I need the jab? I seriously have no clue so any ideas?

[Moh]

Theoretically - but unlikely.

[Mathew]

It's highly unlikely but you could.
On one hand, if you've already had swine flu, antibodies in your immune system will attack the infection if you happen to get it again; and hence you won't suffer.

But.. it's possible that the flu has mutated (DNA string been changed around), hence it's a totally new flu and you may suffer again. It's highly unlikely that you'd get it once, then the second one would find it's way to you again..

I never thought Year 10 Biology would be useful but it seems like it's come in handy somewhere!

[Conservative,]

I believe it's not possible. Or certainly highly unlikely, mainly because once you get it, your immune system fights it - inevitably wins, then you remember how to fight it so you can't get it again. The doctors told my mum when she got it you can't get it again.

You probably just have regular flu...don't know why everyone with a bad headache and runny nose automatically thinks swine flu - it's basically regular flu with a hyped up name ;l

[flatface]

I believe it's not possible. Or certainly highly unlikely, mainly because once you get it, your immune system fights it - inevitably wins, then you remember how to fight it so you can't get it again. The doctors told my mum when she got it you can't get it again.

You probably just have regular flu...don't know why everyone with a bad headache and runny nose automatically thinks swine flu - it's basically regular flu with a hyped up name ;l

I'm not an expect but there is different strains of Swine Flu, my friend has had it twice, so yes you can

[Becca]

I thought that I did cause' on the website it says what symptoms you get and I basically had all of them:

unusual tiredness
headache
runny nose
sore throat
shortness of breath or cough
loss of appetite
aching muscles

i've also been vomiting a lot but all of them are on the website

[Conservative,]

I'm not an expect but there is different strains of Swine Flu, my friend has had it twice, so yes you can

If you are exposed to an identical version of the H1N1 flu that you had previously after you have recovered fully from it the first time, then your body should have developed immunity to all genetically identical H1N1 flu and you would not get it a second time. However, the flu can change by mutations and if it does change enough that the immune system no longer sees it as identical, then you would not have immunity to the mutated strain. This is a similar concept to why we need different seasonal flu vaccine every year.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_you_ge...#ixzz18e2UiPAn

[Gibs960]

Depends if you had the jab or if you had tablets I think :\

[Dean]

If you're really worried, go to the doctor. I don't know how old you have to be get the flu jab though, can't harm trying.

[Conservative,]

If you're really worried, go to the doctor. I don't know how old you have to be get the flu jab though, can't harm trying.

I've had it since I was 4/5 so I think most people can