swine influenza

noun

: influenza A of swine that is caused by any of several subtypes (such as H1N1 or H3N2) of the causative orthomyxovirus and in which sporadic transmission to humans has occurred compare swine flu

Examples of swine influenza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pigs can be infected by avian, human, and swine influenza strains simultaneously, which makes reassortment especially likely, though the process is not exclusive to pigs. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 10 Oct. 2025

Autopsy specimens unexpectedly tested positive for an H1N1 swine influenza virus. —Discover Magazine, 7 Sep. 2024

Pigs can be infected with strains of swine influenza viruses that are different from human flu viruses and can rarely spread them to people. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 26 July 2023

That’s because avian and swine influenzas have caused pandemics in humans, including the 1918 flu pandemic, which was caused by a virus that originated in birds, and the 2009 swine flu pandemic. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2023

From these samples, researchers identified 179 swine influenza viruses -- but not all of them posed a concern. —Jessie Yeung, CNN, 30 June 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for swine influenza

• parainfluenza
• cadenza

Medical Definition

swine influenza

noun

: influenza of swine that is marked by fever, lethargy, labored breathing, coughing, and anorexia and that is typically not fatal but may be complicated by development of bronchopneumonia or secondary bacterial infection

Note: Swine influenza is caused by any of several subtypes (such as H1N1 or H3N2) of an orthomyxovirus (species Influenza A virus of the genus Influenzavirus A). Strains of the virus subtypes have been transmitted to humans, sometimes causing outbreaks.

see swine flu