DEAR DR. GOTT: I'm confused about the swine flu I keep hearing about on television and the ordinary flu I'm immunized against every fall. Are they both the same strains or different? My family feels I should get both injections, simply because I am elderly and have several medical issues. Also, I love pork and question if I will have to give up one of my favorite dishes.

DEAR READER: In April 2009, a new strain of influenza was detected in Mexico and the United States. Because it shared numerous similarities to flu viruses that commonly occur in pigs, it was dubbed swine flu. Further studies, however, discredited the presumed similarities, and the name was changed to H1N1. Cases were discovered worldwide, primarily because of people who traveled outside the countries of origin. Because it met specific requirements, it then took on the term "pandemic."Signs and symptoms of the disorder strongly resemble those of the influenza we are immunized for each year and include fatigue, headache, chills, fever, cough, sore throat and more. Symptoms range from mild to severe.With seasonal influenza, certain people are at higher risk than others: those with pre-existing medical conditions, the young and old, and those working in the medical field. Statistics reveal that more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related causes and that approximately 36,000 will die as a result.In the case of H1N1, healthy adults older than 64 do not appear to be at increased risk of contracting the virus, but those with diseases or chronic conditions may be at risk for serious complications. Therefore, they should be vaccinated. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) feel that almost one-third of people older than 60 may have antibodies to protect against getting the virus. Oddly, those commonly affected are younger than 25. Underlying causes for acquiring the virus include a compromised immune system, heart or kidney disease, pregnancy and neurological disorders.Symptoms of H1N1 flu virus are simiar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, chills, headache, fatigue and a runny or stuffy nose. Many also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Some symptoms warrant emergency-medical attention and include severe or persistent vomiting, difficulty breathing, a gray cast to the skin, irritability and flu-like symptoms that appear to improve, only to return with fever and a worsening cough, shortness of breath and dizziness.It appears that those infected can spread the infection to others from one day prior to symptoms presenting to seven days after. An H1N1 vaccine is being produced as I write and should be ready by fall (around Oct. 15). In the interim, common sense prevails. Protect against droplet contamination, the means by which H1N1 is spread. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the crook of your elbow when sneezing or coughing. Wash your hands more often than you normally would, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid close contact with sick people, and avoid crowds whenever possible. The CDC recommends people remain at home for at least 24 hours after a fever breaks. Germicides, including chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, antibiotics with an iodine base and soap, are effective when used for a sufficient length of time and in a proper concentration.To answer your question, H1N1 cannot be acquired from eating pork or pork products. There is also no documentation to indicate water in swimming pools poses a problem. Keep in mind, however, that water fountains certainly do. Children have a tendency to touch the base of the water supply and could certainly contaminate it, since studies indicate that the influenza virus can remain on surfaces for up to eight hours after being deposited.