Swine Flu: And What To Do!

What is the world doing about swine flu? As of May 2009, the World Health Organization said that there were 985 confirmed cases of swine flu among 20 countries. But, a later study taken by the World Health Organization in September 2009, it was reported that 3,486 people were killed by Swine Flu (H1N1).

Some people wonder why the H1N1 virus is called Swine Flu. This name is given because the virus was only in pigs, but then the virus changed. H1N1 is now found in people. Originally it was transmitted pig to pig, but now it is passed on from human to human. It all started on a pig farm, where the pigs were infected. The farmers became sick too, and then the virus spread to Mexico. When people in Egypt heard that pigs were the cause of this illness, they killed hundreds of thousands of pigs. These pigs that were killed didn't even have the Swine Flu.

People are misinformed about the H1N1 virus, which would make it hard for the world to contain this illness. The symptoms of Swine Flu are a high fever, a cough and runny nose, sore throat, chills and body/headaches. These symptoms are very similar to those of the regular seasonal flu. More serious symptoms of the Swine Flu are troubled breathing, bluish-gray skin color and having trouble waking up. The groups of people that are most susceptible to the
Swine Flu are pregnant women, people with chronic medical problems and those who are obese.

Since children are likely to get the Swine Flu, they began giving immunizations to children just a day after hospitals started immunizing their workers. As of October 6th, only 14 states have received this vaccine and only in the form of a nasal spray. It is said that you would need 2 vaccines to be fully protected this year against the Swine Flu. Its important to know that the regular flu shot will not protect against the Swine Flu and the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against the Swine flu. So to make sure you don't get either of these flu viruses, some precautions you should take include washing your hands frequently since the H1N1 virus can be spread by touching contaminated objects. Also, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. This will help limit the spreading of the Swine Flu.

In order to not get H1N1, remember to wash your hands frequently and if needed hand sanitizer works well too. Every time you sneeze or cough, make sure you have a tissue near by. Most importantly, be informed. It might seem dorky to carry around hand sanitizer, but its really not. You are just being a safe cautious person who doesn't want to get the Swine Flu.



For more information go to:
http://http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-05-03-swine-flu-cases_N.htm

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/swineflu/a/409_symptoms.htm