Swine Flu and How to Prevent It
We’ve all heard the news by now about Swine Flu. In Mexico City, Mexico, the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has claimed over 150 lives, mostly in younger healthy adults in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s. There have already been over 40 diagnosed cases in the US (as of April 27, 2009), and certainly more will be diagnosed in the coming weeks. The reason this particular flu is hitting the news is because the Center for Disease Control (CDC) fears this may become the biggest pandemic since the 1918 flu where an estimated 20 to 100 million people were killed worldwide.
However frightening, this is not a time for panic but a time to become knowledgeable about the illness and its prevention.
The virus can not be spread by eating pork products, but can be spread by contact with a sick individual. This swine flu is different biologically than other flu and therefore, previous flu vaccines are not effective to ward off this virus. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. Swine flu is spread the way other flu viruses are spread, from person-to-person contact through sneezing or coughing of the infected person. You can also get the flu by touching the virus, then touching your eyes or nose.
Incubation is generally 1-3 days, but can last as long as 7 days. Persons with swine influenza A (H1N1) should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days after the onset of symptoms.
What are the symptoms of the Swine Flu? The symptoms are identical to other types of flu, and includes:
- fever
- lethargy
- lack of appetite
- coughing
- body aches
Not as common but can be present are:
- runny nose
- sore throat
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
The virus can be diagnosed with a respiratory specimen taken within the first 4-5 days of illness. This is when the person is shedding the most virus. It is important to get to your doctor within the first few days to get proper treatment and care.
The virus has been shown to be susceptible to two antiviral drugs, oseltamivir or zanamivir. These drugs are being used for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.
The Department of Homeland Security is recommended that all travel to Mexico be suspended until the threat has passed. You may have seen news stories of people in Mexico wearing masks over their mouths, but it has been shown that these are ineffective to prevent disease since the virus can pass through the mask. However, they will stop larger drops of saliva from a sneeze or cough, so if you must come in close contact with someone with the flu, wearing a mask is suggested.
You can also take these measures to avoid flu exposure:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially in public places. Alcohol based cleansers like Purell also work.
- Avoid touching your eyes or mouth until you can wash your hands.
- Avoid being around people who are sick. If you feel sick yourself, stay away from work or school.
- If someone in your family gets the Swine flu, other family members can take antiviral drugs to help them avoid the flu.
- Avoid travel to Mexico until the epidemic subsides.
- Keep your immune system healthy by getting proper nutrition and vitamins, getting sufficient sleep, and avoiding stressful situations.
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Yep, the numbers are inflated and/or fictional. Remember that we’re dealing with “experts,” the vast majority of whom know it’s always better to be “creative” with the statistics than to let the peons find out that they overstated their own importance. Did nobody else find it…interesting…that when the H1N1 numbers were far below the hype, the reporting methods were changed and the numbers magically (and retroactively!) increased?