Understanding Swine Flu and What to Do
When it comes to the Swine flu, you need to understand it is just one in a long line of this particular disease.
As well as swine flu there is bird flu which grabbed the headlines for a couple of years and of course there is the very famous Spanish flu that killed so many people all around the world just after the First World War.
Every year there is a new strain of flu that will attack humans or birds or pigs or all three.
Some are more virulent than others but all act in virtually the same way with similar symptoms.
It just depends on how severe those symptoms are which determines if it is a problem.
This version of swine flu is a combination of four different flu viruses, North American swine flu, North American bird flu, human flu and European/Asian swine flu which makes it a complicated little beast.
With 'ordinary' flu that comes around every winter, hundreds if not thousands die from the disease or from complications caused by the infection but animal flu has the potential to kill many more as humans do not have the immediate defences to it.
Nowadays it is possible to create a vaccine in a relatively short period of time.
Just because it is called swine flu, it doesn't mean you are going to catch it from swine or its products, so bacon, pork chops or any other pig meat product.
Where you do catch it from is by inhaling particles in the air or by touching contaminated surfaces such as counters or door handles and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
The virus is able to survive on surfaces for several hours so it is good policy to wash your hands on a regular basis.
We have all seen news footage of crowds wearing white masks but are they really effective? Well not really.
They are worn to prevent the person spreading germs rather than catching them and are worn for good manners.
Unless you are working with somebody you know is infected, they are not much use unless you change them on a regular basis.
Masks become moist very easily which, in itself is a health hazard.
Swine flu symptoms are very similar to normal flu such as coughing.
sore throat, aching limbs, head aches, fatigue and a fever.
Temperatures tend to be very high.
over a hundred is common.
Other symptoms that have been reported are appetite loss and vomiting with diarrhea.
Apart from the body's own defences, there are two antiviral treatments, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) which is the one everybody knows and zanamivir (Relenza) which is the better one for certain people with certain conditions.
These will certainly reduce the effects of the flu but they could cause side effects.
In order for the spreading of Swine flu to be kept to the minimum, we should all practise a scrupulous hygiene regime.
If you sneeze, you must cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue which must then be put into a bin straight away.
Do not put it back into a pocket or handbag to keep for use again.
Get rid of it as it will only contaminate the area.
This is why you shouldn't use a fabric handkerchief.
Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose, unless you have washed your hands first.
In fact, hand washing should become an even more important and frequent activity.
This means when arriving at work, wash your hands as soon as you enter and the same when you get home.
Just go straight to the bathroom and wash your hands without stopping to pick up your child or kiss your partner.
Also wash your hands after sneezing or using tissues.
You can use soap and water or an alcohol gel, either are effective as long as you ensure to wash your hands thoroughly.
You can find barrier creams that can protect hands for a couple of hours which could be a good idea to use on the way to and from work.
Normal household cleaners are sufficient for handles and flat surfaces.
Luckily, Swine flu has arrived in summer, when it is harder to catch because windows are open, people are thinner on the ground because many are on holiday and schools, one of the better places to spread this disease, are also closed.
This has given scientists time to develop and test the new vaccines needed to help counter this threat.
Although there have been a number of cases reported, this disease will probably become more aggressive as autumn arrives so it is important to get your hygienic regime perfected now so that you are ready for anything.
As well as swine flu there is bird flu which grabbed the headlines for a couple of years and of course there is the very famous Spanish flu that killed so many people all around the world just after the First World War.
Every year there is a new strain of flu that will attack humans or birds or pigs or all three.
Some are more virulent than others but all act in virtually the same way with similar symptoms.
It just depends on how severe those symptoms are which determines if it is a problem.
This version of swine flu is a combination of four different flu viruses, North American swine flu, North American bird flu, human flu and European/Asian swine flu which makes it a complicated little beast.
With 'ordinary' flu that comes around every winter, hundreds if not thousands die from the disease or from complications caused by the infection but animal flu has the potential to kill many more as humans do not have the immediate defences to it.
Nowadays it is possible to create a vaccine in a relatively short period of time.
Just because it is called swine flu, it doesn't mean you are going to catch it from swine or its products, so bacon, pork chops or any other pig meat product.
Where you do catch it from is by inhaling particles in the air or by touching contaminated surfaces such as counters or door handles and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
The virus is able to survive on surfaces for several hours so it is good policy to wash your hands on a regular basis.
We have all seen news footage of crowds wearing white masks but are they really effective? Well not really.
They are worn to prevent the person spreading germs rather than catching them and are worn for good manners.
Unless you are working with somebody you know is infected, they are not much use unless you change them on a regular basis.
Masks become moist very easily which, in itself is a health hazard.
Swine flu symptoms are very similar to normal flu such as coughing.
sore throat, aching limbs, head aches, fatigue and a fever.
Temperatures tend to be very high.
over a hundred is common.
Other symptoms that have been reported are appetite loss and vomiting with diarrhea.
Apart from the body's own defences, there are two antiviral treatments, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) which is the one everybody knows and zanamivir (Relenza) which is the better one for certain people with certain conditions.
These will certainly reduce the effects of the flu but they could cause side effects.
In order for the spreading of Swine flu to be kept to the minimum, we should all practise a scrupulous hygiene regime.
If you sneeze, you must cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue which must then be put into a bin straight away.
Do not put it back into a pocket or handbag to keep for use again.
Get rid of it as it will only contaminate the area.
This is why you shouldn't use a fabric handkerchief.
Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose, unless you have washed your hands first.
In fact, hand washing should become an even more important and frequent activity.
This means when arriving at work, wash your hands as soon as you enter and the same when you get home.
Just go straight to the bathroom and wash your hands without stopping to pick up your child or kiss your partner.
Also wash your hands after sneezing or using tissues.
You can use soap and water or an alcohol gel, either are effective as long as you ensure to wash your hands thoroughly.
You can find barrier creams that can protect hands for a couple of hours which could be a good idea to use on the way to and from work.
Normal household cleaners are sufficient for handles and flat surfaces.
Luckily, Swine flu has arrived in summer, when it is harder to catch because windows are open, people are thinner on the ground because many are on holiday and schools, one of the better places to spread this disease, are also closed.
This has given scientists time to develop and test the new vaccines needed to help counter this threat.
Although there have been a number of cases reported, this disease will probably become more aggressive as autumn arrives so it is important to get your hygienic regime perfected now so that you are ready for anything.
