Dealing with the Swine Flu Outbreak
Although it's easy to feel panicked by what you read and see through media coverage and notices from public agencies, it's important to remain calm and get informed. No matter how virulent an outbreak seems at the beginning, understand that public health departments will always react aggressively to contain the spread of disease. The number of confirmed cases has grown, but is currently low and prevention is the best way to keep the numbers low. Here is some information and resources to help you get informed and prepared.
About Swine Flu
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Allergies won't cause a fever, and run-of-the-mill stomach bugs won't be accompanied by respiratory symptoms.
Prevention
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. Here are some tips to help you avoid getting sick:
- Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work and school, and don't run errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. And by all means, if you or a family member experiences upper respiratory, flu-like symptoms, please contact your physician.
- Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Clean your hands. Washing your hands often with soap and water will help protect you from germs. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also recommended.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Use sanitizing wipes to keep your computer, phone, and desk clean.
- Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
We recently walked out our front door to see what we thought was a GIANT beehive in our small oak tree in the front yard. My first inclination was to grab a bottle of bug spray. Now that was my inclination but my husband happened to know of a bee keeper so we called him instead.
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