Not so funny anymore! (image courtsey msnbc)

The recent outbreak of the Swine flu in Mexico and U.S. has had a few alarm bells ringing with Anne Schuchat, Director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, stating that the American cases were found to be made up of genetic fragments from four different flu viruses and viruses with this genetic makeup had not previously been found to be circulating in humans or pigs. Reuters reported that the total number of Swine flu cases in U.S. has totaled to 8 whereas the same pandemic has claimed as many as 60 lives in Mexico. CDC has stated that they presently do not have enough info to fully assess the health threat poised by this new and unusual strain of H1N1 Swine flu.

While everyone is looking to find what they can to be prepared for the Swine flu pandemic, I’ve found a few things that would help you know more about Swine flu.

Swine Flu: Symptoms and Conditions

Swine flu is different from the common cold in a few ways and it usually comes on suddenly, causing mild to severe illness and sometimes resulting in death. Swine flu symptoms are listed below:
* High Fever
* Headache
* Sore throat
* Dry cough
* Extreme tiredness
* Muscle aches
* Stuffy or runny nose
* Nausea
* Loss of appetite
* Stomach symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea (both adult & children)

Precautions for Swine flu

* You can not get Swine flu from eating pork or pork products as the virus can not be transmitted by food. Any pork heated to 160°F while cooking is safe to be consumed.

* Human infection with Swine flu viruses are most likely when people either come in close proximity to infected pigs, such as livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs or in pig barns. This can be further transferred human to human through sneezing or coughing of an infected person, much like common flu.

* CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment or prevention of Swine flu infection. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

* People with Swine flu virus infection should be considered potentially contagious up to 7 days from the onset of the illness. Children, especially younger children, might remain contagious for longer periods.

* As there is no vaccine available right now to protect against Swine flu, readers are urged to follow these everyday steps to protect themselves:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  

For more information, visit the official CDC Website

Here is an emergency update video on Swine flu

Post Source: CDC Official Website