Swine Flu Questions and Answers

This article should cover all of your swine flu questions with appropriate answers.

How Do People Catch The Swine Flu?

Just like the seasonal flu, the swine flu is passed from person to person via nasal secretions or coughing secretions. Air born particles land on someone else or on a surface and then they are touched by someone else who then touches their nose or mouth.

The swine flu can also be passed from pigs to humans. People the work in close proximity to pigs can get the swine flu even if they never touch a pig.

How Can I Avoid Getting The Swine Flu?

Washing your hands and avoiding high risk areas and people is the best prevention. Do not touch your face unless you just washed your hands. Avoid high risk areas such as pig farms, petting zoos and Mexico or people that have recently arrived from Mexico. If you are unable to wash your hands use a hand sanitizer gel or wipes.

DO I NEED TO WEAR A MASK?

If you are a health care professional working with patients you should wear a mask or if you are in Mexico.

What Are The Symptoms Of Swine Flu?

A sudden spike in fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough, headache, aching joints, nasal congestion and general fatigue. If you experience any combination of these symptoms please see your doctor or health care professional.

What Should I Do If I Get Sick?

Go and see your doctor immediately. Avoid other people. Cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw it away. Take a supply of tissues with you. If you find yourself without a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow to stop the spread of the virus.

Do not go to work or school until your symptoms have gone away, you do not want to spread the virus. This virus can be deadly.

Is There a Test For Swine Flu?

Yes, your doctor can do a flu test in their office. They normally take a swab from your nose and they results are almost instant. The test tells you whether you have the flu or not and may not be able to tell you the specific kind of flu. Your doctor will pass your flu results along to your county for further determination.

How Sick Can You Get From The Swine Flu?

Most people have symptoms similar to a regular seasonal flu for 7-14 days. Most people recover. Some people die. So far there have been over 100 deaths in Mexico and an unknown amount in the U.S. due to the recent outbreak of the swine flu.

Is There A Vaccine For The Swine Flu?

No, however there are medications such as Tamiflu and other flu drugs that significantly reduce symptoms.

How To Prepare For A Swine Flu Pandemic or Epidemic

Everyone in America needs to know how to prepare for a swine flu pandemic or epidemic. Our government is not going to screen travelers from Mexico or close the Mexican border to protect us, so we need to protect ourselves.

RESTRICT TRAVEL TO MEXICO - Do not travel to Mexico right now unless you absolutely must. If you do travel to Mexico, do not shake hands, wear a mask, wash your hands often and if possible wear gloves. Remember to wash your hands throughout the day and do not touch your nose or mouth.

PROTECT OTHERS - If you are sick you need to stop the spread of the virus with you. Try not to go out in public. When you sneeze or cough do it in a tissue or into your elbow and then throw the tissue away. Avoid shaking hands. Watch your hands often throughout the day.

AVOID AIR TRAVEL - The air in an airplane is re-circulated. Because the swine flu is transmitted through the air it is a dangerous place to be right now. You need to know how to prepare for a swine flu pandemic or epidemic.

CLOSE THE BORDERS - Demand that our government close the border with Mexico. Do not have contact with someone that has come from Mexico or Mexico City in the last two weeks. Anyone traveling from Mexico right now is considered high risk.

WASH HANDS - Washing your hands and not touching your nose and mouth are the number one things you can do to protect yourself.

You should also avoid high risk areas, such traveling to Mexico, having contact with someone that just came from Mexico and being around sick people.

We all need to learn how to prepare for a swine flu pandemic or epidemic.