Protecting Yourself From The Swine (H1N1) Flu

I think it's important to first understand what H1N1 flu really is. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) defines swine flu as a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs.

People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Novel H1N1 (referred to as "swine flu" early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Read more about it at the CDC Website.

Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and fatigue are the most common symptoms of swine flu, but diarrhea and vomiting have also been associated as symptoms.

Yes, H1N1 flu is contagious and the virus is spread mainly through coughing and/or sneezing of people infected with the virus.

In other instances, people may contract the virus by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Medical experts recommend the following:

- Wash your hands or use the sanitizers with over 60% alcohol content in it;

- Try to stay in good general health by being physically active, drinking plenty of water and good fluids, eating nutritious meals along with quality nutritional supplements and getting enough sleep;

- Manage your stress by meditating, staying positive and laughing a lot (it is indeed the best medicine);

- Try not touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus;

- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

If you live in areas where swine flu cases have been identified and people have become sick with the H1N1 flu-like symptoms mentioned above you may want to contact your local health care provider. Accordingly, they will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick (including your children), you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

In CHILDREN, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash

In ADULTS, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting

It seems like the mainstream media has caused a myth by broadcasting images of people wearing the N95 masks, to "protect themselves" from the swine flu while interacting with one another.

Apparently, N95 masks may not have the ability to protect the wearer from other people's airborne germs. The main purpose of the N95 masks is to prevent the wearer from infecting others.

Basically, they work by preventing virus infected mouth particles from becoming airborne. Therefore, if the wearer sneezes, coughs, etc. and their infected mouth particles remain within the confines of the mask and thereby not infect other people around them.

This is what a report prepared for the Public Health Agency of Canada concluded about the N95 masks:

- N95 respirators protect against the inhalation of nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial and alveolar sized particles.

- Surgical masks worn by an infected person may play a role in the prevention of influenza transmission by reducing the amount of infectious material that is expelled into the environment.

- Both surgical masks and N95 respirators offer a physical barrier to contact with contaminated hands and ballistic trajectory particles, such as particles expelled by a sneeze or a cough.

- The efficiency of the filters of surgical masks to block penetration of alveolar and tracheobronchial sized particles is highly variable. When combined with the inability to ensure a sealed fit, these factors suggest that surgical masks offer no significant protection against the inhalation of alveolar and tracheobronchial sized particles.

Health officials say masks can help, but unless the person wearing the mask can ensure a sealed fit, the mask will offer no significant protection. This can be more of a problem for children or men with beards.

Before I conclude, one point worth mentioning is that H1N1 flu viruses are not spread by food. That is to say, you cannot contract the H1N1 flu virus from eating pork or pork products. Consuming safely handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Click Here to read the full report

It is necessary to take precautions as outlined in this article to prevent from contracting or spreading the virus.

Being stressed and worried does not help the situation, if in doubt if you or your child are feeling sick, contact your local health care provider before rushing to the emergency. Unless of course, you see warning signs warranting to do so.

Take the time to live healthy lives by understanding the importance of nutrition, proper diet, exercise and your immune system. Stay healthy, stress-free, be thankful in everything, and of course, don't forget to laugh a lot! :)

For more details on the H1N1 flu and current updates, click the links below:

Click Here for an Update on the H1N1 Flu

Click Here for Situation Updates Around the World

Info Source Credits for this Article:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; and
- Public Health Agency Canada