With swine flu occurrences on the rise, it's crucial to know what we're dealing with and the best steps to take to avoid becoming infected with it.
The answers to the following 7 questions will put you in the know, and help you become more able to guard against infection.
Exactly what is swine flu? It is a type of influenza, which a highly contagious disease is caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory system. This particular virus is referred to by the medical community as Novel Influenza A (H1N1).
How long has it been around? It is fairly new on the scene. The World Health Organization declared it to be a pandemic (an epidemic that affects enormous geographical areas) in June of this year.
At that point nearly 70 countries worldwide were confirming cases of it. The United States reported its first case in April 2009, and as of this writing all 50 states have confirmed cases of it.
What are the symptoms? Like most cases of the flu, symptoms can include but are not limited to fever, chills, vomiting, headache, and feeling achy.
Who is at risk? Age makes a difference, and those who are very young (5 or less), and those who are over 65 stand a greater chance of contracting it. General health is also a factor. Those who are asthmatic, diabetic, have cardiac, blood or immune disorders are also at greater risk.
How do you catch it? It actually catches you. Being physically close to those who are infected can mean that droplets from their coughing and sneezing can be ingested or inhaled, thereby spreading the virus to its next host.
Touching common surfaces that those who are infected may use such as door knobs, draw pulls, light switches, phones, computer keyboards and then putting your hands in your mouth or on food that you then eat can also transfer the virus.
Will a regular flu shot help? The H1N1 virus is not affected by a normal flu vaccination. But there is a vaccine in production that may reach the public in time for the flu season here in the U.S. in fall 2009 in time for the traditional influenza season.
This additional vaccine can be taken in conjunction with, prior to, or after the regular flu shot.
Why do colleges seem to be having such frequent outbreaks? Dormitory living puts college students in close and constant proximity to many more people than would be exposed to living at home with family, or even in an apartment. This kind of contact makes it very easy for the virus to spread.
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