The new strain of flu, Swine flu, which has swept across the country, has mostly mild, if uncomfortable symptoms. Unfortunately, unlike annual flu, this virus seems to affect younger healthy people with serious consequences including death. Seasonal flu can cause serious complications for the old and the very young. If you're worried about contracting Swine Flu there are precautions you can take such as washing your hands or using a hand sanitizing gel.
We have so many sources of information available to us these days that it is difficult to sort out what information is credible and which we should disregard. These three web sites are great tools for flu prevention, coping with the flu after you come down with it, and keeping informed about the scope of this year's Swine Flue outbreak:Web Md, Centers for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization.
These websites are constantly updated with new information that you can rely on.
Your state and local health departments also have important information on their websites about areas where the flu outbreak is particularly concentrated, and schools or other public facilities may be temporarily closed. For example, a school closure occurred at a prep school in New York after eight students were found to have swine flu. Public health authorities may also provide advice on when to avoid crowds, where flu can be spread easily, when to consider postponing travel, or other social distancing strategies.
Keep informed by reading the newspaper and watching TV but keep in mind that these day the news media has a tendency to exaggerate bad news and ignore good news. They may report that a suspected case of swine flu (N1H1) has been reported in your area but then never follow up that the case was negative.
Planning ahead can help you cope with this situation as well. Make sure you have stocked up on food, medicine, alcohol based hand rubs, and other supplies you may need should you or your family come down with the flu. Have tea bags, crackers, chicken soup mix, ginger ale, jello, and juices ready to go Make sure you have tissues, decongestant spray, and throat lozenges on hand. If you are infected, you need to stay home and take care of yourself, not have to run out to the store where you could infect other people.
Being prepared may mean you don't contract swine flu at all.
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