Personal Injury Law

What you need to know about Swine Flu or H1N1:...or why you don't need to be afraid of "this little piggy"

By Barbara Tubridy Lombardi

What you need to know about Swine Flu or H1N1:

…..or why you don't need to be afraid of 'this little piggy'

Swine Flu symptoms are the same as any typical flu, fever, body aches, headache, coughing, sneezing, and less often stomach upset and diarrhea. The best defense against the flu is thorough hand washing, covering your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze, and tossing those tissues after using. As of today, eleven states have confirmed cases of swine flu and the alert level was raised to 5 by the World Health Organization who believes a 'pandemic is imminent'. The CDC is attempting to educate the public and health care providers and preparing to respond in the case of a pandemic.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
• 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. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

H1N1 or 'Swine Flu' is not caused by eating or exposure to pork products. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, reported a drop in prices of pork, soybeans, and corn as the result of the public's misconception of the cause of this illness. The transmission of this virus is human to human contact. Iowa is the number one producer of of hogs in the U.S. and the backbone (or should I say 'rib bone'?) of their economy.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on May 02, 2009 (boomark / email).