How To Prevent and Recognize Symptoms Of Swine Flu

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Some common-sense precautions can help keep you safe from this potentially deadly infection.

To complete this How-To you will need:

Hand washing
Knowledge of symptoms
Prompt medical attention
Isolation
A face mask
Hand washing
Knowledge of symptoms
Prompt medical attention
Isolation
A face mask

Step 1: Understand the infection

Understand what it is. Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by the influenza virus. Usually the virus does not infect humans, but transmission can sometimes occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs. The current outbreak has been caused by human-to-human transmission.

Step 2: Understand how it spreads

Swine flu is spread between humans like a cold: A person can catch it by being sneezed, coughed, or breathed on by a carrier, or by touching a surface that has the virus on it and then touching their own nose, eyes, or mouth. Direct contact with infected pigs can also transmit the virus to people, and vice versa. So far, no other animals can transmit the virus to humans.

Tip: You cannot get swine flu from eating cooked pork or pork products.

Step 3: Wash your hands

Wash your hands with warm water and soap often, lathering up for as long as it takes you to sing "Happy Birthday" twice, or about 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer in between, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Don't shake hands with anyone.

Step 4: Avoid sick people

If someone is showing signs of a cold or flu, keep your distance.

Step 5: Don't assume immunity

Don't assume you're immune to the swine flu because you got a flu shot last year. It may not prevent you from being made sick by this particular strain, though it could prevent you from catching other strains.

Tip: Unlike other flu viruses, which tend to attack weakened immune systems, swine flu flourishes in young, strong, healthy bodies.

Step 6: Know the symptoms

Know the symptoms, which include a fever higher than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, a sore throat, and respiratory congestion. Some people have diarrhea and vomiting, too.

Step 7: Don't delay medical attention

Don't delay in getting medical attention if you show symptoms. Swine flu can be successfully treated with the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, which are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Step 8: Protect others

If you are diagnosed with any kind of flu, stay indoors and limit your interaction with loved ones for seven days after the onset of symptoms to avoid passing it to others.

Step 9: Wear a face mask

If you are in an area where there's been a swine flu outbreak, wear a face mask. Swine flu is spread through respiratory droplets, which are transferred by a cough, sneeze, or even an exhale.

Tip: A simple face mask filters about 62 percent of small particles; a professional-grade one keeps 98 percent out.

Step 10: Don't panic

Don't panic if you recently visited an area with an outbreak. The incubation period is three to five days, so if you're flu-free a week after your trip, you're probably not infected.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• healthbeauty
• health
• nutrition
• coughs
• colds
• flus
• symptoms
• preventing
• spreading
• catching
• swine

[Jape1990]

AHHH I HAVE IT :'O! I have all the symptoms :'( except vomit and diahrreha

[Gothicanime20]

Swine flu and seasonal are basically the same.

Being an EMT I know that wearing a face mask won't protect you as much as the vid says.

Swine flu is dramatic, seasonal flu kills more people.

[Itoast3r]

Had it it was like a ordinary flu, didnt even had the vaccine

[EMalkin71luver]

@ilovesims24ever11 you techniacally dont have to vomit and have diahrreha to have it. it said SOME PEOPLE had vomit and diahrreha

[ilovesims24ever11]

@Jape1990 you don't have it because you have to vomit and have diahrreha to have the disease so your safe.

[bananaintraining]

i got it in camp because a girl was sick and i slept in her tent :'(

[TheEccentricKitty]

Three of my friends came down with this... I thought I was screwed!

[jellibeen2]

That's right everyone, never be nice to anyone and avoid them when you think you have swine flu

[2000cydneychase2005]

@Jape1990 ME 2 ONCE!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH D:

[Hadra568]

I had it, wasn't that bad.

[Jensettiman]

@xxtorturefreakxx It tasted like cum when I tried combining them

[xxtorturefreakxx]

@Jensettiman smart move...