Swine Flu Info

In a nutshell, here is some information to help you become more informed about the H1N1 virus (aka the swine flu).

Prevention:

• Cover nose & mouth with tissue when coughing/sneezing or around those who are doing same.
• Discard used tissues immediately.
• Wash hands frequently for at least a minute with warm water and soap.
• Use hand sanitizer often.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, nose.

Symptoms:

• Temperature of 100.5 or higher
• Muscle aches
• Cough (esp. dry)
• Sore throat
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Treatment:

• If you feel sick, stay home from work or school.
• See your doctor (or, if symptoms are severe, of course, go to the hospital).
• Within the first two days of getting sick, start treatment with either Tamiflu or Relenza (via prescriptions from your doctor).

Locations of confirmed cases to date:

• Mexico (336 confirmed)
• Arizona (1)
• California (14)
• Indiana (1)
• Texas (26)
• Kansas (2)
• Maine (2)
• Massachusetts (2)
• Michigan (2)
• Nevada (1)
• New York (50)
• South Carolina (10)
• Ohio (1)
• Austria (1)
• Britain (5)
• Canada (13)
• Costa Rica (2)
• Germany (3)
• Israel (2)
• New Zealand (14)
• Spain (10)

Additional advice provided so far:

• Avoid travel to Mexico for about a week until further notice.
• Don’t panic.

What is it? And why is it called the swine flu?

• It’s a virus – an influenza (flu) virus.
• This particular strain causes a respiratory disease in pigs, but was apparently transferred to humans in Mexico and spread from there.

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Please note: As always, any information provided in Soapbox Mom is strictly for informational and/or entertainment purposes only.  For medical advice, seek the advice of your doctor or trained medical professional.