FAQ About the Swine Flu
In a short period of time there has been a lot of concern about the changes in the Swine Flu Virus H1N1 and the mutation that has caused human to human infection. Lets review some facts and give you some healthy living tips to minimize infection.
Here is what you need to know about swine flu:
1. What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?
The symptoms of Swine Flu are much like the normal flu that we all try to avoid each winter season.
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Headaches
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Lack of appetite
2. What can I do to protect me and my family from swine flu?
- Any precaution to prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
- 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 hand cleaners are also effective. Wash your hands after visiting public places and touching door handles, shopping carts, checkout counters, etc…
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people, especially the elderly who are more likely to get an illness.
- If you get sick with influenza, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- You can support a healthy immune system by taking a multivitamin every day. Additional support for your immune system may be achieved by supplementing echinacea, goldenseal, beta glucan, colostrum, and or probiotics.
3. How long are you contagious if you contract the swine flu?
- People are contagious 1 day before symptoms appear up to 7 days after symptoms appear.
- There are prescription medications that can be administered that are effective against the swine flu H1N1 strain if you are diagnosed. There are a limited amount of these medications at this time, it is important that you do not stockpile these medications if you do not need them.
4. Do not be alarmed about the fears of a Swine Flu pandemic, but respect the warnings, be smart and take precautions now.
- The good news is that we are educating the public on how to be more careful of spreading germs and limiting contact with those infected by swine flu.
- Avoid traveling to areas that have documented cases of swine flu.
- Follow the recommendations in item #2 and look for symptoms as listed in #1
- Communicate with your doctor by phone if you feel you have contracted the flu virus.
Additional information is available on the ODH and CDC Web sites at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ Your Partner in Health, Bradley P. White R.Ph. P.S Learn more about our $3.79 Generic Wellness Program at http://www.medshoprx.com
