In the months of April/May Bird Flu will attack in many countries. This year Swine Flu has attacked men in some countries like Mexico, Spain, Philipines and USA. The symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to the symptoms of normal/Seasonal Flu as below:-

• Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea and vomiting)
• Respiratory symptoms
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Stuffy nose
• Chills
• Headache
• Body aches
• Fatigue
  

We will not get Swine Flu from pigs. This strain is one that is communicable through human-to-human contact. It is a mutated form of a swine virus.

Swine flu is not transmitted by food/pork. It is not a so-called food-borne illness. Bacon, ham and other pork products are safe to eat, assuming they are prepared properly. An internal temperature of 160 degrees for cooked meat will kill any bacteria or virus.

Swine flu is transmitted by airborne droplets from an infected person's sneeze or cough; or from germs on hands, or germ-laden surfaces.

Deaths have been reported from the Mexico City outbreak. So far the cases in the US have been mild and there have been no deaths as yet. But, like seasonal flu, there is the potential for serious outcomes.

Avian flu/Bird Flu so far has had difficulty infecting humans unless they are exposed intensely to birds, because the virus has not mutated in a way that makes it transmissible by humans to other humans. This virus has origins genetically from both pigs and birds, and the big difference from the avian flu is that this swine virus can be transmitted readily from human to human.

It is not necessary to wear a mask while traveling in a flight, because the air on a plane is filtered. Transmission might occur if someone sitting close to us coughs or sneezes on us. The newer designs of aircraft airflow keep the air in a top-down flow, not forced air from front to back. However, if we have a respiratory illness, it is advisable not to travel.

We have to cover our mouth if and when we sneeze or cough.If we are ill, we must stay at home. We must control our sneezes and coughs. If we cough into our hands, the virus will live on our hands at least for a few minutes, so we must wash our hands before touching anyone else. If we have any Swine Flu/Seasonal Flu symptoms we have to consult a physician and get medical treatment. There are four medicines for curing Swine Flu. However there is no vaccine for preventing Swine Flu.

The Swine Flu has started its attack at Mexico. Now it is said to have spread to ten US States and some European countries. The UN's World Health Organization /WHO has raised the alert over swine flu to level five, the second largest alert, one short of a full-blown global epidemic, or pandemic.

In India the passengers coming to the country from the Swine Flu attacked countries are subjected to medical examinations while checking out. The possibility of Swine Flu attacks in India is very remote because of the high temperature in India where the Swine Flu virus cannot survive. However, as the disease is spread by man to man contact, it is possible to get Swine Flu attack by contact with persons having the disease.
Tag Health