Swine flu, also known as 2009 H1N1 influenza, is a human disease. People get the disease from other people, not from pigs. Symptoms of H1N1 swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms. Pregnant women are six times more likely to have severe flu disease than women who are not pregnant. Young children, especially those under 2 years of age are also more susceptible. Other people most at risk include people with asthma, COPD or other chronic lung conditions, cardiovascular conditions (except high blood pressure), liver problems, kidney problems, blood disorders including sickle cell disease, neurologic disorders, neuromuscular disorders, metabolic disorders including diabetes, immune suppression including HIV infection and medications that suppress the immune system, such as cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs for transplants, residents of a nursing home or other chronic-care facility, elderly people, and babies are at high risk of severe flu disease. Relatively few swine flu cases have been seen in people over age 65. People in these groups should seek medical care as soon as they get flu symptoms. As far as the shot, I'm allergic to it so I'm pretty much SCREWED, but I think it's a dangerous sort of a good idea. I'm kind of undecided about the whole "shot" theory. I think you can help prevent swine flu by NOT EATING OR DRINKING AFTER OTHER PEOPLE, WASHING YOUR HANDS REGULARLY, and AVOIDING BEING AROUND PEOPLE WHO HAVE IT. I feel about the same about the swine flu since I researched it. It still scares me because I don't want my premature daughter to catch it. I have to take all possible precautions to protect her. I think all of us have a civil responsibility to help prevent swine flu in our community. We should all practice good hygiene, cover our coughs and sneezes, and wear medical masks if we are infected to help prevent others from catching it. Everyone who is infected should get treatment IMMEDIATELY. We've GOT to STOP this thing!!
Very well researched post. I am continually impressed with your ability to organize your thoughts and ideas and present them in a clear and concise manner that captures the reader's attention. You are absolutely right it is our responsibility to prevent the spread of this viruse and exercising proper hygiene and seeking immediate medical treatmet is key.
ReplyDelete