How to prevent Swine Flu or H1N1

Influenza is spread person to person through coughing and sneezing by people who are infected.One way to avoid getting the swine flu or H1N1 is to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands immediately for no less than 3 minutes with sope and water or alhcohol based hand cleaners. Do not touch your nose, mouth or eyes.
If you should get sick, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the swine flu to others.

Swine Flu in Humans

Can humans catch swine flu?
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.
How common is swine flu infection in humans?
In the past, CDC received reports of approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?
Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information, or go to this website SWINE FLU

Flu Watch

Check to see if influenza is running rampant in your neck of the woods with googles flu trend tracker. CLICK HERE

Influenza

Influenza, more commonly called the flu, is a contagious disease that is accompanied by respiratory problems and fever. It is an uncomfortable illness that is usually not dangerous t otherwise healthy people. Two type of viruses cause influenza: B.
Each type encompasses several different strains that are named for the place where they were first indentified, for example, “Hong Kong Flu” and “Russian Flu.” These unusual characteristic about flu virus is that once one strain spreads throughout a population, the virus strain changes in structure. Therefore, it becomes a new strain carrying a new form of influenza. The antibodies, or protective substances, produced by the body to combat the virus no longer work against recurrence of that virus because the virus has taken on different qualities.

Natural Cures for the Cold and Flu

You don't have to get a cold or the flu this season. This year with the right preparation and quick intervention and natural virus fighters, there's a good chance that you can enjoy this time of the year.

If you feel like a cold is coming on change your diet. Eat light meals. For the first 24 hours drink filtered water, broths and soups with garlic, onions and spices such as turmeric and cayenne, which relieve congestion, and promote circulation and have a natural anti-inflammatory effect. Drink herbal teas, ginger, cinnamon and peppermint. Steamed vegetables are also a good choice. When you are feeling better move on to a normal diet.
Take these supplements when the people around you are sick or when you feel yourself getting sick.
Lomatium dissectum - Women who are pregnant should not take lomatium
Eldeberry
Echinacea
Vitamin C 3,000 to 5,000 mg daily. Some people develop diarrhea from this amount.If this happens just cut back to 3,000mg or less.
As always check with your doctor before taking any medicines including vitamins