Reported cases of swine flu in the United States are continuing to climb since last week. On Monday, the World Health Organization reported that 40 cases of swine flu have now been confirmed in the United States.  However, there are breaking reports that there have been 28 cases of swine flu among high school students in a New York City school. Many more cases are likely.

Swine flu is mainly spread from person to person when the virus is carried in droplets from coughing or sneezing of infected people. You can also become exposed by touching contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs, and then touching your mouth or nose. In the past, most cases of swine flu in people were those who were in close contact with pigs. The swine flu virus may be shed by infected people beginning 1 day before symptoms and up to 7 or more days after symptoms start. 

Typical symptoms of swine flu are similar to the regular flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some infected people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting with the new swine flu.

The regular seasonal flu vaccine does not cover the new swine flu virus, but there are ways to reduce your risk of getting swine flu. Here are 7 tips for preventing the swine flu from affecting you:

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water for 15 to 20 seconds. Try to do this after you cough or sneeze or touch surfaces in public places. If soap is not available, carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze. And immediately dispose of the tissue after use.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as the flu virus can enter your body that way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people and avoid places with large numbers of sick people such as hospitals.
• If you have flu symptoms, call your doctor to see if you should receive one f the recommended prescription drugs. The swine flu virus is susceptible to the prescription flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.
• If you think you may have the flu, stay home from work or school and avoid close contact with family members and others.
• Avoid direct contact with pigs. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.

Share your tips about how to stay away from the swine flu or ask a question about swine flu on Healia Communities.


_{Photo: Mussels, Flickr, Creative Commons}