How to Prevent Swine Flu

Swine flu caused a global pandemic in the year 2009. It is basically a respiratory disorder or infection caused due to the virus H1N1 and its symptoms are similar to that of seasonal flu. Swine flu is actually the influenza caused to pigs and generally it does not infect humans. But the virus H1N1 has certain genetic factors that can affect human health. This virus spreads quickly and easily and hence can take the form of epidemic. The disease being contagious can spread from one person to person. The H1N1 virus affects the respiratory tract, i.e. the nose, throat and lungs. It can pass from the infected person to a healthy person by contaminated nose droplets or contaminated skin surface.

Children and people with weak immune systems are at increased risk of getting this disease. As mentioned earlier, the symptoms of swine flu are very similar to that of seasonal influenza or flu. Here are those symptoms,

• Cough
• Body aches
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Sore throat
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Chills

If you observe more than two symptoms, you must consult a doctor at the earliest and get done the exact diagnosis of the problem.

Ways to Prevent Swine Flu
Prevention of swine flu is necessary to reduce the number of swine flu infections. If proper precautions are taken, one can easily stay away from this fatal disease. Given below are certain ways to prevent swine flu.

Maintain Hygiene:
Maintaining good hygiene is an important step to prevent swine flu. Keep your hands clean all the time by washing them frequently with antibacterial soaps. If it's not possible to carry hand-wash all the time, then use sanitizers. Since the virus enters the body through respiratory tract, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Cover your mouth with handkerchief or disposable tissues, while sneezing and coughing.

Boost up your Immune System:
Consuming certain foods can help to boost up the immune system. Follow a nutritious and healthy diet with lots of green leafy vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C. Foods like garlic have antibiotic properties and help prevent infection. Carrots contain beta-carotene that helps to fight infection. So, try to include these foods items in your diet and stay healthy. Exercising is one more method of boosting immune system. Get good sleep, this will help your body to fight infection.

Avoid Crowds:
Since swine flu spreads easily, you should avoid going to places with public gatherings Avoid direct contact with people. Wash you hands whenever you come in contact with crowd in public places.

Swine Flu in Children:
Maximum cases of swine flu have been observed in children. Closing schools and colleges, is a solution to prevent swine flu in children. Demonstrate the child various preventive steps and make sure your child follows all the precautionary steps like washing hands, avoiding touching mouth, nose, etc.

Workplace Hygiene:
Swine flu can easily spread in workplace due to frequent contact with each other. Maintaining good hygiene by all the employees can help solve the problem. Hard surfaces that are used constantly like door knobs, should be cleaned frequently. Employees should be instructed to follow the preventive measure strictly. Any employee who shows signs of swine flu, should take doctor's consultation and take appropriate treatment. If swine flu is detected, he/she should take leave from work until the problem is recovered.

Wearing surgical masks may not help in preventing swine flu. But it is recommended that people who are infected by swine flu should wear high quality surgical masks. Isolation of such patients is one of the important steps in reducing spread of swine flu. So, now when you know about the prevention of swine flu, follow the above given steps and stay away from H1N1.