Swine Flu Outbreak - Should You Be Concerned?

Concerned about the Swine Flu Outbreak? The Swine Flu virus has medical officials throughout the country working to contain the growing threat. People throughout the world are becoming increasingly worried, 1 out of every 5 persons living in Mexico City are wearing masks to protect themselves against the Swine Flu disease. Many deaths have been caused by the Swine Flu in Mexico city and more are feared. The health department of Mexico said an additional 1,614 reported cases have been documented.

So far, there are confirmed to be only 18 deaths in Mexico City by laboratory tests. In the US, plans have been escalated for a possible Swine Flu virus outbreak after many reports have been received regarding possible infections. The first cases of the virus was reported in Canada on Sunday -- six mild cases.

A highly contagious respiratory sickness Swine Flu is typically only found in pigs. As a type-A influenza virus outbreaks can occur in pigs year-round but normally are rare to spread to humans and even rarer to spread human to human. The current strain is a new variation of an H1N1 virus, which is a mix of human and animal versions.

Normally a swine flu outbreak only spreads from animal to person containing the spread but When the flu spreads person-to-person, it can continue to mutate, making it harder to combat because people have no natural immunity.

Swine Flu symptoms are not much different than the common flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Recently it has been noted that dizziness and vomiting are often associated with this virus strain. Learn more about swine flu and how to treat it in the link below.

As with most flu like viruses the Swine Flu spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes in the presence of other people. Individuals can become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. This is why washing your hands often is still your number 1 defense against disease.

Referred to as a "public health emergency of international concern" the World Health Organization is very worried about the situation. The WHO defines a public health emergency as an occurrence or imminent threat of illness or health conditions caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or highly fatal infectious agents or toxins that pose serious risk to a significant number of people.

Swine Flu Outbreak - How to Protect Yourself?

Follow common-sense instructions - that is the advice of health personnel when discussing protection against this virus. Wash your hands, stay home if you're sick and listen to your local health authorities. The CDC said this about the situation, "Very frequent hand-washing is something that we talk about time and time again and that is an effective way to reduce transmission of disease,". They also advise, "If you're sick, it's very important that people stay at home. If your children are sick, have a fever and flu-like illness, they shouldn't go to school. And if you're ill, you shouldn't get on an airplane or another public transport to travel. Those things are part of personal responsibility in trying to reduce the impact. "

Making matter worse, symptoms are commonly general and not specific in nature when it comes to Swine Flu symptoms. "So many different things can cause these symptoms. it is a dilemma," says one doctor interviewed by a national newspaper. "It is a situation that we are wrestling with. There is no definitive test right now to let the doctor know exactly what this is.". It has been noted that most individuals with Swine Flu had an early on set of fever. Also it was common to see dizziness, body aches and vomiting in addition to the common sneezing, headache and other cold symptoms.

Consult your doctor if you become sick and notice early onset of body aches, vomiting and dizziness. Contracting the disease if very unlikely but you should get medical confirmation just to be safe.

This Swine Flu outbreak could be a very dangerous epidemic or it may turn out to be a quickly passing memory. Doctors have been trying to find where exactly the virus came from, how contagious it is and why it is cold like in some cases and deadly in others. Until this passes, keep your hands clean, use common sense and be vigilant to signs and symptoms of the Swine Flu virus. See you doctor if any unusual flu like symptoms occur.

Follow the link for more information about the Swine Flu Outbreak and how to protect your family.