Help Prevent a Swine Flu Infection

A report from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology is forecasting that as many as half of the population of the United States could potentially come down with H1N1, more commonly referred to as "swine flu." They also predict the possibility of somewhere between 30,000 and 90,000 deaths from the H1N1 virus. If this is the case, swine flu fatalities would more than double the average amount for a typical flu season.

Unlike a typical flu, the swine flu is more likely to affect children and young adults. Whereas the normal flu season claims elderly people as victims, U.S. Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius has said the swine flu "hasn't yet affected seniors." This is good news for the elder generations, but definitely concerning for parents with school- and college-aged sons and daughters. Even those in the mid-twenties to early-thirties could be at risk from the swine flu.

With the season of this virus fast approaching, what kinds of measures can be done to keep the swine flu at bay?

Washing hands. This is the first line of defense against the swine flu. Always remember to wash your hands after blowing your nose or sneezing. This particular measure is more effective perhaps for preventing the spread of the swine flu towards others, but it should be done out of consideration for others. A pandemic becomes the concern of all parties in a civilization. The swine flu is not just someone else's problem. It will possibly affect all of us in some regard.

You also want to wash your hands after coming into contact with objects someone else has handled. It may not seem significant, but even an act as simple as borrowing a pen could open the doorway for the virus to travel onto you. Bathrooms are an especially inviting environment for virus contamination, so be sure to wash your hand thoroughly when you go and consider using paper towel as a barrier for when you open the door to leave.

The above hand washing tips are important, but this one is absolutely vital. Make sure you wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Those particular parts of your body constitute the doors in which the swine flu could enter. Be careful when touching them with your hands. This includes when you eat, too.

Minimize your exposure. If you are under the impression a co-worker or friend is unusually ill, take precaution and try to keep some distance. If he/she has the swine flu, you obviously do not want to be near them and catch it yourself. As such, it is much safer to assume they might and avoid them as much as possible. One nice thing about the age in which we live is that the swine flu cannot be transmitted via the internet or over the phone. We live in a communication world and staying physically away doesn't mean you need to neglect your family or friends.

Be careful of what you eat. This tip is not a how-to-lose-weight kind of suggestion; rather it is intended to convey the potential for food contamination from flies or insects. Be alert as to any food you leave uncovered. Humans are definitely potential vessels for the swine flu, but don't forget that the plague which wiped out much of London in the Dark Ages was spread by rodents.

Make sure the water you drink is treated. Viruses can be transmitted in all sorts of various methods and water contamination is a possibility, too. If you live in the city, the odds are great that your water is treated and probably not a huge risk of carrying the swine flu. If you depend on well water, though, please make sure it is filtered before you drink any of it.

Get a flu shot. Taking a precaution like this might just save your life. The swine flu is an especially potent strand and any defense, just like getting a shot, can prove to be rather beneficial for you. This may seem obvious, but there are people who will refuse to do so, even though it might help ward off the swine flu.

The swine flu is a serious matter, regardless of how accurate the predictions may or may not be. Even if the estimates are wrong and the H1N1 virus is not going to hit us as hard as experts believe, it is considerably better to take precautions and give yourself an advantage just in case. Please stay safe out there.