Human Trials of H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Set for August

As the swine flu scare sweeps the world, the United States plans to start human trials of an experimental vaccine that will hopefully prevent the H1N1 influenza virus from wreaking any more havoc on the nation. Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, this study is a step towards meeting the U.S. government's goal of having a swine flu vaccine available before the flu season starts in the fall.

The first study will start this August, involving 1,000 adult and children volunteers, according to a news release by the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development. This center is just one of the many across the United States that will be recruiting volunteers and testing the vaccine. The H1N1 swine flu outbreak has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, with medical experts predicting a severe increase in the illness for the flu season beginning this September.

So how do we agoraphobics avoid becoming deathly ill with the H1N1 swine flu this fall? Simply follow the same common sense tips your mother gave you for avoiding the cold. Because as we know, mothers know best! Stay home if you are feeling sick, don't cough or sneeze into the air, wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, and visit your doctor if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

For those who don't know, or who want to brush up on their flu knowledge, flu-like symptoms encompass the following: runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, headaches, tiredness, lack of appetite, chills, or a high fever. What you should be aware of is the fact that swine flu is spread by coming into direct contact with the respiratory secretions of someone infected with the H1N1 swine flu virus.

This does not mean you have to wear one of those ridiculous medical masks every time you step foot outside your door. I mean come on, those things are what made us scared of dentists when we were little. It is important to practice health precautions and to be aware and knowledgeable about swine flu symptoms. However, we do not need to become paranoid people peeking out of our windows, terrified of the swine flu that might be lurking just around the corner.

I know it seems unfair, with all the other things in the world we have to worry about these days. With global warming throwing our environment out of whack, inhumane living conditions continuing to annihilate those in developing nations, and even a king of pop dying unexpectedly this summer, what else can we possibly deal with? I know it's hard, but we need to stay strong, continue searching for solutions, and just know that something else will probably happen soon to take our minds off the whole swine flu thing.

Source: University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Vaccine Development