What happens if you get Swine Flu?

Answer 1

The Swine Flu is highly contagious amongst those people infected with it -- close contact of any type can pass the virus from one person to the next. Swine flu is spread in much the same way as the seasonal flu variations that go around every year. Similar precautions would be used.

In most cases, you will become very ill with fever, soar throat, diarrhea, and maybe puking. Death is know to occur in the old, young, and people with weak immune stems. The Swine Flu is an aggressive form of the flu and tends to cause extreme dehydration if not treated properly.

The swine flu is highly contagious amongst those people infected with it -- close contact of any type can pass the virus from one person to the next. Swine flu is spread in much the same way as the seasonal flu variations that go around every year. Similar precautions would be used. Avoid sharing drinks, sneezing, coughing, hugging, kissing those infected. Masks help you to not inhale the flu. In Mexico, people have been asked to avoid large crowds, refrain from kissing, and stay at least two meters (six feet) from one another. Troops gave out 4 million filter masks in Mexico City (which has 20 million residents), and schools and universities were closed until further notice. They are also considering shutting down the bus and subway systems. (Source: CNN)

* Avoid anyone who has flu-like symptoms, especially those that have traveled from affected areas (e.g. Mexico) * Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. * Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. * Seek medical help immediately if you begin experiencing fever/sweats/nausea/headaches and other flu-like symptoms

NOTE: It is important not to overreact. If you have a minor headache or stomachache, this does not mean you are dying of swine flu.

Worrying can weaken your immune system and actually make you more prone to illness. "The Swine Influenza A/H1N1 viruses characterized in this outbreak have not been previously detected in pigs or humans." -WHO

This means the flu vaccinations currently available were not for this strain of flu. See link below for very good information. See comments for personal views as well as lots of helpful points. http://www.economist.com/world/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13565479 When you eat pork make sure you cook it thoroughly and always wash your hands.This will increase the possibilities that you will NOT get this flu Vitamin C is known for "boosting" the immune system and studies have been made that suggest it is effective against HIV (in large doses). However no such studies have been done with the Swine Flu, to my knowledge. What can be done by most people, bracing for a possible outbreak; 1) Clean your hands more often than usual, keep unwashed hands away from your face, eyes, and mouth. 2) Increase nutrition and vitamin intake, eat healthier. Probably. Here are a few articles of interest on the subject: http://www.ehow.com/how_4933954_attempt-prevent-swine-flu.html http://www.orthomed.com/auto.htm There is also some good Vitamin C info at: http://www.nutri.com/index.cfm/category/31/vitamin-c.cfm