The swine flu caused a scare when it first flared up in April of 2009. Comparisons to the 1976 swine flu are prevalent among scholars and doctors, though the 2009 swine flu is causing difficulties all over again because it is a compilation of four flues and there is yet to be an inoculation against it. The flu spread like wildfire through Mexico and much of America, causing schools and businesses to close and people to stay inside and quarantine themselves. There were also embargoes on pork products and many people abstaining from eating pork for fear of contracting the disease. Much of the hysteria is dying down as doctors work on a vaccination and many of the myths around the disease die off, but since there are still many people nervous about this disease turning pandemic or epidemic, read on for some facts about the swine flu and why it’s best to relax and take a common sense approach.
The reason that the swine flu became so quickly widespread is because it is a compilation of four different influenza which grouped together to create a flu that humans have little immunity to. This allows the virus to spread through the human population very quickly and easily. There will be a vaccination, but it is still in the works and in the meantime, the disease is being allowed to spread. This is one of the main reasons that the disease is being touted as a pandemic by the World Health Organization and many fear that it will turn into epidemic. This has prompted many people to buy things like face masks to keep the virus out. Face masks work very well in keeping people free from the swine influenza, but there are other ways of making sure that this disease will not turn into an epidemic and these are simple things that anyone can do.
Washing your hands with plenty of soap or water is the easiest way to prevent the spread of viruses. Wearing a face mask is also another way to protect yourself from the virus, but you should probably only have to wear one if you’re going to an area with a high rate of influenza, otherwise, you might feel a bit silly. Many people are still traveling to places like Mexico where there is a high rate of influenza and they are simply taking stronger measures to protect themselves successfully.
If you do get sick, it’s best to simply quarantine yourself for the duration of the illness and only be tended by one person instead of an entire household. Stay home from work/school and take care of yourself so that the disease won’t spread or make you sicker.
Finally, it was proven by doctors and scientists that the swine flu is not transferable through pork products such as bacon and ham as long as you cook the pork properly. There is no reason to fear pork products, so if you enjoy bacon with your breakfast, you can keep enjoying it.
In short, by doing these simple things, you can help prevent the swine flu from being epidemic and keep everyone around you healthy.
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