Prevent Swine Flu

A virus found in pigs causes swine flu. It is a contagious infection that can spread from one to another. As this pandemic is spreading day by day, it is very important to know the symptoms of the illness and the precautions that one should take to prevent one from acquiring the infection.

Risk Factors

People suffering from asthma, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes and children under the age of 5 are at more risk than others. Persons with lower immune systems are also at greater risk. Now swine flu is affecting adults above the age of 16.

Symptoms

Swine flu starts with sudden fever and cough. Other symptoms include body ache, sore throat, cough, chills, fatigue, sneezing, loss of appetite and diarrhoea. In swine flu the symptoms grow in 5 days and some respiratory problems also start.

Precautions

Some important precautions should be taken if some disease is spreading with the changing season. Always get the seasonal flu vaccination done for you and your family members.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue whenever you sneeze or cough. Wash your hands with soap whenever you sneeze and do not use the same tissue to clean your hands rather use a new one.

Do not come close to the infected person and do not use or touch anything used by the infected person. Avoid touching your nose or mouth before washing hands as this infection can spread easily by this way. If you are a patient then avoid going out otherwise others can catch the infection.

If you feel the symptoms of flu then do not wait and consult the doctor immediately. As such there is no vaccination for swine flu but 2 to 3 shots of flu vaccination can be helpful.

Nowadays swine flu is spreading so fast that anybody with prolonged viral infection should consult the doctor immediately. Take plenty of rest even if the fever has gone for the next 7 seven days.

The most important precaution for preventing swine flu is to keep yourself and your surroundings neat and clean.