Swine Flu/H1N1

With all the incidences of Swine Flu in our community - I wanted to know what it is, when did it first appear and how to prevent it from spreading this is what I learned.  I went to wikipedia and looked up some information to educate myself.  What I've gleaned makes up the information shared below.  (It is pretty much a shortened rewording of what you will find at wikipedia - follow the link to the actual page by pressing on the title above.)

WHAT IS SWINE FLU?

Swine flu is a virus that is common in pig farming all over the world, it isn't common for it to jump to humans, but when it does it causes human influenza.  Then it is called Zoonotic swine flu.   Of course those people who are around pigs more are more likely to contract Swine flu.  Humans can not contract the virus from eating pork meat of any kind when properly cooked.
 

SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms of Zoonotic Swine Flu in humans are similar to those of influenza - meaning you get chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headaches, coughing, weakness and discomfort.


HISTORY:
If you are like me you probably thought that Swine Flu is new but the first outbreak of this flu was in 1918.  First identification of this flu happened in 1930.  For the next 60 years, almost all strains of the swine flu were H1N1.   The development of about five new strains in the years of 1997-2002.  H3N2 strains were found in 1997-1998.  Other strains were H3N2 that added to H1N1 produced H1N2.  In 1999 in Canada there was a strain of H4N6 that jumped from birds to pigs but it was contained on one farm.

The H1N1 strain comes from the same strain that caused the 1918 flu pandemic and has been among humans through the 20th century - adding to the normal seasonal epidemics of influenza.  Only 12 cases of the flu going from pigs to humans has happened in the U.S. since 2005.  Though when the flu seams to leave the human population the pig population keeps the flu around so that it can emerge again to infect humans when our immunity weakness against it again.   (You can find more information of the history of Swine flu by going to the wikipedia - link found in the title of this blog post.  All the above information is a shortening of what I found there.)

THE CURRENT OUT BREAK:
For the current outbreak the source of swine flu is the H1N1 called the "swine flu" because of it's seeming origin from the pig population.   If you want all the details you can follow this link to the wikipedia page:  2009 flu pandemic  there you will find all the information on the current outbreak and links to other resources.

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY AND YOURSELF:
So what our Mom taught us applies, wash your hands if you cough or sneeze, use the bathroom or touch other people or surfaces especially money.  It isn't recommended that you go around with a mask unless you have an immune system that is already compromised or if you work in a medical setting.  As with any flu it is the most dangerous to the old and the very young.  The truth of the matter is this flu is here.  We can panic about it or we can realize that once our immunities to this virus have built up, our body will be able to fight it off and then this strain of the virus will go back to the swine community.

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN
I know that we hate it when we see kids wipe their nose on their sleeve but that is actually better than them wiping it on their hands and then climbing or touching you.  Teach your children if they don't have a tissue to use their sleeve.  To wash their hands after they cough or sneeze.  I would stay away from antibacterial soaps and instead use 100% alcohol gels.  Please everyone use the wipes provided at large discount chains and food stores.   And if you or your children are sick - PLEASE STAY HOME!

Here is a link to a free download to a song by Bill Harley for Kids called WASH YOUR HANDS

Here is a link for a PDF from Kid Scoop: GERM Patrol that can help you teach your kids why and how they should wash their hands.