The recent news about “Swine Flu” has caused widespread concern, perhaps with memories of the SARS outbreak only a few years ago, which ended up killing over 900 people, still fresh in our minds.
Today the Toronto Star provided a helpful list of questions and answers about Swine Flu:
Q: What can I do to prevent myself from getting the flu?
A: Wash your hands and cough in your sleeve. “If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol gel,” advises Dr. Richard Besser.Q: Should I get a seasonal flu shot, and if so why?
A: The seasonal flu shot will not protect against swine flu.Q: Can you get this swine flu from handling or eating pork products?
A: No. “It is perfectly safe to eat pork because that’s not a means of getting swine flu,” Dr. Andrew Simor says. (Read the rest of the Toronto Star’s Q&As)
One question not addressed by the Toronto Star is how does a person know if they have it? The symptoms are very similar to regular flu symptoms, and include fever, cough, headache, general aches, and fatigue. Others who have swine flu also report nausea, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Are you worried about Swine Flu? Do you have feelings of fear for yourself and your loved ones? Please feel free to share your concerns with us in the comments section, by contacting us privately, or exploring our collection of resources for dealing with difficult and stressful times.
Tags: advice, current events, darren hewer, disaster, fear, flu, grief, hope, illness, Men, news, sickness, swine flu, Women
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With the UK confirming two cases of swine flu and the World Health Organization raising its alert level from three to four, the threat does sound quite serious.