LOL @Heidi and Spencer..
but yes I do understand this epidemic is quite deadly though. It even has me a bit hesitant to leave house..paranoid to touch things in public places..&let alone even bumping into people O_o.
So what is the "swine flu" anyway you may ask? well I did a bit of research just to have a clear understanding myself and this is what I found..
WHAT IS SWINE FLU? Swine flu is a form of influenza that originated in pigs but can now be caught by and spread among people. The current outbreak started in Mexico, with cases now confirmed in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, Germany, Austria, Israel, Costa Rica and South Korea. At the time of writing there have been more than 150 confirmed deaths from the infection in Mexico but only one death elsewhere, a 23-month-old Mexican boy in Texas.
HOW DO HUMANS CATCH IT?Swine flu spreads to people in two ways. They can acquire the virus after being in contact with infected pigs or areas where the pigs have been – which is only likely to happen in Mexico – or they can catch it from an infected person. The disease spreads in the same way as human flu, by inhaling airborne particles from coughs and sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the nose or mouth.It should be emphasised that in most cases the infection makes people unwell but is not life-threatening. For reasons that are not yet known, the infection seems to be more severe in Mexico than elsewhere.
HOW CAN I AVOID IT? Virus particles can survive for hours on surfaces such as doorhandles, so it's important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. You should cover your mouth with a handkerchief if you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a handkerchief, cover your mouth with the crook of your elbow rather than your hand. But if you do use your hands when coughing or sneezing, wash them as soon as possible afterwards.Avoid touching your mouth and nose with your hands or rubbing your eyes.
SHOULD I WEAR A MASK? There is little point wearing a mask unless you yourself or someone you are caring for is suspected of having the infection. Masks only work if changed regularly and they get damp easily, becoming an infection risk. Not all masks will be effective.
SYMPTOMS? The symptoms of swine flu are similar to normal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, aching limbs, chills and fatigue. Some patients infected with swine flu have also reported loss of appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting. In very young children, the warning signs include fast or troubled breathing, a bluish skin tone, a failure to interact with others, and being highly irritableBe safe out there people..it's a sick world. LITERALLY.