The news from WHO (World Health Organization) that the level for the H1N1 "Swine flu" Virus was raised from Level 4 to 5, indicating that a pandemic is imminent, has caused the U.S. Government and many other countries to implement precautionary protocols to prevent and decrease risks of the virus spreading to thousands and potentially millions of people. This has caused many to panic at the thought of a possible repeat of the 1918 pandemic flu that killed millions of people. The question we need to address and to put into perspective when discussing the new virus threat is how much risk are we really facing, considering that the last potential pandemic scare during the SARS virus outbreak just fizzled out over a short period of time and that each year thousands of people die from the common household flu. We have been inundated and saturated with mass media coverage about the Swine flu virus, and although it is better to be informed and educated on this subject, I do believe it has contributed to the mass panic that has ensued in both our local and global communities. In this article I will offer some tips on prevent the Swine flu virus panic.
Instructions
1. Be properly educated and informed about the latest news and research from credible, reliable sources and not by word of mouth. Misinformation is commonly found in the media, especially on the Internet. Search governmental and health institution websites such as National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest information on the H1N1 virus (see Resources below).
2. Be safe and take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. Practice personal hygiene protocols like washing your hands properly and covering your mouth or turning your head when coughing or sneezing. Educate your younger children and teens about the importance of this practice for not only preventing contraction of the H1N1 virus, but other common diseases and illnesses as well.
3. Speak to your healthcare provider if you suspect you or another person might have been exposed to the H1N1 virus and are exhibitng "flu-like" symptoms. Don't rush to your nearest ER if you do not have "flu" symptoms. Understand that the H1N1 virus does not currently have a vaccine to kill the virus, and asking for a flu shot or Tamiflu injection will not give you protection from contracting the virus. Tamiflu will only shorten the duration and severity of the symptoms, but will not kill the virus.
4. Be sensible and have perspective on the current situation. Public transportation and traveling to other states and coutries is safe, except there will be an increased risk in specific regions and countries. Mexico, as you know, is considered to be the epicenter for the source outbreak of the H1N1 virus, so don't travel there unless you have to. It is still safe, however, to take public transportation including trains, subways, buses and airplanes.
Tags: H1N1 virus, have been, kill virus, millions people, Swine Virus