Ways to fight the swine flu
Erin McCarthy
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Opinion
Pigs have been catching quite a bit of flack lately.
Despite having documented intelligence that rivals that of dogs, this mud-loving, sweatless creature is being blamed for over a thousand suspected cases of swine flu and 20 deaths.
Stemming from Mexico, swine flu has been confirmed in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Israel and New Zealand. Additionally, there are suspected cases in Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, Australia and South Korea. By these numbers, one might even wonder if swine flu isn't the new pink.
OK, maybe not, but the World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert status to level four on Monday, which means there have been confirmed human-to-human transmission and community-level outbreaks.
While the name makes it easy for people to blame pigs for this impending pandemic, I would like to remind everyone of the facts on swine flu.
According to www.medicinenet.com, swine flu is a respiratory disease that is spread through coughing and sneezing, and symptoms mimic those of the normal flu (i.e. vomiting, chills, fever, muscle aches and fatigue). Furthermore, good hygiene like washing hands thoroughly can often help reduce transmission.
Sound familiar?
The only factor that makes this virus different from the influenza to which we're all accustomed is that it contains genetic material from pigs, birds and humans. Since most humans have never been exposed to the new strain, we are a lot more susceptible to it and it is much more difficult to contain.
While it is true that this is all pretty bad news, I still do not think it is any reason to panic or lock ourselves up until it passes. If we simply use our brains and take the same precautions as during the regular cold and flu season, I truly believe this can be avoided.
Wash your hands.
Mary Margaret Harris, director of Beu Health Center, has been pushing this idea for years, and so has your mother. Nearly all communicable diseases are spread through touching hands, so just 20 seconds of hand washing can save you from ending up with a nasty illness. If water is not available, reach for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, because it can greatly reduce the disease causing germs on your hands.
Despite having documented intelligence that rivals that of dogs, this mud-loving, sweatless creature is being blamed for over a thousand suspected cases of swine flu and 20 deaths.
Stemming from Mexico, swine flu has been confirmed in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Israel and New Zealand. Additionally, there are suspected cases in Guatemala, Peru, Brazil, Australia and South Korea. By these numbers, one might even wonder if swine flu isn't the new pink.
OK, maybe not, but the World Health Organization raised its pandemic alert status to level four on Monday, which means there have been confirmed human-to-human transmission and community-level outbreaks.
While the name makes it easy for people to blame pigs for this impending pandemic, I would like to remind everyone of the facts on swine flu.
According to www.medicinenet.com, swine flu is a respiratory disease that is spread through coughing and sneezing, and symptoms mimic those of the normal flu (i.e. vomiting, chills, fever, muscle aches and fatigue). Furthermore, good hygiene like washing hands thoroughly can often help reduce transmission.
Sound familiar?
The only factor that makes this virus different from the influenza to which we're all accustomed is that it contains genetic material from pigs, birds and humans. Since most humans have never been exposed to the new strain, we are a lot more susceptible to it and it is much more difficult to contain.
While it is true that this is all pretty bad news, I still do not think it is any reason to panic or lock ourselves up until it passes. If we simply use our brains and take the same precautions as during the regular cold and flu season, I truly believe this can be avoided.
Wash your hands.
Mary Margaret Harris, director of Beu Health Center, has been pushing this idea for years, and so has your mother. Nearly all communicable diseases are spread through touching hands, so just 20 seconds of hand washing can save you from ending up with a nasty illness. If water is not available, reach for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, because it can greatly reduce the disease causing germs on your hands.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Calm Down People
posted 4/29/09 @ 2:50 AM CST
The way this whole swine flu thing is being blown out of proportion is ludicrous. I'm already sick of hearing about it. Yes, it is definitely cause for concern and heightened awareness, but the media is treating this like it's akin to "Captain Trips" from the book The Stand. (Continued…)
Erin
posted 4/29/09 @ 5:48 PM CST
Amen
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