What Can You Do to Prevent the Swine Flu?

Well, the flu season is quickly approaching, and the seasonal flu, and current H1N1 strain (swine flu), have not really kicked in yet. There are daily news reports, and most of the swine flu outbreaks at this time appear to be isolated to local areas and neighborhood schools. As the vaccine for H1N1 is currently in production, the mass flu vaccinations are anticipated to begin sometime in October, and health authorities are preparing to vaccinate about half the population over the next few months.

What is the difference between the swine flu and seasonal flu, you ask. Well, the symptoms share similar characteristics, which include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people also get a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. The main difference is in the degree of the symptoms.

While it is understandable confidence in the safety of the swine vaccine is a concern for a lot of people, as we are reminded of the last mass inoculation against the 1976 swine flu where there were rare side effects resulting in a paralyzing condition known as Guillain-Barre syndrome. However, scientists were unable to prove the relationship of the vaccine to the risk of acquiring Guillain-Barre syndrome. The CDC maintains that if the regular winter flu vaccine is related, the risk is no more than a single case per million vaccinated. Thus far, there have been no reported significant side effects, other than the usual expected, with the current vaccine. While this vaccine is slightly different from the seasonal flu vaccine, and as the seasonal virus is not circulating yet, it is advisable to get vaccinated before the seasonal flu begins circulating, to build an immune response.

This H1N1 strain seems to target the young more than the old, and it is anticipated to affect large numbers of children and pregnant women. While the numbers of those affected have been minimal, for the most part, it is anticipated this newest outbreak will affect 50% of the world population as the virus widens its range. I suspect the USA flu outbreak will spike once we get into weather changes and especially when the cold winter weather gets under way.

A virus is smaller than a bacteria molecule. I see a lot of face masks being used worldwide. While this could be helpful to block bacteria, virus molecules are small enough to penetrate through masks. However, there are things you can do that could impact your risk, or at least reduce the risk, for contracting the H1N1, or any strain of flu for that matter. Use disposable tissues, and throw them away. If a tissue is not handy, at least sneeze on your upper sleeve, never in your hand(s). Wash your hands regularly, and especially after shaking hands with someone. A lot of bacteria and viruses are spread through the use of doorknobs. Always use a disposable hand towel when opening a door, especially in public places. The liquid hand sanitizers are cheap, use it!!! and often. There are more germs under your fingernails than you want to know about. Keep your fingernails out of your mouth.

I read a recent article where one doctor offered these suggestions, which makes a lot of sense. He suggests gargling twice a day with warm salt water. Also, blow your nose twice a day. Afterwards, and using a cotton swab, swab your nostrils with warm salt water. While the risk of contracting any form of virus can often be unavoidable, the risk can be minimized by just using common sense and good hygiene practices to avoid cross contamination and spread to others.

Make your own fabric labels

I found this great tutorial for making your own fabric labels. Check it out.

http://patchworkpottery.blogspot.com/2008/09/fabric-labels-tutorial.html