Swine Flu: A Great Matter of Concern

If we think about some thousands of years ago we will notice that there were no or negligible number of diseases. But, as man went on progressing, there was a very high rise in the number of diseases and today we have many types of diseases. The present situation is so worse that we have to classify all the diseases into various categories. Some of the categories are: Curable diseases, incurable diseases, communicable diseases, incommunicable diseases, etc. In the year 2009, a disease ‘Swine flu’ which spreads due to H1N1 virus is on the rise.

This disease is really a matter of concern for the whole world. Many measures are taken to stop or at the least prevent the epidemic of this disease. This dreadful disease spreads from pigs. This is a communicable disease and so can spread from one person to another. It can spread by having a direct contact with the infected person. This H1N1 virus was previously not reported in the pigs but is discovered in recent times.

This disease has claimed many lives in many of the countries. Mexico is the worst affected due to the same. In total, there are 1,516 of total confirmed cases till date from which 822 are Mexican and 403 reside in US. In total 22 countries are affected due to this flu. The following are some do’s to prevent this dreaded flu:

Do’s to prevent Swine flu:

1. Cover your mouth with a clean handkerchief while coughing or sneezing.
2. Wash your face, legs and hands after coming from outside.
3. Avoid visiting crowded places.
4. Avoid direct contact with the affected person or keep at least an arm’s distance between you and the infected person.
5. Manage to drink plenty of water and eat healthy and nutritious food.
6. Cover your mouth with some type of cloth or handkerchief.
7. Try to keep your surroundings clean.
8. Try to take cautions while visiting the affected countries.

Now that you have known what to do to prevent the flu, let us also have a look at the don’ts. The don’ts go as follows:

1. Don’t shake hands, hug and kiss or have direct contact socially.
2. Don’t take any medicines without the prescription of a proper and qualified doctor.
3. Don’t spit in public places.

Now, you know what to do and what not to, to prevent yourself from acquiring this disease. Let us also learn the symptoms of this disease.

Swine flu, also known as H1N1 virus or Influenza A, has the following symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing. If you find such cases in your neighborhood then kindly inform the nearest outbreak monitoring cell.

If you are affected with this disease then keep your calm and have a look at the following points:

If you are affected:

1. Try avoiding coughing or sneezing into bare hands.
2. Cover your mouth with a cloth or handkerchief while coughing or sneezing.
3. Try not visiting social places and limit your outings.
4. Seek medical advice.
   
   

   
   

   

   Image via Wikipedia

So, you have it. All information you need to fight Swine flu. Let us hope the epidemic of this disease does not spread further.