Swine Flu Q&A

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Swine Flu from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs and caused by type A influenza viruses. While outbreaks of this type of flu are common in pigs, human cases of swine flu do happen. In the past, reports of human swine flu have been rare—approximately one infection every one to two years in the U.S. From December 2005 through February 2009, only 12 cases of human infection were documented.

How is it spread?

Humans with direct exposure to pigs are those most commonly infected with swine flu. Yet, human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses have been documented, however it's not known how easily the spread occurs. Just as the common flu is passed along, swine flu is thought to be spread by coughing, sneezing, or touching something with the viruses on it.

If infected, a person may be able to infect another person one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. Thus, a person is able to pass the flu on before they know they are sick. Those with swine flu should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are demonstrating symptoms and up to seven days longer from the onset of their illness. Children might be contagious for longer periods of time.

Can I catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. The CDC says that swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food. Properly cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills all bacteria and viruses.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of a regular flu: fever and chills, sore throat, cough, headache, body aches, and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting can also be present. Without a specific lab test, it is impossible to know whether you may be suffering from swine flu or another flu strain.

What precautionary measures should I take?

The same everyday precautions that you take to prevent other contagious viruses should be used to protect yourself against swine flu. "The best current advice is for individuals to practice good hand hygiene. Periodic hand washing with soap and water, or the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hand washing is not possible, is a good preventive measure. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs can more easily gain entrance into your body through those areas," suggests medical authorities. Covering your mouth with a disposable tissue when you cough and sneeze is also a good practice.

The CDC recommends avoiding contact with sick people and keeping your own good health in check with adequate sleep, exercise, and a nutritious diet.

What should you do if you think you are sick with swine flu?

Contact your health care professional, inform them of your symptoms, and ask whether you should be tested for swine flu. Be prepared to give details on how long you've been feeling ill and about any recent travels. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you feel sick, but are not sure what illness you may have, stay home until you have been diagnosed properly to avoid spreading any infection.

Watch for these symptoms in children. Seek emergency medical care if your child experiences any of the following warning signs:
• Fever with a rash
• Dehydration
• Fast breathing
• Bluish skin coloration
• Slow to wake or sluggish interaction
• Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return and cough worsens
• Severe irritability

For adults, emergency medical care is needed if you experience these warning signs:
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Pain/pressure in the chest or stomach

Remember that the symptoms for swine flu are almost identical to those you might experience with the regular flu. Only your doctor can give you the correct diagnosis.

Are there medicines effective in treating swine flu in humans?
The swine flu responds to the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for those infected. For treatment, these antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

For more information check out the following sites
• CDC's Swine Flu web site
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Infectious Diseases: How they spread and how to stop them

Do you celebrate Jesus or the Easter Bunny?

Easter is Sunday. Easter is the name for the day when Jesus was resurrected from the dead three days after his crucifixion. It is celebrated two days after Good Friday. The date of Easter is not fixed to a numerical calendar date. Easter falls at some point between March and April each year according to the cycle of the Moon. Easter is the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first moon whose 14th day is on or after March 21. For the non-astrologist, it’s written on the calendar.

The customs and traditions of using eggs have been associated with Easter for centuries. The egg is seen as symbolic of the grave and life renewed or resurrected by breaking out of it. The egg is symbolic of Jesus’ resurrection, while being dormant it contains a new life sealed within it. Traditionally, Easter eggs were dyed red to represent the blood of Christ, shed on the Cross, and the hard shell of the egg symbolized the sealed Tomb of Christ. Cracking the egg symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The Easter Bunny has no symbolic meaning in reference to Easter. It is just a stretch of the imagination that makes the holiday appealing to children and non-Christians. Like many holidays and ceremonies, the true meaning is often lost or stretched out of content. There is nothing evil about painting and hiding eggs and having children search for them. The important thing is that we focus on Jesus Christ and not the eggs, our children will understand that the eggs are just a game as long as the true meaning of the day is explained and emphasized.As for me and my family, on Easter we will be celebrating the fact that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected on the third day after his death. Thank You, Jesus.

U'll never leave where U R Are until U Decide Where U'd Rather B

I was walking around one day at work and I walked past a bulletin board with the following quote written on it; “You’ll Never Leave Where You Are Until You Decide Where You’d Rather Be”. It made me think for a minute about how truthful this quote is. Since that day the quote has remained in my mind sort of like a post it note, to come back and reflect on. The quote simply means you will always be in the same situation until you decide to change to another situation. For example, you will always live in the same house until you decide to move to another house or work in the same job until you decide on another job. Once you decide “where you’d rather be” than you will plan on steps to make the move from the old situation to the new situation. The point is the change will never happen until you decide to make it happen. That is the hard part! Deciding what situation you would rather be in than the one you are in. I can’t help you with that decision, nor can you help me decide. The decision has to be yours as you are the only one who can decide which situation is better for you and when you are ready to leave your current situation. Until that choice is made you will continue to be where you are at now.