SWINE FLU

Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus. It's named for a virus that pigs can get. The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of a influenza A virus subtype H1N1. Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human,with cooked pork products safe to eat as the virus can't be transmitted by eating foods.The CDC[Centers for disease control and prevention] has noted that most infections continue to be mild—similar to seasonal flu—and recovery is extremely quick.People at higher risk of serious complications included people age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or a weakened immune system (e.g., taking immunosupressive medications or infected with HIV).Certain symptoms may require emergency medical attention. In children signs of respiratory distress, for instance, those might include blue lips and skin, rapid breathing, excessive sleeping, seizures and significant irritability that includes a lack of desire to be held. In adults, shortness of breath, pain in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness or confusion may indicate the need for emergency care. In both children and adults, persistent vomiting or the return of flu-like symptoms that include a fever and cough may require medical attention.

PREVENTION:There are antiviral medicines you can take to prevent or treat swine flu. There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. You can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by:
#Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
#Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
#Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
#Trying to avoid close contact with sick people.
#Staying home from work or school if you are sick.

*Then there's yoga guru Baba Ramdev's herbal cure to prevent swine flu- a drink concocted from giloye ( Tinospora cordifolia ) and tulsi ( sweet basil).Also stuffing ghee up your nose or massaging your feet with mustard oil are among the many traditional remedies being suggested to fight H1N1.