Swine flu as it is commonly called is caused by the H1N1 virus which is a very contagious and acute respiratory disease in pigs. It has now jumped over to humans and after first being diagnosed in Mexico has now spread around the world. The H1N1 virus has not been around long enough for extensive data to accumulate but it is pretty safe to assume that it spreads in the same way as any other flu virus.

There are two ways in which a flu virus can be acquired by humans. The airborne virus is the result of coughing and sneezing by infected persons. It is most likely to be encountered in enclosed spaces where large numbers of people are present. You can avoid it by staying away from large gatherings of people and carefully keeping away from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. If an epidemic is taking place in your area it may help to wear a surgical type mask when outside the home. In the workplace anyone who shows flu symptoms or is coughing should be sent home immediately to avoid infecting others. Some people take immense pride in a perfect work attendance record but safety of others must take precedence and the suspected flu case must stay away from work till fully recovered.

The second means by which the swine flu virus may be acquired is by handling any object which has been handled by an infected person. The virus is present in the nose and mouth and will spread to the hands then to anything which is handled. It is necessary to be very thoughtful and vigilant in protecting against this type of infection. You can wash you hands frequently and disinfect them with hand sanitiser and this will keep your hands free of the virus. However as soon as you touch any door handle or other item which hundreds of others may have touched you may be reinfected. Not only door handles but counters in stores and fast food outlets are commonly used as hand rests. Public transit system doors, seat backs and support rails are handled by thousands daily. Even coins and bills which you may receive in change should be suspect. If you should pick up the virus from any such surface and then put your hand to your face you could become infected.

Should you be seriously concerned if there is a swine flu outbreak in your area? Yes you definitely should and you should take all possible precautions to keep you and your family members as safe as possible from infection. Should you panic if there is an outbreak of H1N1? No definitely not. Most cases are quite mild and recovery at home is fast. The infection is no worse than ordinary seasonal flu in nearly all instances. Remember that hundreds of people die every year from the normal seasonal flu and we have no great concern over this. Nor should we be more concerned about swine flu.