It seems that nowadays viruses are in the air and even the air that we breathe is contaminated which to somehow is pretty true for Karachi, because of the high intensity air pollution here.

When it comes to common cold, seasonal flu almost each one of us goes through it especially in winters, from slight coughing to low grade fever more or less we do have one or the other symptoms.

Children and infants however are likely to suffer more due to their low immunity and so we are more concerned about them and this time is also like a cash cow for the doctors especially pediatricians.

But how do we know that the flu is just regular flu and not something serious or even deadly what if it is Swine Flu?

For those who believe that Swine flu has more occurrence in places that have pigs/ swines in the vicinity. And since we hardly see any pigs in Karachi this should not be a matter to concern to us.

False!

Experts warn of swine flu outbreak

Once a virus spreads and especially flu virus it will spread by air borne droplets and from person to person in close contact when they sneeze or cough, or by sharing towels, utensils and even by touching surfaces that’s been touched or handles by the infected person.

Swine Flu has already made its way in Punjab….Lahore has also witnessed a death because of swine flu as an elderly woman died due to the disease shared via

Year’s first swine flu death reported in Lahore, toll reaches three in Punjab.

What is Swine Flu?

Swine flu, also known as 2009 H1N1 type A influenza, is a human disease. People get the disease from other people, not from pigs via Swine Flu FAQ

Since one thing is clear that it does not spread from pigs to humans rather from human to human how do we protect ourselves.

Precautions or Prevention from Swine Flu

• Stay home if you’re sick. If you have swine flu (H1N1 flu), you can give it to others. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently. Use soap and water, or if they’re unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Contain your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. To avoid contaminating your hands, cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inner crook of your elbow.
• Avoid contact. Stay away from crowds if possible. And if you’re at high risk of complications from the flu — for example, you’re younger than 5 or you’re 65 or older, you’re pregnant, or you have a chronic medical condition such as asthma — consider avoiding swine barns at seasonal fairs and elsewhere.
• Reduce exposure within your household. If a member of your household has swine flu, designate only one household member to be responsible for the ill person’s personal care.

shared via Swine flu (H1N1 flu)