Tips to Help You Avoid Getting Swine Flu

Swine flu is now prevalent in many countries. I first heard of the flu due to the high cases of fatalities in Mexico. When the flu starting spreading to other countries including the UK, obviously everyone felt this was a life and death illness. Although there have been a few cases of people dying from swine flu, these cases seems to be rare in the UK.

The majority of people who get swine flu will only ever have a very mild case. According to my local hospital they state that many people who actually get the virus in the UK don't even know they have it! However, there are ways to protect your family from the illness, advice has been:

1. Washing hands frequently with soap and water. This will reduce the spread of the virus.

2. Clean surfaces such as door handles often. No special agent needs to be used, just your normal cleaning product.

3. Always good advice to cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze, keep tissues to hand and use this.

4. Any tissues used throw in the bin straight away.

The swine flu bug is delicate thus will be killed by washing with soapy water. The bug cannot breed on dry surfaces. So clean surfaces and door handles regularly.

If your child does get the swine flu, they may experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, chills, muscle pain, headaches etc. In fact, the symptoms are very similar to normal flu. You will obviously take your child to your doctor who may give them an antiviral medication. The doctor will also advise you to keep your child at home until the medication is finished, to contain the spread of the virus.

Remember in the UK you can also call a special Swine Flu Information line. In other countries there may well be a similar system set up, please get further advice from your medical practitioner.