What is Swine flu and it's history

What is the Swine Flu?
The swine flu is a potentially deadly strain of the influenza virus.  The virus has DNA from North American Swine (pigs), avian influenza, human influenza, and swine influenza.  Hence the name “swine flu”.  The CDC is working closely with health officials to have a positive outcome and has approved the use of some prescription antiviral drugs to treat and prevent the virus.

History of the Swine Flu:
Is a strain of influenza that has happened before in 1976.  The first (in this break out) and only individual died within 24 of the initial symptoms and 500 people on the military base where this broke out caught the possibly deadly flu.  Luckily no one else died from the swine flu in 1976.  However the CDC and government were not willing to risk another plague like the one in 1918-1919.  It was the government’s decision to issue a nationwide inoculation to the flu strain, but it wasn’t the flu that seriously injured or killed hundreds of Americans, this time it was the inoculation. 

President Ford's decision to inoculate 220 million Americans was in response to the fear that the swine flu could be as devastating as the plague in 1918 and 1919 that killed 500,000 Americans and 20 million world wide.  When faced with these numbers given to you by the experts what decision would you make?

Something similar like this happened a few years back when another president was faced with the rising fear that the bird flu was the next plague.  Perhaps that president allowed himself to learn from history and not allow this tragedy to repeat itself.

Despite these saddening events people to this day still get inoculations to the influenza yearly.  It is important to understand the issues that were happening at the time.  While only one person died this time the last time this struck in 1918 it crippled America. 

General tips to staying healthy:
1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of tissue right away.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water throughout the day. An effective way is to sing the ABC's for the duration of each time you wash your hands. Make sure you scrub your fingernails as well.
3. Some germs spread through openings in the skin. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
4. Most flu's are spread by someone coughing or sneezing and this being transmitted to your body via air or touch. Avoid being around sick people.
5. Do not get others sick, if you get sick please stay home from work or school. If you pass this on you can get it back but the strain could either be stronger or weaker.
6.  Because the break out is rampant in Mexico City travel is not recommended.

It is recommended that if you experience the symptoms listed in this article that you seek out medical attention.

This flu strain has been found in Mexico and America, Canada is looking into whether or not this strain has entered it’s borders.  With travel today, it is possible that this epidemic in Mexico could easily become an pandemic which is one of the fears.  Because of these fears the Center For Disease Control (CDC) is working closely with professionals in Mexico and Canada. 

History has taught us the worst thing we can do in this situation is to panic.  The people infected in America have survived the virus, to date there are no American deaths.  Mexico, unfortunately, has had over 100 deaths to date.  It is good to be informed and proactive towards the issue.  If you are experiencing symptoms of the flu such as, sore throat, stomach issues, headaches, fever, muscle aches, and respiratory problems.  There is a health alert for these symptoms and it is recommended you seek medical help if you have these symptoms.