Associated Press-- A White House report from an expert panel suggests that from 30
percent to half the population could catch swine flu during the
course of this pandemic and that from 30,000 to 90,000 could die.
So how worried should you be and how do you prepare? The
Associated Press has tried to boil down the mass of information
into 10 things you should know to be flu-savvy.
1. No cause for panic.
So far, swine flu isn't much more threatening than regular
seasonal flu.
During the few months of this new flu's existence,
hospitalizations and deaths from it seem to be lower than the
average seen for seasonal flu, and the virus hasn't dramatically
mutated. That's what health officials have observed in the Southern
Hemisphere where flu season is now winding down.
Still, more people are susceptible to swine flu and U.S. health
officials are worried because it hung in so firmly here during the
summer - a time of year the flu usually goes away.
2. Virus tougher on some.
Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups - children under
2, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma,
diabetes and heart disease. Teens and young adults are also more
vulnerable to swine flu.
Ordinary, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest, but not
swine flu. Scientists think older people may have some immunity
from exposure years earlier to viruses similar to swine flu.
3. Wash your hands often and long.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and
sneezes of people who are sick. Emphasize to children that they
should wash with soap and water long enough to finish singing the
alphabet song, "Now I know my ABC's..." Also use alcohol-based
hand sanitizers.
4. Get the kids vaccinated.
These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots,
especially if vaccine supplies are limited - people 6 months to 24
years old, pregnant women, health care workers.
Also a priority: Parents and caregivers of infants, people with
those high-risk medical conditions previously noted.
5. Get your shots early.
Millions of swine flu shots should be available by October. If
you are in one of the priority groups, try to get your shot as
early as possible.
Check with your doctor or local or state health department about
where to do this. Many children should be able to get vaccinated at
school. Permission forms will be sent home in advance.
6. Immunity takes awhile.
Even those first in line for shots won't have immunity until
around Thanksgiving.
That's because it's likely to take two shots, given three weeks
apart, to provide protection. And it takes a week or two after the
last shot for the vaccine to take full effect.
The regular seasonal flu shot should be widely available in
September. People over 50 are urged to be among the first to get
that shot.
7. Vaccines are being tested.
Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and
effective, but they're testing it to make sure.
The federal government has begun studies in eight cities across
the country to assess its effectiveness and figure out the best
dose. Vaccine makers are doing their own tests as well.
8. Help! Surrounded by swine flu.
If an outbreak of swine flu hits your area before you're
vaccinated, be extra cautious.
Stay away from public gathering places like malls, sports events
and churches. Try to keep your distance from people in general.
Keep washing those hands and keep your hands away from your eyes,
nose and mouth.
9. What if you get sick?
If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop
flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away. You may be
prescribed Tamiflu or Relenza. These drugs can reduce the severity
of swine flu if taken right after symptoms start.
If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for kids),
pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising,
go to an emergency room.
Most people, though, should just stay home and rest. Cough into
your elbow or shoulder. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your
fever breaks. Fluids and pain relievers like Tylenol can help with
achiness and fever. Always check with a doctor before giving
children any medicines. Adult cold and flu remedies are not for
them.
10. No swine flu from barbecue.
You can't catch swine flu from pork - or poultry either (even
though it recently turned up in turkeys in Chile). Swine flu is not
spread by handling meat, whether it's raw or cooked.
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New
York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
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