What is Swine Flu?:

Swine flu is a type of virus. It's named for a virus that pigs can get and that rarely, but occasionally does show up in humans. Sometimes the strain mutates and can transfer to a human who works around swine, and then from there can pass it to others.

What are the symptoms?:

The symptoms are very similar to influenza. They include:

-Chills
-Fever
-Sore Throat
-Muscle Pains
-Severe Headache
-Coughing
-Weakness

What distinguishes the two are the following:

-Difficulty breathing
-Dizziness
-Confusion
-Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach

The more recent 2009 outbreaks have reported diarrhea and vomiting. If you feel you have Swine Flu you should get to the doctor immediately and try and keep away from public places where you might contaminate others until tested. There are treatments that can help you get better, faster if caught early (within 2 days of the symptoms) it is said to be working. So if you think you've caught it, it would be in your best interest to get to the doctor as soon as possible.

How can I prevent myself from catching Swine Flu?:

WASH YOUR HANDS! Carry around hand sanitizers that are alcohol based for when you go out into the public. You should keep up with a healthy diet, get your sleep, and exercise to keep your health up.

A few sources
Wikipedia Article
CDC article
WHO site
Reuters

Post edited at 6:59 pm on April 30, 2009 by greatescape

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Gamer Tag: BLANK1TA

Post edited at 3:57 pm on April 28, 2009 by Cyanotype

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xsharpi, I disagree... washing your hands is fully recommended, using soap, of course, but using sanitizers is quite unsafe, mostly with those alcohol based. Some alcohols are used to fix samples to the slides, and the WHO said clearly that the same can happen with those on the human skin without actually killing the actual virus.

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Hand Sanitizers KILL the germs.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100237427>1=31036

Post edited at 4:16 pm on April 28, 2009 by Lady Catastrophic

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Gamer Tag: BLANK1TA

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Quote: from handsfree at 5:08 pm on April 28, 2009

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xsharpi, I disagree... washing your hands is fully recommended, using soap, of course, but using sanitizers is quite unsafe, mostly with those alcohol based. Some alcohols are used to fix samples to the slides, and the WHO said clearly that the same can happen with those on the human skin without actually killing the actual virus.  

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Hand Sanitizers KILL the germs.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100237427>1=31036

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Okay, but that's MSN, I'm quoting the World Health Organization, see?

I don't think of MSN as a reliable source. But in order to be sure, lemme search for the specific article I read directly from http://www.who.int

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ay no mames!

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xsharpi, I disagree... washing your hands is fully recommended, using soap, of course, but using sanitizers is quite unsafe, mostly with those alcohol based. Some alcohols are used to fix samples to the slides, and the WHO said clearly that the same can happen with those on the human skin without actually killing the actual virus.

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Quote: from handsfree at 5:08 pm on April 28, 2009

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xsharpi, I disagree... washing your hands is fully recommended, using soap, of course, but using sanitizers is quite unsafe, mostly with those alcohol based. Some alcohols are used to fix samples to the slides, and the WHO said clearly that the same can happen with those on the human skin without actually killing the actual virus.  

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Hand Sanitizers KILL the germs.

http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100237427>1=31036

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They also kill GOOD germs that actually help build your immune system. I have an issue with sanitizers. Most of my mates who use them get sick more often than I do.

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I don't give a shit about the CIA and their tropped up
evidence, Bond is my agent and I trust him

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I always have hand sanitizer on me, even before all this swine flu.

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haha me too!

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Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again