Some people that I know, believe that all the commotion about Swine Flu (H1N1), is exaggerated more than the reality of the situation. Of course, none of these folks that I know, are experts in the health arena, nor am I! But, it never hurts to be proactive when it comes to your health. So, I looked around for some basic, common sense, information on this topic.
My first questions was, "What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people"? After all, I'd like to know what this invisible beast looks like. Per the CDC (Center For Disease Control & Prevention), the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention in children included:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash
Emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention in adults included:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
What you can do to protect yourself?:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
As I mentioned above, being proactive towards your health, is the best medicine that anyone can practice. Common knowledge these days, tells us that the foods that we consume don't provide enough natural supplementation that most folks need. That's why it's a good idea to research and consider natural health supplements to improve one's overall health. Additionally, a good immune booster wouldn't be a bad addition, especially with everything going on right now. Lastly, don't forget to separate/remove yourself, from as many toxins as you reasonably can.
