Cough, Cough, Don't Pass It On!

"Cover your mouth when you cough! Keep your germs to yourself!" We have all been told that in the past. But now we are living in a time when doing that becomes critical.

Since the first case of H1N1 discovered in a human back in March 2009, people have been taking precautions. What at first seemed to be a common flu turned into a monster devouring the lives of over a thousand people. For the first time in 41 years a global pandemic had been declared.

This virus moves quickly. Its like a ghost making its way across the continents unseen and uncontrollable. It is hard to know who will be hit next. So Canada has been gathering as many anti-viral drugs as possible. We need to be prepared.

Until a case of swine flu can be identified we won't have a vaccine for it. So people of Canada need to do their part and help prevent it. Health departments have told us to do several things to avoid the spread of the virus. We should be covering our coughs and sneezes. Swine flu travels very easily through the air. When we sneeze into a tissue we should wash our hands thoroughly or use a hand sanitizer to kill bacteria. If you think you are infected with swine flu avoid leaving your home. Also stay away from crowds to avoid the spread. Areas around an infected person should be sanitized. Items or drinks should not be shared with other people who are sick.

Some people may not know that they have swine flu because the symptoms are very similar to that of the regular seasonal flu. Symptoms may include coughing, runny nose, aching, sore throat, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms don't sound too serious, so why are they killing so many people? H1N1 is a respiratory illness. People who have weaker immune systems are more likely to get it. The virus attacks the body's major organs. If it attacks the lungs it can cause pneumonia which can be very deadly.

A second wave of H1N1 is expected to hit this flu season. People have hopes that we can find the technology to treat it. We need to accept the challenge to control it. Help protect yourselves and others this flu season.