Swine Influenza (Flu) 2009

Swine flu, like all strains of influenza, is a viral infection that affects the airways. It is a serious illness. Symptoms may include: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue; and with this particular strain, a few more patients than usual have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

How Can You Avoid Getting the Swine Flu? 

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

• 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. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What Should You Do if You Have a Lung Health Condition Such as Asthma or COPD?

You may not readily associate some symptoms with Swine Flu. If you are living with lung disease and notice a cough, more shortness of breath than usual, and a runny or stuffy nose, be on the alert for other symptoms that are unique to the flu such as: high fever with chills, aching, tender muscles, headache, extreme fatigue and loss of energy, and a sore throat. If you have these symptoms you should consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional and be tested.