Guide to surviving Swine flu

The number of swine flu cases is rising at an alarming rate with more and more people worrying about catching the disease, Anyone can catch swine flu and those most likely to get the severe symptoms are children under 5, diabetics, people with heart and chest problems and the over-65's. It is very rarely that people will die from swine flu alone the chances of dieing  are more likely to occur when other complications are present, such as pneumonia

steps to control swine flu

1: washingyour hands with soap removes virus particles,

2: Don't go to work, staying at home will prevent people from catching your virus.

3:Stock up with items you may need, tissues, paracetamol, etc

4: Try not to touch your face, don't pick your nose or bite your nails.

5:Stay in touch with people, if some one you know is unwell ring them regularly to make sure they are OK.

6: Use disposable tissues rather than handkerchiefs to catch germs from coughs and sneezes, and dispose of the tissue afterwards.

Swine flu symptoms will consist of a fever, cough, sore throat, sneezing or runny nose, aches and pains, headaches, and generally feeling unwell which is very similar to the ordinary flu that most of us get, The swine flu in most cases will only last a week but individual circumstances can effect the length of infection, Doctors say that one victim in three will not even realise that they have had the virus so don't panic,

What should you do if you think you have swine flu: Most importantly don't panic,stay calm and ring the doctor and explain your symptoms, It is important not to visit a surgery or hospital as you will only spread the disease and if you have got it you could pick up other disease that could put you in to higher danger, If you are in a high risk category your doctor will prescribe you with some anti-viral drugs the most common being Tamiflu, these are not cures but they will make the symptoms a lot better and shorten the length of the illness, but apart from that stay at home, drink plenty of fluids and take paracetamol or ibuprofen. If you are given a prescription for Tamiflu do not collect it your self, stay in and get a friend or family member to collect it for you, The key ways to surviving swine flu are to stay in, drink plenty of fluids and try to rest, currently a vaccine is being developed and will hopefully be available in the coming months,