If you haven't heard there has been a recent outbreak of swine flu in Mexico that has caused dozens of deaths. You can read about it here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090424/ap_on_he_me/med_swine_fluAccording to the CDC to prevent the flu:
1.Avoid close contact.Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
2.Stay home when you are sick.If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
3.Cover your mouth and nose.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
4.Clean your hands.Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
5.Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
6.Practice other good health habits.Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
As you know I am very interested in preparedness. My additional recommendations are:
1. Get at least a few weeks of food and water in case of a quarantine.2. Consider getting tamiflu to have on hand. Remember, if there would be a mass epidemic, tamiflu will likely run out.3. Get some face masks. I would recommend N95 Particulate Respirator Masks.4. Don't travel to Mexico. And avoid people who have been to Mexico recently. 5. Increase Vitamin C intake.This a potentially very serious situation. Don't be caught off guard. Remember the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than World War I (WWI) at somewhere between 20 and 40 million people worldwide.(The usual legal disclamer...This is my personal opinion and is not to be taken a medical advice. You need to talk to your physician....There, how was that lawyers?)
