Swine Flu Symptoms and Precautions

About Swine Flu
Swine flu is a Type A influenza virus which causes regular outbreaks of flu in pigs.In late April 2009, the outbreak of more than a thousand cases of swine flu in humans.

Symptoms of Swine Flu
The symptoms of swine flu are usually like those of regular seasonal flu and include:

* headache
* chills
* cough
* fever
* loss of appetite
* aches
* fatigue
* runny nose
* sneezing
* watery eyes
* throat irritation
* nausea and vomiting
* diarrhea
* in people with chronic conditions, pneumonia may develop

Precautions Against Swine Flu
Good standard flu prevention techniques are recommended to protect yourself against swine flu:
* Get a regular seasonal flu vaccination. It might not help against this specific strain, but it won't hurt.
* Wash your hands frequently with soap and hot running water. If hot water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
* When you cough and sneeze, cover your mouth and nose. Wash your hands afterwards.
* Avoid being near others who might be sick.
* Stay home if you are sick, to avoid affecting others.

Precautions for Travellers
* Before you travel, find out what vaccines you will need and where to get them. Visit your family doctor or a travel health clinic at least six weeks before your departure date.
* If you get sick when you are travelling, seek medical assistance.
* If you are sick when you return to Canada, or have been near someone who is, you must tell a customs or quarantine office, who will decide if you need further medical assessment.
* If you get sick after you return to Canada, see a health care provider. Be sure to tell him/her the countries you visited, if you were sick while away and any medical care or treatment your received.