Swine flu has the spotlight
today; every media outlet and Internet social networking venue is afire
on news of the new swine flu. With this many people saying something
about one single thing, there is plenty of potential for rumors, myths,
urban legends and other assorted misinformation to form and be
disseminated. Doctors and other health experts are having to constantly
deal with patients asking questions, straightening them out on these
useless myths. Let us try to clear the air a little bit.
Myth: You can catch swine flu only directly from a pig
The truth:The CDC on its website states that swine flu originally came
to infect humans in this way, from pigs, transferred to humans. This
kind of thing usually happens only in places such as farms. In this
current outbreak however, the virus is effective because it has adapted
to moving from one human to another directly with no pig involved in
the middle. When people cough or sneeze, sneeze droplets carry the
virus to the next victim.
Myth: Eating pork is dangerous this season because you can catch swine
flu
The truth: Pork or bacon that have been cooked properly at the
recommended and traditional 160F are safe to eat. This temperature
kills the swine flu virus and so it is not possible to be infected
from
eating pork or bacon.
Myth: Getting vaccinated against normal seasonal flu is enough to
protect against swine flu.
The truth: Swine flu shares only a few symptoms with seasonal flu, and
the name 'flu'. These two diseases are as different as they can be.
Swine flu is a brand-new disease that we do not have immunity against
either naturally or with any existing vaccination. A swine flu vaccine
is being designed, but it's not ready yet.
Myth: If you find that you have flu symptoms now you probably have
swine flu.
The truth: This is not really that easy. If you have terrible flu
symptoms, of course you should be worried and should visit your doctor.
But right now, in the US, normal seasonal flu is still more dangerous
and likely to sicken people than swine flu. The swine flu doing the
rounds now is a very mild bug and not that efficient at infecting
people either.
Myth: The swine flu outbreak is as bad as the SARS pandemic from a few
years ago.
Truth: The SARS pandemic took more than 700 lives and had a mortality
rate of one in 10. Swine flu is only about one tenth as deadly as that.
Myth: Public events and crowded places should be avoided to lessen risk
of catching swine flu.
The truth: The government has not yet put out any such warnings. In the
entire country, there are only about a handful of people who are known
to be infected. Chances are not strong that you would happen to be
close to one of those people at the event you attended. If you are very
concerned so, all you would need to be to wear a surgical mask.
With these cleared up, people should be better able to deal with the
swine flu scare.
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