What I wanted to discuss today was the outbreak of the Swine Flu that has now hit the US. Even though I am a dietitian, and most of what I talk about is food and nutrition related, that doesn't mean that eating balanced and in moderation will prevent you from being sick. If this is the first you're hearing of The Swine Flu, make it a personal goal to try and check a newspaper, news website, or maybe just interact with another human being at least once a day....just kidding, I'm being a brat...but seriously...you can read right?
The Swine Flu is a new virus that our medical professionals have not seen before, therefore humans do not have any immunity to it. Our bodies have never seen it before, so they don't know how to fight it. The symptoms are almost exactly the same as "The Flu" that we are used to getting and fighting off, so if you think you may be coming down with the regular flu, see the doctor immediately, do not go to work, wash your hands and be overly cautious. Your doctor will most likely take swabs of your nose and throat and send a sample to be tested to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).More detailed information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ but here are some quick facts:
- 20 Cases have been reported so far in the US: California (7), Kansas (2), New York (8), Ohio (1), Texas (2)
- You CANNOT catch Swine Flu from eating pork. It is NOT transmitted this way. Cooking pork to 160 degrees kills Swine Flu just like it does other bacterias.
- Over 100 People in Mexico have died from Swine Flu so far
- There are 2 antiviral drugs - oseltamivir and zanamivir - that are able to treat and prevent infection from Swine Flu
- Wash your hands often, sneeze into kleenex and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
According to the CDC, at this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.
Be healthy by being aware of the health risks out there, those caused by poor lifestyle choices and those that we have no control of like viruses. Wash your hands, eat well, and listen to your body.
Ok, off to wash my hands and continue my conference! And as a side note, any of you who know me well know that I have a random but passionate interest in viruses and microbiology (so much that I paint them...seriously, my poor parents have a beautiful Lassa Virus hanging in their house) so if you ever have spare time, the CDC's website has amazing information on all types of viruses - rare and common - as well as a plethora of wonderful health information: http://www.cdc.gov/.
Blessings,
Ashley
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