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Swine Flu Myths
Below are a few myths about swine flu that we would like to see busted ... |
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You need to be in contact with Pigs to catch Swine Flu |
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Swine flu has in the past has been spread between pigs and humans. This most likely occurs when people are in close proximity to pigs such as on farms and at fairs. However, with this outbreak, it appears human-to-human spread can also occur, because the virus can spread through liquid droplets that get airborne, such as through coughing and sneezing. You can contract it by touching something with the live virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose. |
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| Your annual Flu Shot will protect you from Swine Flu |
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It may offer a small degree of protection, however, this swine flu virus is a never-before-seen combination of swine, avian and human influenza, and therefore nobody is fully protected against it. The seasonal flu vaccine may offer some protection against the swine flu's human virus, but it doesn't give protection against its swine and avian components. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist about the current recommendations. |
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| Eating Pork and Bacon can put you at risk of catching Swine Flu |
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You cannot contract swine flu from eating pork. It's safe to eat properly handled pork if it's been cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F, which kills off most bacteria and viruses, including the virus that causes swine flu. |
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| If you have flu symptoms, then you have Swine Flu |
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This is unlikely. But if you have severe flu symptoms, such as shortness of breath, you should contact your health care provider right away. Early diagnosis is important in the recovery process. If you are not sure consult your doctor or pharmacist for further advice. |
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| Only children and the elderly are at risk of dying from Swine Flu | |
 It turns out that age and immune-system strength may not be a factor with this virus. That’s because, just like the SARS and avian flu outbreaks, it's believed the problem is not so much the virus itself but how your body responds to it. In past flu pandemics, young and healthy adults who were more likely to be affected than the very young or elderly. This is because their bodies showed an overreaction of their immune response, with respiratory-system inflammation that was ultimately deadly. A stronger immune system fighting those infections meant an overly strong response and greater odds of fatality. But not to add to the hype, keep in mind that the cases reported so far have mostly been mild. For those deaths in Mexico, it’s uncertain why young and healthy people are dying. One theory is the virus has already mutated into a stronger version; public health officials are investigating. It's also important to note that antiviral medications such as Tamiflu are showing to be effective in treating this swine flu; there were no such medications in the 1918 pandemic. |
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| Watch out for more Medical Mythbusters next month | |
| Any time you are unsure about your health don't forget to consult your friendly, local Pharmacist or Contact Us | |
