Health Watch: Swine Flu Identified in US
LUXies beware, eight cases of a new strain of the flu virus has recently been identified in the US. The new version of the familiar sickness has been identified as the swine flu. Thus far, six people in California and two people from Texas have been effected. This is definitely cause for concern because it is the same virus behind an outbreak in Mexico that has taken the lives of 68 people and left over 1,000 more ill.
Of the 14 Mexican samples tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seven were identical to the swine flu virus found in Texas and Southern California, (CDC Director Richard) Besser said at a news conference.
The virus is a respiratory disease usually found in pigs or those that are in close contact with the animal and then is transferred in human to human contact. Symptoms are similar to that of the classic flu, but much more severe. The ill individual is likely to experience greater nausea and stomach pain.
So what can you do! As a means of prevention, it is important to take precautions such as frequent washing of your hands, making sure to get copious amount of sleep, and drinking plenty of water. So be sure to care for yourself and try to steer clear of pigs!!
To learn more, check out CNN.
