What is the Second Wave of Swine Flu? How do we protect ourselves?

We have been talking about a second deadlier wave of Swine flu for a while now, which, it was predicted would set in along with the cold winter months. What is the reason for this though? What makes the H1N1 virus proliferate more during this time than at others?

• Well for one the virus cannot thrive in very hot conditions. This is why at first swine flu was seen to hit the cities with temperate climate such as Pune and Bangalore hardest. Lower temperatures are more conducive for the virus’s survival.
• Secondly in the colder months, people tend to shut doors and windows in order to keep homes warm and also tend to crowd indoors much more. This makes it an ideal breeding ground for the H1N1 Swine flu virus.  In such situations of overcrowding, it’s impossible to stall the spread of respiratory tract infections, experts say.

According to experts, healthy people with effective immune responses should be able to resist this infection, however it is important to take sufficient and effective precautions and to make sure that guidelines are followed in order that the spread of the swine flu virus is limited.

The symptoms of fever, coughing, fatigue, sore throat, headache, body and muscle ache and sneezing should be watched out for vigilantly. Swine flu sufferer also show the additional symptom of diarrhea which can be another indicator. So when these symptoms do present themselves, one must get tested and obtain proper treatment.

Meanwhile swine flu can be kept at bay by observing preventive measures such as a healthy diet, high personal hygiene and regular exercise. It is also important to observe the following guidelines on hygiene as the poster shows:

• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing to stop the spread of germs. Use disposable paper napkins and dispose them properly after use.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water, if that is not possible, use a hand sanitiser, particularly in public places.
• Avoid touching nose, eyes or mouth or nose with unwashed hands
• If you have flu like symptoms stay indoors, and don’t go to school or office and try to keep physical contact with others to a minimum.
• If you have flu like symptoms, get them checked by a medical professional immediately and either rule out possibility of a swine flu infection or confirm it and get treatment started at once.

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