The current fears over swine flu may seem a little unfounded. After all, every year, thousands of people suffer from seasonal flu—and so far, swine flu appears to be reasonably mild, with almost all cases recovering with bed rest.
It may be that swine flu has already come and gone, and we need not worry about it anymore. Some experts are cautioning, however, that the current outbreak—much like the regular seasonal flu—will subside during the summer months and reappear in the fall. And part two of the epidemic could be a lot worse.
Medical researchers can’t actually be certain of the severity of the next outbreak, but they are pretty much unanimous in agreeing that there will likely be a reemergence of swine flu. They explain that we are seeing this virus at a time that is usually the end of the flu season. Given this timing, they caution that because the flu virus is hardier in cold weather, there will probably be a return of it.
Mild Epidemic Followed by Larger One
In previous flu pandemics, the pattern has always been a mild epidemic in the early summer or late spring, then a larger epidemic in the winter. This is the way the 1918 Spanish flu, the1957 Asian flu and 1968 Hong Kong flu pandemics happened. The pattern of an initial wave followed by a second wave is common in the flu world.
So far, the most affected nations have been in North America and Europe, but if the flu is spread more easily in the winter, the southern hemisphere may be next to be hit, as it is already winter there.
Experts are worried that public-health systems could be overwhelmed if swine flu and regular flu collide in major urban populations, according to the Associated Press. There are also fears that two separate flu strains could mutate into a new strain that is more contagious and dangerous.
In North America, the summer should slow down the spread of swine flu, as neither viruses nor bacteria survive well at temperatures above 70ºF (21ºC).
Experts are confident that a vaccine will likely be ready by the time a second wave hits, and the world medical community will likely be more prepared.6
Regardless of what happens this winter, you’ll want to take these precautions against swine flu:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze; alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs are spread that way
• Stay home if you get sick—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them7
Visit :
Doctors Health Press
Leave a Reply