Washing your hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizers is one of the No.1 defenses to fighting off the flu virus.

Another preventive measure to protect others against the flu virus is covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze.

The H1N1 Virus (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that cause regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get this virus, but human infections can and do happen. H1N1 viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Experts have said HPAI H5N1 could be the next pandemic, once the virus has sustained human-to-human transmission, or another virus could emerge with pandemic potential. The current outbreak of swine flu has turned our attention away from HPAI H5N1, to the newly emerged swine flu virus.

On April 30, 2009, the World Health Organization elevated the Pandemic Alert Phase from 4 sustained to widespread human-to-human transmission and indicating we are on the verge of a pandemic.  (Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.) What should you know?

Routine Hygiene Practices

• Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw tissue away in trash.
• Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizers.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• If at all possible avoid contact with sick people.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Influenza Flu Symptoms

• Fever
• Body aches
• Runny nose
• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Vomiting or diarrhea

There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

Information is this article obtained from the LSU AgCenter, WHO, and the Centers for Disease Control.

For the latest updates on the virus, go to the LSU AgCenter Web site or contact the Centers for Disease Control at this number: 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348, 24 Hours/Every Day.