Things you should know :
1 NO cause for panic.
So far, swine flu is not much more threatening than regular seasonal flu. Still, more people are susceptible to the virus.
2 A(H1N1) virus tougher on some.
Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups - children under 2 years, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Ordinarily, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest but not swine flu.
3 Wash your hands often and long.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick.
4 Get the kids vaccinated.
These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots, also people 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women, health care workers.
5 Get your shots early.
Check with your doctor or local or health department about where to get the shots considering the shots are available on October yet.
6 Immunity takes a while.
It takes 2 shots given 3 weeks apart to provide protection. And it takes a week or 2 after the last shot for the vaccine to take full effect.
7 Vaccines are being tested.
Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and effective, but they are testing it to make sure.
Be aware, since swine flu virus first emerged in April, the global A(H1N1) epidemic has sickened more than 1M Americans and killed 522. It also spread around the world inflecting tens of thousands and killing nearly 2,000.
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