THE SWINE FLU

History: The earliest confirmed case of the Swine Flu, also known as "Influenza A (H1N1) Virus", was found in five-year old Edgar Enrique Hernandez, which only started as a "bad cold", known to have spread throughout the small town of La Gloria, in Mexico. This outbreak caused distress. In the month of March, 2009, another outbreak erupts and is finding a home, not only in Mexico, but in Canada.

Symptoms:

1. Coughing

2. Sore neck and throat, which may be mistaken for strep throat

3. Headaches, including migraines

4. Fatigue

5. Sore, achy joints and muscle aches, with the feeling of weakness

6. Diarrhea

7. Nausea and vomitting

8. Having a high fever

9. Paleness in the face, especially around the lower eyelids

10. May have temporary blurry vision and/or sore eyes with some redness

11. Sinus congestion or runny nose

12. Shortness of breath

13. Deceased appetite

14. Chills and sweating

15. Dizziness and/or the feeling of faintness

Most people who become infected with the Swine Flu carry three (3) or more symptoms. If symptoms appear to be going away and then come back in a worsened manner, immediate medical treatment must be sought. A fever between 40*C and 45*C is common.

Complications: Together with the symptoms of the Swine Flu, complications can occur, such as respiratory problems, pneumonia, heart problems, eyesight problems, emotional complications, and even death if left untreated or it becomes beyond the control of modern medicine.

Swine Flu and children: Children may not show the obvious symptoms of the Swine Flu, so it is up to the parent to make the determination of the appropriate steps to be taken. Children may appear to have troubled sleep patterns, headaches, and/or respiratory problems. If your child suffers asthma, the Swine Flu may steepen the distress on the child's lungs. Medical attention needs to be sought immediately. Children must not attend school if there are symptoms showing.

How the Swine Flu is spread: The Swine Flu is often found in pigs. It can be spread from pigs to humans and vice versa. Swine Flu is spread very easily, so we need to all take serious precaution and preventative measures. Sneezing, coughing, touching the nose and mouth, then touching a surface area, are three ways the virus is transmitted. The Swine Flu acts just like the normal flu, such as sinus congestion, aches in the muscles, shortness of breath, chills and sweats, etc.

If, at any given time, you feel as if you've

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