How to protect yourself from different types of flu

The common cold is an upper respiratory infection and this kind of infection is very hard to avoid coming in contact with. Most colds have the same basic symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, congestion, and fever. You may suffer with one or two of those symptoms or you may suffer from them all and a few more. The common cold virus that you caught may not be so common. The symptoms of the common cold could be the same symptoms of the next Pandemic flu influenza. Pandemic flu influenza is a virus similar to the regular seasonal flu but the difference is when there is a global outbreak. When there is a global outbreak of a flu virus it can kill millions of people. I have done some research on flu pandemics and have found three. In 1968 the Hong Kong killed about 700,000 people worldwide. In 1957 The Asian flu killed 2 million people worldwide. In 1918 the Spanish flu killed over ten million people worldwide. Not many people remember these flu outbreaks but there have been some recent you may know of. The bird flu called the H5N1 that mostly affected poultry and wild birds. This flu did affect humans in other parts of the world but hasn’t become a pandemic. The latest epidemic is called the swine flu H1N1. This virus was found in pigs mutated and became infectious to humans. Viruses and flu’s have been around a long time. Maybe this article will help someone avoid getting the next Pandemic flu.

1- Protect yourself and get a flu vaccination. This protects you, preventing spreading to others, and reduces complications from the flu.

2- If you suspect someone with the virus avoid direct contact, kissing, holding hands, or intimate contact. Also avoid touching things that an infected person may have touched. Avoid sharing or drinking from the same glass or bottle. Avoid touching nose, eyes, or mouth of someone that is infected.

3- Practice good hygiene and be a clean freak. Wash your hands before touching anyone who is infected and after touching someone who is infected.

4- Wash your hands before eating and after using the bathroom.

5- Wash your hands with soap and warm water, hand sanitizer, or alcohol wipes.

6- Clean and disinfect areas that are shared like doorknobs, telephones, countertops, toilets, remote controls, or any other item that people touch.

7- Cover coughs and sneezes with your shirt sleeve or tissue, wear a mask, clean your hands with antibacterial wipes and try staying at least 6 feet away from others.

8- Recognize flu symptoms- fever, runny nose, sore throat, dry cough, headache, weakness and fatigue, nausea or vomiting, and pain in muscles and joints.

9- Isolate yourself or family member from other family members especially if there is a baby or infant in the home. You or family member also need to be isolated away from the elderly. These two classes of individuals have low immune systems.

10- Get treatment and medications that will help fight off the flu symptoms.

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