By: Dr. David Ryan & Dr. Brian Griffin

What is the Swine Flu? The Swine Flu is a group of "A" virus that comes in about 1000 different versions, but there are four main types. Currently there are 91 cases that have surfaced from Mexico to Germany as of 4-30-09. The majority are currently in New York.

What Is A Virus?

A virus is a group of proteins, that clump together and invades a cell and causes it to affect your DNA.

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Under A Plate Magnification Of 37,800X, This Colorized Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM) Depicted The A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1) Virus, While In The Virus' First Developmental Passage Through A Chicken Egg.

Where Does The Swine Flu Come From?

Pigs; they get a cold and it spreads to humans. They need to find the sick pig and terminate it to fix the problem. Birds, pigs and humans interchange viruses and this is what makes so many strains of the virus.

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Pigs Get A Cold And It Spreads To Humans.

How Is It Spread?

It can be spread pig to human, pig to pig, human to pig, and human to human. It is spread mostly by air, but some studies show that contact with body fluids will provide enough of an exposure to get infected.

How Can I Figure Out If I Have Swine Flu?

The only way is to be diagnosed within the first few days as a human, and longer if testing an infant. These samples must be sent to the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta for testing.

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H1N1 (Swine Flu)! CDC influenza expert, Joseph Bresee, M.D., describes how to recognize the signs and symptoms of swine flu including how swine flu is transmitted, appropriate medicines for treatment and steps to take to prevent or treat illness.

What Symptoms Will I Have?

The symptoms are the same for pigs and humans:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling of being tired
• Prominent coughing
• General lethargy

Runny nose, sore throat and watery eyes have also been reported in some cases.

The only way to know if you have the swine flu is based on your history. Have you been around pigs or people who work around animals or people who are sick? Tell your doctor.

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Decorated Swine Flu Surgical Masks In Mexico.
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How Can I Prevent Getting The Swine Flu?

Avoid live pigs, eating pigs won't get you sick, if the meat is cooked to 160 degrees. Avoid people who have pigs, or people who are sick. Wash your hands, avoid contact with people or pigs if you are sick. Keep your hands and fingers out of your mouth and nose. Avoid large populated areas.

Stay in well ventilated areas and clean any suspicious surfaces with a disinfectant. Remember that dry hot air and sunshine are deadly to a virus. Don't kiss pigs and by all means avoid Bob Cicherillo and George Farah in the off season. (Ha ha. Sorry guys, it was just too easy)

Cover your mouth in public if someone is coughing and leave the area as quickly as possible. Get lots of rest and stay healthy. Wash your hands and if you think you are sick, see a physician as quickly as possible. Be clear of your history of possible contact with infected pigs or people.

Swine Flu is treated with only a few special drugs. There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza:

1. Amantadine
2. Rimantadine
3. Oseltamivir
4. Zanamivir

The last two are the only ones that are showing success with the current strands of swine flu.

For more information, visit the CDC website: www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm

Dr. David Ryan & Dr. Brian Griffin

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