Skip to main content

Secondary menu

User menu

  • Join
  • OR
  • Log In

MNN - Mother Nature Network

Tuesday, May 21, 2013
SPECIAL FEATURES:
  • Leaderboard
  • Nest
  • TreeHugger
  • Photos
  • Blogs
  • SB 2013
  • Joy of Less

Search form

Social links

Main menu

  • Earth Matters
    • Browse all »
    • Animals
    • Weather
    • Energy
    • Politics
    • Space
    • Translating Uncle Sam
    • Wilderness & Resources
  • Health
    • Browse all »
    • Allergies
    • Fitness & Well-Being
    • Healthy Spaces
  • Lifestyle
    • Browse all »
    • Arts & Culture
    • Travel
    • Natural Beauty & Fashion
    • Recycling
    • Responsible Living
  • Green Tech
    • Browse all »
    • Computers
    • Gadgets & Electronics
    • Research & Innovations
    • Transportation
  • Eco-Biz & Money
    • Browse all »
    • Green Workplace
    • Personal Finance
    • Sustainable Business Practices
  • Food & Drink
    • Browse all »
    • Beverages
    • Healthy Eating
    • Recipes
  • Your Home
    • Browse all »
    • At Home
    • Organic Farming & Gardening
    • Remodeling & Design
  • Family
    • Browse all »
    • Babies & Pregnancy
    • Family Activities
    • Pets
    • Protection & Safety

Breadcrumb Navigation

MNN.COM › MNN BLOGGERS
    x
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Bookmark and ShareShare
  • Earn Points
    What's this?
Swine flu: Can you get it from eating pork?
Can you get swine flu from your breakfast bacon? Find out what the CDC has to say about that and other facts about the current swine flu scare.
Wed, Apr 29 2009 at 9:54 AM
 25

Related Topics:

Food Safety, Viruses & Diseases
ALSO ON MNN:

Environmental causes of swine flu

CDC all a Twitter over swine flu

Swine flu: Are your kids safe?

Are you experiencing pork panic?

Where is swine flu's ground zero?

MNN's complete coverage of the epidemic

 
Swine flu. Over the weekend the reports about the swine flu scare that has killed dozens of people in Mexico and prompted authorities in that country to close schools, libraries, museums and other places where people gather in close proximity were all over the news.
 
This morning my nine-year-old heard it being talked about on the news and got a little worried. The report he heard was about Mexico, so I could honestly say to him, “What they are talking about is happening in Mexico.” That seemed to stop his worries. But the fact of the matter is swine flu is being reported here in the U.S., too.
 
As of April 29, 2009, the CDC is reporting 91 cases of swine flu in humans in the U.S. – 14 in California, 2 in Kansas, 51 in NYC, 1 in Ohio and 6 in Texas. The CDC website says that “this is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide new information as it becomes available.” By the time you read this, the site could have different figures.
 
A lot of people want to know if you can get swine flu from eating pork products that come from pigs that were infected with swine flu. The answer is no, you can’t get it from eating pork or pork products.
 
It spreads the same way that other flu viruses spread. It normally only spreads from pig to pig, but according to the CDC it can infect humans. It seems that this current strain of swine flu is affecting humans more than other strains in the past and is spreading more easily from human to human.
 
So, while you don’t need to be concerned about getting swine flu from the pork you eat, you still should be concerned with protecting yourself from the virus.
 
Here are some steps to take to help prevent the transmission of this swine flu (or any other flu virus).
 
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash immediately.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (which is how a flu virus that has gotten on your hands can enter your body).
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Stay home if you do get sick.
 
The CDC says that the virus is “susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir.” This is good news. If you’re like me, and you usually just keep plugging away when you have cold or flu symptoms until they pass, you may want to actually go see a doctor if flu-like symptoms arise. Although no one in the U.S. has died from this strain of swine flu yet, officials believe it may be too early in the U.S. to know the true impact the flu will have. 
 
According to the CDC, here are the symptoms to look for.
 
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
 
For more questions and answers on the swine flu and you, visit the CDC Q&A page on swine flu.
 

And, for a possible environmental cause of this flu virus, see Karl Burkart, MNN’s technology blogger, post this morning on what Mexican locals are saying.  

 
Image: Nick Nguyen

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

Previous Post
Are you experiencing pork panic?
Next Post
Pollan weighs in on Obama's first 100 days

You might also like:

Join the conversation

Comments: 25
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
Log in or
create an account
  • Sign in using this account:
anonymous
scary Jan 20 2010 at 11:59 AM
CRIMES AGAINST POSTERITY SWINE FLU SWINDLE SWINES FLEW IN TOP HATS Glaxo is just a marketing hand so who sold that vacc to the whole world carrying seeds of the next pandemic? What state, what monster? When failed, getting away to try again? Like Oklahoma your comment must be approved by OH YEAH? guess where all the internet monitoring flows to and you guessed where that vaccine maker sits According to a list compiled by Dr. Patricia Doyle at rense.com, a host of strange ingredients are used to make
.... More
up Hoffman-La Roche's anti-flu drug Tamiflu, which has recently been connected with bizarre behavior, Patients using Tamiflu -- which many nations are stocking up on as a way to combat a possible pandemic of the deadly H5N1 bird flu -- reported delirium, hallucinations, delusions, convulsions, disturbed consciousness and abnormal behavior. The FDA reports that side effects reported with Tamiflu include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bronchitis, stomach pain, dizziness and headache. ANTI-MONOPOLISTS VERY QUIET ON JUST ONE FIRM ''SERVING'' THE WHOLE WORLD COMING SOON FROM THE SAME CREEPS: CARBON SIN RELIC INDULGENCES, PAYABLE TO GUESS WHOM
|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
scary Jan 18 2010 at 7:40 AM
SWINES IN TOP HATS SWINDLE Glaxo is just a marketing hand so who sold that vacc to the whole world carrying seeds of the next pandemic? What state, what monster? When failed, getting away to try again? Like Oklahoma your comment must be approved by OH YEAH? guess where all the internet monitoring flows to and you guessed where that vaccine maker sits According to a list compiled by Dr. Patricia Doyle at rense.com, a host of strange ingredients are used to make up Hoffman-La Roche's anti-flu drug
.... More
Tamiflu, which has recently been connected with bizarre behavior, Patients using Tamiflu -- which many nations are stocking up on as a way to combat a possible pandemic of the deadly H5N1 bird flu -- reported delirium, hallucinations, delusions, convulsions, disturbed consciousness and abnormal behavior. The FDA reports that side effects reported with Tamiflu include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bronchitis, stomach pain, dizziness and headache. ANTI-MONOPOLISTS VERY QUIET ON JUST ONE FIRM ''SERVING'' THE WHOLE WORLD
|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest May 02 2009 at 3:17 AM

It's not swine death, it's swine flu. Just like the regular flu, you won't die from it unless you;re really young/old or have something wrong with your immune system, JUST LIKE THE REGULAR FLU. And you get it from humans, not pigs. You are all acting like ignorant teenagers. Freak out!

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Meda Sep 22 2009 at 2:08 PM

your right but i am not an ignorant tenenager... ALthough i am an ignorant teenager..

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest May 21 2009 at 9:14 AM

if people wont to freak out they can coz anyone can die from it you inconsideret pig shut up

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
kelly May 01 2009 at 12:26 AM

Enter your comments herewhy dose any one care about how she told her kid about the flu why dose it matter

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Gigi Gerow May 01 2009 at 1:50 AM

...it makes the article more interesting. It is called "relate to your readers".

It means she's real person with a real life....just like the rest of us!

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
deb Apr 30 2009 at 2:49 AM

WHY ARE THEY GETTING SWINE FLU FROME PIGS i dont get it .... belive its false ///// cause the bible says .... roomers willl go .....

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest Apr 30 2009 at 7:09 AM

tell that to the dead people.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Gigi Gerow May 01 2009 at 1:47 AM

She says very clearly and it has been reported in many places....you cannot get the swine flu from pig meat (aka pork!).

It is being passed from person to person just like many other flus and viruses.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Meda Sep 22 2009 at 2:07 PM

You right about that people need to read.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
GuestJerry May 20 2009 at 11:04 PM

Pandemic level is at 5
The President is not doing nothing right now but depending on the scientists at mexico right now. U.S Scientists and Chems have gone to Mexico the past month researching and slaughtering pigs for testing of where the disease came from. So You guys are actually wrong. THEY ARE TESTING PIGS. THEN EXPLAIN WHY. ....
THXS IM COOL/doorky

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest Apr 28 2009 at 11:34 AM

Avoid close contact with those you are sick.
- You mean "who' not "you"
start editing!

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
rshreeves's picture
Robin Shreeves Apr 28 2009 at 2:25 PM

Thank you for your concern with my professionalism.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Yebor Apr 28 2009 at 9:22 AM

Why worry your child about something they have no control over. They should be taught to wash their hands, cover there mouths when they sneeze or cough but other than that why upset them?

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest Apr 28 2009 at 12:44 AM

In North Carolina the state government tried to hide the fact that citizens had contracted the swine flu. Now they refuse to disclose the locations or even the part(s) of the state where the flu has been contracted, further endangering the citizens and children.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest Sep 19 2009 at 8:20 AM

The swine flu has hit the Elizabeth City State University Campus. So it is in Elizabeth City, NC.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Bri Apr 27 2009 at 2:17 PM

It is probably the dummie in me but should we also be staying away from products that have been imported from Mexico in the last month or so? And also ]Robin.. As a fellow mother and not dumb ass man I think you did very well with your child considering you did not have time to ease his fears entirely before school.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest Apr 27 2009 at 1:17 PM

I think we should all just eat kosher. I'm not Jewish myself, but I eat Kosher for the most part - reason being, I noticed in college that my Jewish friends didn't worry nearly as much about their food being safe to eat and about being susceptible to food born illnesses. It did make our spring break trips to Mexico difficult, though.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest Apr 27 2009 at 12:16 PM

To the person who responded about apathy. You are absolutely retarded. The poster stated facts, no where did she make it racial. Go vote for Obama again.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest Apr 27 2009 at 10:45 AM

Way to teach your kid to be apathetic about what happens to other PEOPLE. You should calm him, but this was not the way.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Guest Apr 27 2009 at 12:17 PM

God you're dumb.

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
rshreeves's picture
Robin Shreeves Apr 27 2009 at 11:36 AM
I can see how it reads that I was just blowing the subject off with my son. That's not the case, though. With kids you have to know when the right moment is to teach them something and the right moment is to prevent a melt down for the rest of the day. To explain any of this to my son five minutes before he had to rush off to school would have been very bad timing. It would have done nothing but keep him focused and worried about this all day long. Understanding how and when to best teach your kids
.... More
things (and with each child it's different) is important.
|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
cuiyang Dec 26 2010 at 9:16 PM
Decorating with a different gem accessory, shimmer, no minus than the form.To assemble the recent female's liking, this reduction and coldn thomas sabo jewellery ess, largely to clothes and more to show the women's boundary of the charm. In detail, many
.... More
international brands of rage designers have i [url=http://www.thomassabouk.com/]thomas sabo jewellery[/url] ncisive out that the objects on each shape studs sequence. Series includes four different themes of form thomas sabo jewellery
|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 
anonymous
Gigi Gerow May 01 2009 at 1:57 AM

Touche!

|
  • Log in or register to post comments
  • Report This Post 

EDITORS' PICKS

tease AnoNuevo

line

tease cars

line

tease fitness story

Advertisement

TODAY'S MOST POPULAR ON

  1. Man tattoos puppy, faces backlash
  2. 15 famous people who mysteriously disappeared
  3. The squirrel that wears many hats
  4. 'Gay' dog rescued from Tenn. animal shelter
  5. Tornado survivor finds dog during live TV interview
  6. The 8 happiest dogs on YouTube
  7. 9 habits that may do more harm than good
  8. 10 false facts most people think are true
  9. 13 natural remedies for the ant invasion
  10. What causes tornadoes?
+ Add this to my site
From our sponsor
Aflac employees earn an eco-education at Earth Day fair
Earth Day celebrated with a vendor fair highlighting green products, green programs, and all the more...
We've Got You Under Our Wing
After Earth Hour, Aflac continues to cut energy consumption
The insurance company has cut energy consumption at its facilities by 35% per square foot, saving $ more...
We've Got You Under Our Wing
Give a quack: 2012 Aflac Corporate Citizenship Report
Donations to charitable causes, workplace diversity and reduced electricity usage are among the more...
We've Got You Under Our Wing
River restoration project to make a big impact in Georgia
Aflac donated $1 million to remove dams and restore the Chattahoochee River in its hometown of more...
We've Got You Under Our Wing
Aflac Lunch and Learn: How to build a rain barrel
Rain barrels are a great way to save water for not-so-rainy-days. Find out how you can build one in more...
We've Got You Under Our Wing

NEWSLETTER

Mother Nature. Delivered

ABOUT Robin Shreeves

Stay-at-home mom on eco-friendly food options.

More about Robin RSS feed

Recent Posts

  • Online restaurant ordering sites Grub Hub and Seamless merge
  • ‘Give a Cluck about Hens’ champions cage-free eggs
  • Meatless Monday wine: Arnaldo Caprai Grecante Grechetto
+ Add this to my site
Advertisement
Advertisement
Google Profile

Footer menu

  • Quick Links
    • Joy of Less
    • About Us
    • Advisory Board
    • Editors' Blog
    • Press
    • Privacy
    • Sitemap
    • Terms of Service
  • MNN Tools
    • Advice
    • Blogs
    • Day in History
    • Eco-glossary
    • Infographics
    • Lists
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Connect
    • The Nest
    • Contact Us
    • Mixed Greens
    • Newsletters
    • RSS
    • Social
    • TreeHugger
    • Mobile
  • Channels
    • Earth Matters
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Green Tech
    • Eco-Biz & Money
    • Your Home
    • Family
    • State Reports
  • Follow MNN
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Tumblr
    • Google+
    • StumbleUpon

Copyright © 2013 MNN Holdings, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Website by GLICK INTERACTIVE | Powered by CIRRACORE

SPONSORS