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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
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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.
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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!
your right but i am not an ignorant tenenager... ALthough i am an ignorant teenager..
if people wont to freak out they can coz anyone can die from it you inconsideret pig shut up
Enter your comments herewhy dose any one care about how she told her kid about the flu why dose it matter
...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!
WHY ARE THEY GETTING SWINE FLU FROME PIGS i dont get it .... belive its false ///// cause the bible says .... roomers willl go .....
tell that to the dead people.
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.
You right about that people need to read.
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
Avoid close contact with those you are sick.
- You mean "who' not "you"
start editing!
Thank you for your concern with my professionalism.
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?
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.
The swine flu has hit the Elizabeth City State University Campus. So it is in Elizabeth City, NC.
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.
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.
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.
Way to teach your kid to be apathetic about what happens to other PEOPLE. You should calm him, but this was not the way.
God you're dumb.
Touche!