Concerned about swine flu?

Swine influenza -- or H1N1 virus -- is currently a hot topic in the news. It is important to remember the flu is rarely fatal and person-to-person transmission has been limited in the past. The flu is much like other strains of flu, and has a more serious effect on the very young, very old and those with underlying health problems.
Basic health and hygiene practices can protect you against flu.

• Wash your hands often, using soap and warm water.
• Don't touch your eyes, mouth or nose.
• Stay home if you feel sick, and keep your children home from school if they are sick. Don't infect others.
• Contact your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to standard influenza, and include fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea or vomiting.

Shortness of breath, dizziness, severe irritability, inability to wake up and fever with rash are all signs of a serious medical problem and should be treated by a doctor immediately.

For more information about swine flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control website.

For general health information, try the following books.

• Prime Time: the African American Woman's Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness by Marylin Gaston
• The Complete Manual of Fitness and Well-Being
• The Good Health Fact Book
• Take Care of Yourself: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Medical Self-Care by Doug Dollemore
• Healthy Women, Healthy Lives: A Guide to Preventing Disease from the Landmark Nurses' Health Study
• Taking Care of your Child by Robert Pantell

Curious about pandemics and the history of past disease outbreaks? Check out these books.

• Flu: The Story of the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 and the Search for the Virus that Caused It by Gina Kolata
• Secret Agents: The Menace of Emerging Infections by Madeline Drexler
• Purple Death: The Mysterious Flu of 1918 by David Getz
• The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History by John M. Barry
• The Great Mortality: An Intimate History of the Black Death, the Most Devastating Plague of All Time by John Kelly
• Plague: The Mysterious Past and Terrifying Future of the World's Most Dangerous Disease by Wendy Orent
• Justinian's Flea: Plague, Empire, and the Birth of Europe by William Rosen

Post co-authored by Tim.