IMPORTANT - what you need to know now about swine flu (H1N1)

I happened to catch the new Dr. Oz show in TV a couple of days ago, and he had several experts on the program to discuss the H1N1 virus (swine flu) and ways to protect yourself from it. I took some notes and here is what I learned.

It has clearly become a pandemic according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The flu pandemic of 1918 killed 40 million people worldwide (including my mother's mother). One million people in the United States are already infected with H1N1, and WHO is predicting that up to 90,000 will die of it in the U.S.

They've determined that it began in Mexico, and is just one of those flukes of mutation. Somehow the human strain of flu and the bird flu combined in a pig and mutated into a new strain, which became H1N1. The difference between this new strain and the seasonal flu we get every year is that it spreads much more quickly and attacks mostly younger people. They believe that is because it is similar to a strain that hit in 1957, and people who may have gotten exposed to that flu may have some degree of immunity to this one.

Be alert for these symptoms as to the progression of the disease:

Day 0-2, there are usually no symptoms at all; day 3 aches and pains; days 4-6 fever, cough and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea; and days 7-10 you will either start feeling better or suffer breathing problems. If there is shortness of breath, seek medical attention, as it may be going into pneumonia or other complications that could be deadly.

If someone in your family gets sick, treat it as contagious like you would for a common cold. If you are caring for them, make sure that you don't get sick. They should wear a mask, but if they are having difficulty breathing so that they can't wear one, or if it is a small child, then you should wear a mask.

Very small children may have difficulty breathing, have dizziness or confusion, vomiting, bluish or grey looking skin, not waking from sleep easily, or seeming to get better, then worse.

To prevent complications: make sure to get seasonal flu shot AND the H1N1 shot. It takes about 2 weeks after the shot to have protection from the virus.

Other steps you can take to protect yourself and your children:

• Have basic cleaners and keep surfaces clean.

• Make sure that you and your children wash their hands frequently through the day and use sanitizers and wipes when you can't wash

• Probiotics and prebiotics will nourish the bacteria in your system that protect you against viruses (these include garlic, yogurt)

• Take basic supplements, and make sure to get vitamin D and North American ginseng

• Have regular emergency products, such as fever reducers, thermometer, aspirin (not for children), masks and electrolyte replacements.

Since you will be asked to self-quarantine, make sure that you are prepared not to have to go out in public while you are sick. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you have 1 month of supplies, including key foods and any medications that you take regularly.

And get your flu shots!

I hope you will spread the word and that we can make the predictions of WHO be wrong - the numbers can be reduced if everyone does their best to follow these recommendations.

Stay healthy!

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