So much has been reported about the devastating effect of Swine Flu all over Mexico, US & a case was reported in South Korea. As a mother of two, I am very much affected by reports of death and just how quickly it spreads to other parts of the world. However, as I researched daily about any Swine Flu incidence here in the Philippines, I am somehow relieved by the way our government had been preparing and establishing precautionary measures to prevent and handle the spread of such deadly virus, in case it crosses our borders. (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/metro-hospitals-reserve-beds-swine-flu-victims) I hope and pray that our country will be spared from such H1N1 virus attack.(http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/swinefluoutbreak/view.php?db=1&article=20090428-201980)
I also would like to share to all those who may read this post the ways we may be able to prevent being contaminated with the Swine Flu. The following are just my personal thought of how we may be able to prevent it as a nation, though, we know as a fact that since it is mainly airborne, it may really be so hard for us to avoid it. Below are just some things we may consider doing.. for a while.. I hope...
Since Swine Flu is still out of our country (hopefully!) , it will be helpful, that we try not to travel out of country for a while. Except for very urgent matters to attend to, staying here in the Philippines for the meantime, while the virus is not yet effectively contained, would be a great contribution to our government in preventing the possible spread of the virus here. (
http://www.inquirer.net/specialreports/swinefluoutbreak/view.php?db=1&article=20090428-201980)
Majority of those who survived the Swine Flu are those individuals who were fit and had been taking care of themselves before being contaminated. It is therefore advisable to try to make ourselves healthier in the coming days and months. Some of those who did not die were runners, vegetarians, weight lifters, etc. So, we should try to add exercise in our routine. (
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090505/wl_time/08599189563800)
We were told that pigs has nothing to do with the virus. But as I read (
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6648294.html ) Swine flu is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Swine flu viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2) are also circulating in pigs. So, I just thought of not serving pork to my family for a while.
The H1N1 virus is airborne, meaning, it may travel through the air and that we can just breathe in the virus without any direct contact with an infected individual. So, it'll be better if we try not to go to places where there are so many people. It may just be too early for that, however, I thought that the government will only know if the virus crossed our borders if one has already been infected. I believe, that a contaminated person may spread it to as many as a hundred individuals if he/she accidentally went inside a mall or any enclosed place with a lot of people.
Keep yourself updated with the recent developments about the Swine Flu. Information may keep yourself and your family protected.
Above are a just a few things I had been thinking and been doing for the past few days. I just thought that sharing with you the above, may somehow help us be more aware and therefore protecting us one way or another.