Once the news of the swine flu hit the media, it seemed no one was safe - even if you weren’t in Mexico, where experts say the outbreak originated. Now known as the H1N1 flu, news reports are constantly bombarding us with warnings for our families and especially students going back to school. But are all these warnings really warranted? How much is media hype and how much is true?

As you may know, H1N1 is commonly known as the flu and is a virus, which means that it is easily spread to others. Because of the swine flu outbreak earlier this year there have been a few updates to how we approach this upcoming flu season. In particular, medical experts stress that the H1N1 flu virus poses a higher threat to young children under two years old, seniors age 65 or older and pregnant women. Because these groups tend to have weaker/compromised immune systems, it is very important for them to take caution and avoid being around others that are already sick with the flu. Other groups of people at risk are those currently suffering from conditions such as diabetes, cancer, disorders of the heart, kidney or liver, HIV/AIDs, and neurological disorders.

Common symptoms to be on the lookout for include chills, fever, sore throat, fatigue, headache, body aches, cough and stuffy nose. While these symptoms tend to be harmless for those outside of the high risk categories, there are particular symptoms that are signs of a much more severe case, which require immediate medical attention: persistent vomiting, difficulty breathing, dizziness, pain/pressure in the abdomen or chest and confusion. Parents of sick children should seek medical attention if their child is suffering from the flu and exhibits these severe symptoms: fever with a rash, bluish skin color, lethargy, high irritability, not able to drink fluids and trouble breathing.

If you happen to get the flu or if your child gets sick, do not go to work or school. As difficult as that may make your routine, spreading the H1N1 virus will only make things worse. The last thing you want is to infect someone who may fall under a high risk category. Unless you are suffering from severe symptoms, staying home, getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids should be more than enough to get you back on your feet in a few days. If you have a fever or body aches, you can turn to over-the-counter meds such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen or Acetaminophen.

The best way to prevent getting the H1N1 virus this year is to be mindful of your hygiene. Wash your hands often and take care to cover your mouth with a tissue instead of your hand whenever you cough or sneeze. Do not reuse tissues.

So far you’re probably thinking that the H1N1 virus is pretty harmless and no worse than the flu you’ve always known. What makes this year different, however, is the fact that in some cases the flu has caused severe illness and death. That alone has caused the medical industry to become more diligent in educating the public about how to safely deal with the flu this year. Vaccines are available but at this time are being saved for those in high risk categories.

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