Swine Flu Update
The Illinois Department of Public Health has released the following information:
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs and typically, humans are not infected. However, the CDC has confirmed human-to-human transmission of swine flu cases.
Symptoms of swine flu are similar to regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
The public should follow some common sense precautions to avoid getting sick or, if sick, infecting others:- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your arm.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough and sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. That's how germs are spread.
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit your contact with other people to avoid infecting them. Parents should follow these same recommendations for their children.
