Because the flu virus isn’t transmitted through food, the CDC and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) say it’s safe to eat pork. Of course, pork should be well cooked to avoid any illness. Cook pork to an internal temperature of 160° F or higher (use a meat thermometer to check the temperature). Don’t eat pork that looks pinkish or bloody inside.
» Read more: H1N1 Influenza: Can We Still Eat Pork?
Posts Tagged ‘Disease’
H1N1 Influenza: Can We Still Eat Pork?
July 28th, 2010H1N1 Influenza: How Can I Protect My Family?
July 28th, 2010Vaccinating your family against the H1N1 flu isn’t the only preventive step you can take. The CDC recommends these precautions:
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and put used tissues in the trash.
* If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
* Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing — wash with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
* Keep sick kids home from childcare or school and limit their contact with others; kids should stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever (of 100º F or 37.8º C or higher) goes away on its own without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
* If you live in a home with someone who has the flu, be extra cautious about avoiding germs. Don’t get in close, face-to-face contact, and clean your hands often.
» Read more: H1N1 Influenza: How Can I Protect My Family?
Is There a Vaccine to Protect Against H1N1?
July 28th, 2010Yes. The 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine protects against H1N1 flu. During the 2009-2010 flu season, the seasonal flu shot did not protect against H1N1 flu, so a separate H1N1 flu shot was needed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and older.
» Read more: Is There a Vaccine to Protect Against H1N1?
What Are the Symptoms of H1N1 Flu?
July 27th, 2010H1N1 flu can last anywhere from 7 to 14 days. Symptoms are similar to those of the common flu and include fever plus one or more of the following: cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting. The virus also can cause pneumonia, which can make it hard to breathe.
Kids who develop any of these symptoms need immediate medical attention:
» Read more: What Are the Symptoms of H1N1 Flu?
H1N1 Influenza: Who Is Especially at Risk?
July 27th, 2010As with other types of flu, children younger than age 5 are at risk for more serious complications from the virus. Also, kids with chronic medical conditions (like diabetes, heart disease, asthma or other lung problems, or neurodevelopmental conditions) can have more problems coping with the illness. They might get sicker and need more medical support; in some cases, hospitalization can be necessary.
» Read more: H1N1 Influenza: Who Is Especially at Risk?
How Does the H1N1 Flu Spread?
July 27th, 2010H1N1 spreads in the same way that other viruses do — through the air when a person who has the virus sneezes, coughs, or speaks. People also can become infected after touching a contaminated surface or object that someone with the virus touched, sneezed, or coughed on.
» Read more: How Does the H1N1 Flu Spread?
Should I Worry About the H1N1 Pandemic?
July 27th, 2010The H1N1 pandemic reflects the global spread of the virus, not the severity of the illness it may cause. Health officials declare a pandemic as a way to put medical services on alert. That way, they’re prepared with enough staff and medication in case large numbers of people need care at the same time.
» Read more: Should I Worry About the H1N1 Pandemic?
Why Isn’t the Virus Called “Swine Flu” Anymore?
July 27th, 2010Why Isn’t the Virus Called “Swine Flu” Anymore?
Researchers first called this new virus “swine flu” because laboratory tests showed that many of the genes in the virus were similar to flu viruses that North American pigs get. Now, after further research, scientists have determined that the virus is not at all similar to viruses that North American pigs develop.
» Read more: Why Isn’t the Virus Called “Swine Flu” Anymore?
What Is H1N1 Influenza?
July 27th, 2010H1N1 influenza (sometimes still referred to as “swine flu”) is a contagious respiratory virus that surfaced in spring 2009. It contains a combination of different flu viruses that affect humans, pigs, and birds.
H1N1 Influenza
July 27th, 2010With all the headlines about the global H1N1 influenza (swine flu) pandemic, you might be worried about keeping your family safe. But the truth is, there’s no reason to panic. Right now, there’s no evidence that H1N1 flu is any worse — or more dangerous — than the common seasonal flu.
Still, it’s important to take precautions, like washing your hands often. Read on to see what you can do to protect your family and care for kids with flu-like symptoms.
How Can My Family Avoid Catching the H1N1 Flu?
Your family can avoid catching the flu by getting vaccinated against the H1N1 flu when it becomes available and following these precautionary guidelines:
* Cover noses and mouths with a tissue when sneezing or coughing and put the used tissues in the trash.
* Cough or sneeze into an upper sleeve (not into hands) if a tissue is not available.
* Clean hands after coughing or sneezing — wash with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Do My Kids Need to Get Vaccinated?
Yes. Since kids are at higher risk of catching the H1N1 flu and having complications from it, they should receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. Children ages 9 and younger will need two doses of the vaccine (either through a nasal mist or shot) given 1 month apart. Older kids and teens need only one dose.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the H1N1 vaccine for the following groups:
» Read more: H1N1 Influenza
