Surprised that we’re still talking about the swine flu here? After all, the media has given the topic a bit of a rest, and many articles are even saying that this particular virus is “just like any other flu virus” and that the outbreak we’re hearing about is “like the normal winter flu” and that all the hype about a pandemic was overdone.

Don’t believe everything that you read. First, there’s nothing “normal” about any flu virus – this one or any other. Yes – one or more of them usually hits us every winter,but that is no reason to make light of any influenza outbreak.Why? Because if you become complacent, you’ll forget all those good habits that you read about to prevent the spread of this, and other, respiratory infections. So, while we still think you shouldn’t panic, you should also not make light of this swine flu outbreak. In fact, a U.S. federal official stated just this week that the infection is spreading so quickly that they may stop counting cases.

Here’s what we know now. This swine flu virus is being referred to as “novel influenza A (H1N1).” It is, in fact, a new flu virus, which is originally of swine origin. Because the virus causing the epidemic now is new, most people have little to no immunity to it. This is the reason that experts are expecting more hospitalizations and more deaths from it. However, it does not seem to be causing a serious illness in as many people as was originally feared; the illness it causes in most is relatively mild. A rapid laboratory test for this virus is now available; as of today, there have been 3009 lab-confirmed cases, and 3 deaths in the U.S.

It is spread from person to person through contact with infected respiratory secretions; the most common way one becomes infected is through being exposed to a sneeze or cough of an infected person. The symptoms it causes are just like those of the winter flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and headache. Unlike most of the other flu viruses, however, this one also can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

One more thing. It is thought that this virus will make another, more forceful appearance this coming fall. It is hoped that a vaccine against this particular influenza virus will be available then.  However, even though you may avoid getting infected with it now, you may not be able to avoid it next fall.

What can you do about that now? Easy. Take care of yourself now, and try to keep, or get, in the best shape you possibly can. To do this requires the Big Three we always talk about: eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, and sleep well and enough. Now do you see what biking has to do with the swine flu?! If you start right now doing regular bicycling, you’ll not only have fun and get healthier now, but you can help yourself prevent the flu next fall!

To review what you should do to avoid getting infected, and what you should do if you do get the symptoms, re-read our prior blogs on the swine flu. For daily updates on this H1N1 flu and further tips to avoid becoming infected, go to:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu