There are several types of respirators and face masks available which offer various levels of protection. The simplest way of protecting against droplet-borne germs is to use surgical masks. These can reduce the spread of germs in the exhaled air of sick people. The type of mask attached to the wearer’s head by an elastic head band is recommended since it is easy to use and stays in place well.

I suppose most people are waiting for the vaccine or hopeful that current medications will be enough to stop the swine flu in its tracks. But truthfully, who is going to get a vaccine anyway? Countries like France want to vaccinate all 64 million people in the country, but how? Working 24 hours per day with every medical, health, first-aid person plus volunteers, the logistics of vaccinating 64 million people are overwhelming. And of course I don’t live in France. Nor is a vaccination ready.

Dr. Margaret Chan of the World Heath Organization (WHO) has officially raised the status of H1N1 Swine Flu to six, the highest level. Dr. Chan said there are two main concerns now: a) a second wave of the flu is to be expected, probably within the next 6 to 9 months, and

Fears continue that the two could mix creating a potent virus deadly to humans. While it is expected that the flu virus will die down until later in the year, it is still an unknown as to what exactly will happen.

Q. Why would an influenza virus such as Swine Flu or H1N1 take a year or so to reach us?
Dr Smith: Each and every year, the flu spreads around the planet. It starts China and then travels, often not noticed in the Northern hemisphere (where most of the world’s population live) until Autumn or Spring.

Q: [...]

Back in 1976 there was a genuine concern that Swine Influenza would break out. In the USA 45 million Americans got flu shots. However, the campaign to vaccinate against Swine Flu was stopped after several hundred people came down with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare paralyzing disease.

Sites from across the world with specific help and information regarding Swine Influenza (flu) and what you need to do to stay healthy. Information also is given about Pneumonia which is often the result of flu