Stop the Panic Over H1N1 Swine Flu

There has been some panic when it comes to the Swine flu virus. Most recently a plane was diverted because a woman had a runny nose. She was removed from the plane and rushed to a hospital where it was discovered that she had allergies. It is good to be aware of this virus, but do not go overboard. If you are in panic mode, go get the n95 mask and wear it to avoid any infection. Here are the facts on Swine flu to date:

In the United States there are only 200 or more cases spread over 23 states with one death. The death was a child who had recently been to Mexico.
Swine flu is not as easily transmissalbe as other viruses because it lacks an essential amino acid that will allow it to pass more quickly
You are not likely to get Swine flu on a plane unless a person with the virus sneezes on you directly, or you touch a surface (anywhere) on which the virus lives
The virus will generally live on a surface for a very short period of time.

Essentially, the H1N1 virus is spreading throughout the United States, just like any flu virus. It has not been deadly here yet to more than one person. Regular influenza kills over 30 million people every year, and H1N1 Swine flu virus is currently just another influenza virus with a couple of mutations. Be on guard, but do not panic. Take regular precautions you would at any time to avoid flu, but try to ignore all the hype.