Swine Flu Arkansas

So far, the Swine Flu has not been found in Arkansas, but six cases have been found in Texas, which is right next door. Arkansans need to practice preventative care when possible. The Arkansas Department Health and the CDC have released these common sense ways to protect yourself:

    * Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
    * Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
    * Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
    * Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
          o Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
          o If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The swine flu is similar to the influenza we normally see. Good health habits like getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing your stress, drinking plenty of fluids and eating well are all preventative measures too. The healthier you are, the more able your system is to fight off bugs like the flu.

If you come down with flu like symptoms, especially accompanied by fever, it doesn't hurt to see your doctor. Don't mistake allergy related sniffles, like are common in Arkansas this time of year, for swine flu though. Every fever and sniffle isn't swine flu.