by Cheryl Rofer
By now, you've heard or read something about swine flu: numerous cases in Mexico, a few cases being identified in other countries. It's really early to know how this is going to go. It's a good thing that the US government (Public Health Service? Could the media inform us?) and the World Health Organization are seeing this as a potential pandemic so early in the game. That means they're gearing up to follow the cases, do extra laboratory work, all the things they need to do to keep track and give us the information we need, along with getting the vaccine and drug manufacturers ready in case they're needed.
The numbers, even in Mexico, are still small. But the precautions being suggested are good ones any time. So cover your coughs and wash your hands.
It could turn out to be nothing much, as did the great swine flu scare of 1976. But there's no way to know that this newish virus, already recombined from old ones, won't recombine again to produce something worse.
Websites with good information:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
And in case you're wondering about that H-number-N-number designation, here's an explanation.