What we can do to prevent swine flu from spreading

Okay, so the threat is there. What can we do now to protect ourselves from swine flu that's taking innocent people's lives day after day in Mexico and is quickly spreading danger in other parts of the world?

Since it is a new strain of virus, it has no existing vaccine yet as of now. BBC reported that the first batch of vaccines could be ready in about four to six months but it will take even longer to produce massive quantities and distribute.

Here's what we can do to prevent swine flu from spreading, according to health authorities:

1. Wash hands regularly and properly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer/alcohol when water is not available.
2. Cover nose and mouth with tissue when you sneeze or cough. Dispose of the tissue properly and immediately.
3. Avoid close contact with flu-infected people. You'll never know if it's swine flu that's making them sick.
4. Refrain from touching your eyes, mouth and nose to prevent germs from spreading.
5. If you're ill, stay home or seek immediate medical attention to avoid infecting other people and to ensure your full recovery.

For more FAQs about swine flu, click here.

Swine flu scare:how scary is it?

I'm watching CNN now as I write this post. They're talking about this swine flu that is suspected to claim the lives of some 68 people in Mexico and is believed to have sickened some 1,000 more. The World Health Organization has expressed fear that the swine flu has the potential to be pandemic. Reports of suspected similar cases were also noted in New York, California and Texas. Could these cases really be related to each other in any way given the distance? Can these cases be contained?

Authorities advise people to be extra cautious by washing hands regularly, stay home if ill and seek immediate medical attention if having serious respiratory problems.

The least we can do now is to panic. Hope that the experts will find out the cause of this swine flu the soonest and be able to fight the disease fully before it becomes a global pandemic. As of this writing, no vaccine for this new strain of virus has been manufactured yet, according to the reports.

I don't wanna panic. God help us.