I recommend the following web site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All of the important information is clearly laid out. http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm
The current strain is being spread from person to person as described in the article.
Another important reminder is for you to continue to be aware of any announcements from their local health departments. If you feel ill, you should contact your doctors. If you don’t feel ill, the physicians will not generally be prescribing medications “just in case” unless there is reason to suspect someone has been exposed. People with compromised immune systems should follow instructions from their doctors. There is no vaccine as this is a new variant, however it is too early to tell if existing vaccines might have some positive effect. Existing anti-viral medications as described in the article seem to be effective. So far the indentified cases in the United States have not been fatal.
The important thing at this point is to be aware of any announcements from national, state and local public health authorities.
This has been a relatively mild flu season up to this point and we are nearing the end of the usual flu season. It is too early to tell if that will have an impact on reducing the severity of this event.
Rick Atterberry
University of Illinois Extension
