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7 Myths about Swine Flu Busted!

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Swine Flu coverage is everywhere-on radio, television and newspapers. However a lot of misinformation seems to be doing the rounds and this is causing unnecessary panic. Here are some facts about swine flu which will definitely provide some relief to you and your family:-

Myth 1: Eating pork can be dangerous

There is absolutely no truth in this. When you eat pork, make sure it is well cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills off most of the bacteria, including the virus responsible for swine flu.

Myth 2: Flu is fatal

Though the flu is contagious, it is not deadly. A doctor clarifies, “A lot of people are prone to the flu, but you will ultimately survive it. The victims would be the people who have low immunity”

Myth 3: Mexican food can cause swine flu

Not at all, say the experts. Swine flu is definitely not caused by food supply, be it Indian or Mexican food.

Myth 4: Face mask is a sure -shot way of protecting oneself from swine flu

The answer could be a yes and a no at the same time. Although, one can use a face mask to protect oneself, it does not give guaranteed protection.

Myth 5: Flu is dangerous just for the elderly

This is one of the biggest myths. Anyone is susceptible, be it the elderly people or the younger generation, including children. Though there has been no evidence to prove that children are the most affected, but going by past instances there might be a possibility of young children being more vulnerable to swine flu.

Myth 6: The seasonal flu vaccine prevents swine flu

The vaccine for seasonal flu does not protect one against swine flu. Medical experts are working on developing a vaccine for swine flu, but that would take a couple of months.

Myth 7: The swine flu outbreak is worse than the SARS pandemic of 2000-03.

This is absolutely false. The SARS pandemic saw about 774 deaths which is much more than the people who have been affected by H1N1.

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Swine flu scare in DU

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Swine flu has hit the country and how! Delhi University is not far behind here; students are caught up in their own perceptions about the flu, and are affected by the national mania, to say the least.

As one travels by the metro, one can see lots of students with masks on their faces as a precautionary measure. We are not even talking about the N-95 masks here; these are the normal disposable masks, which are quite easily available over the counter. That apart, one can see safety measures being followed in various colleges. Hans Raj for instance, has put up a notice stating that anybody with flu like symptoms should get himself/herself clinically assessed and stay at home, if need be. The staffs as well as students in DU are in the midst of the swine flu scare, and why not? With almost all national newspapers giving it prime space on their papers, this issue is bound to get out of control. Masks have not yet been seen on college campuses, but if it is blown out of proportion in the same way as it is being done presently, that is inevitable.

In fact, in colleges such as Hansraj and LSR rumors seem to be spreading faster than the flu itself. In Hans Raj, Mr. Subhash Kalra, one of the office department, developed fever on the 8th of August. In a matter of days, the news spread that somebody has contracted swine flu in college. Many students were not aware of this piece of news, except for a few. The office department was well aware though, and according to Kalra, this created some panic, which was enough to materialize into a rumor.

Meanwhile in LSR, one of the hostellers contracted fever, and yet again, swine flu mania preceded logic, and led to unnecessary panic.

However, exceptions are always there. Madhu Nath, a regular commuter in the metro says, “H1N1 is not a new virus. I guess people with poor resistance are more prone to be affected. I’m not scared. It’s an individual’s personal choice whether they want to use masks or not, and personally, I don’t think it’s required for all. It’s like any other flu, if you have contracted it, just stay at home!”

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Top 5 Ways to Avoid Swine Flu

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  1. Bunk College, dull family functions, the birthday parties of people you don’t like etc. If they love you, your parents can’t force you to go to a place where there’s a risk that their delicate darling might contract a deadly disease, can they?

  2. Go to Tibet and join a monastery: you’ll avoid contracting any disease and there’s a chance you might achieve enlightenment – which is a lot more than can be said for the early morning Economic History of India lecture.

  3. Buy a mask – this might make you uncomfortable and hot but you’ll avoid having to spend a week at home with diarrhea and it’ll make it easier for you to rob a bank.

  4. Go to the Bahamas for a holiday. Your dad makes too much money anyway.

  5. Pretend to have swine flu and stay at home – your annoying relatives and neighbours will avoid you. Freely surf the net and watch the kind of depraved videos you normally wouldn’t for fear of your parents sticking their heads into the room.

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