If you are suffering from cough, runny nose, aches and pains along with a fever, you more than likely have the Swine Flu, correction, the H1N1 virus. Even though this virus has been declared a pandemic, it is not the end of the world. The World Health Organization reports that the number of cases of (H1N1) are continuing to increase and the worst is still ahead.They anticipate that up to 30% of the population could eventually be infected and a dramatic increase of cases will be seen this fall as kids return to school.

I know from experience that you can avoid contracting the disease. I recently took care of my sister who had the virus. As soon as she fell ill, she stayed isolated in her bedroom. If she needed anything, she would call me on my cell phone. All her meals, drinks and medications were prepared outside of her room and brought to her. I developed a system where I would wear a surgical mask when I entered her room and I kept my distance. She in turn tried to cough into a tissue. Any dishes I removed from her room would instantly be run through the dishwasher. After leaving her room, I washed my hands with a hand sanitizer and I was very cautious in avoiding touching my face. Sanitary wipes were used to handle and wipe down anything that could have become contaminated such as door handles.

We were advised by our local health department that H1N1 patients are typically contagious for seven days from first sign of symptoms or 24 hours after the last symptom has disappeared, whichever is longer. She felt ill for about 8 days and had a lingering cough for a couple days after that. She described the virus as the worst flu she had ever had, nothing to take lightly.

I hope this experience will help others who are exposed and if you’re a survivor, get your H1N1 2009 outbreak survivor button and let others know this virus can be beaten. For the latest and best information on this subject visit the W.H.O website.