Worried about swine flu? Experts give their opinions on whether the hype over the virus is justified. Despite the endless stream of information and data, so many parents are left with more questions than answers.
The swine flu frenzy has resurfaced from 2009 when it killed approximately 200,000 worldwide, but is it justified or is it just hype?
Per the CDC, Swine influenza is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Influenza viruses that commonly circulate in swine are called “swine influenza viruses” or “swine flu viruses.”
Researchers in China have identified an influenza virus called G4 that can infect both pigs and humans. While G4 is not yet able to spread from person to person, the scientists describe their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, that G4 has “all the essential hallmarks of a candidate pandemic virus.”
We should get in the habit for both mom and baby to wear some type of face covering or mask, especially when traveling or in large groups.
