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=Swine Influenza and You= Swine Flu Facts-

Swine influenza is a respiratory disease which is caused by pigs. Most outbreaks occue during the late fall and winter months. Humans usually do not get this virus unless they are so close to a pig, such as working in an industry. The symptoms for the swine flu are very similar to the symptoms of the common, every day flu. These syptoms include fever, fatique, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The swine flu spreads just like the common cold from person-to-person. If one person coughs or sneezes and they are so close to the other person that they catch some of their germs and touch their mouth or nose, they become contaminated with the virus.

Key Vocabulary- Chronic- Being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering.

CDC- Organization- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: a federal agency in the Department of Health and Human Services; located in Atlanta; investigates and diagnoses and tries to control or prevent diseases (especially new and unusual diseases).


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=Mexico swine flu deaths spur global epidemic fears= Current Events Article-

More than 1,000 people in Mexico have been sick with the Swine Flu. Authorities have close schools, museums, libraries, and theaters to comtain an outbreak from spreading even more throughout Mexico. Authorities also told the people that they should avoid hospitals, unless for emergencies, since that is the "center of infection." They are urging customers to resist shaking hands, or kissing cheeks, the "customary greetings." At Mexico City's international airport, passengers were questioned to prevent people with the flu sympptoms to board the plane and pread the disease. At the train stations, workers are handing out free surgical masks to about 5 million people per day.

Key Vocabulary- Epidemiologists- A medical scientist who studies the transmission and control of epidemic diseases.

Cabinet- Organization- A council advising a president, sovereign, etc., esp. the group of ministers or executives responsible for the government of a nation.

Thomas Abraham- World Health Organization spokesman

The 1918 Swine Flu outbreak Historical Events-

In 1918, the Swine Flu affected approximately 1/3 of the world's population, about 500 million people. People weren't so sure that this was an influenza at all. Before and after 1918, most of the flu pandemics occured in Asia and then spread to the rest of the world. The "pandemic of 1918" spread in "three distinct waves over a more-or-less twelve month period of time" in three places: Asia, Europe, and North America. All cases of SIV worldwide have been caused due to the people of the 1918 virus.

Key Vocabulary- SIV- Simian Immunodeficiency Virus
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