Swine Flu -

On the morning show over the past few days, we've talked quite a bit about the "swine flu," also known as the H1N1 virus. I have to admit that three days ago, I wasn't worried. We were even joking about the illness, mainly because I'm a hypochondriac and I've had a cold/flu for the past week. John, my co-host, was joking that I had the "swine."

Now, I sit here with increasing concern and many questions about what will happen if there is a pandemic. At first, a pandemic didn't seem possible. Now it does. More US cases are popping up, including one "probable" case in Illinois. A few schools across the country closed today for fear of spreading the illness.

I've also been watching the news, specifically a press conference regarding the death of a toddler in a Texas. He was from Mexico and died while visiting family in that state. He passed away Monday but officials there just found out this morning that is was from H1N1.

So while I'm not one to panic, I am starting to pay more attention to what our government is saying about the illness and what we should do if there's an outbreak in our area. The Centers for Disease Control has some pretty basic advice : you should wash your hands ALOT and cover your mouths when you sneeze or cough.

Okay.

Then what?

I guess I'll be doing some more research.

I know one thing. As soon as my three children walk in the door from school, I'll give them the soap and send them directly to the sink.

Here's more info about the H1N1 from the Centers for Disease Control.

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/parents.htm?s_cid=tw_epr_83