The Lantern Blog

After close examination by doctors, a case of swine flu has been found in Ohio’s Lorain County.

Swine flu is a variant of influenza that is caused by exposure to infected pigs.  The virus can mutate into a transmittable disease between humans.

The current strain of Swine Flu that has been found recently around the country has been linked to Mexico.  The nine-year-old boy who came down with the Swine Flu had been traveling in Mexico just a few days before he experienced symptoms.

Symptoms of the Swine Flu are very similar to that of seasonal influenza.  Flu shots taken for the seasonal flu are generally considered unlikely to provide protection against this fairly new strain.

What can you do if you come down with the Swine Flu?  Simply put—stay at home!  It is currently unknown how easily this strain will be passed from human to human, but scientists have not ruled out the possibility that it could cause widespread issues.  Individuals recovering from the Swine Flu are generally considered to be contagious up to seven days after they feel better.

In terms of prevention, frequent hand washing is highly recommended to put airborne germs at bay.

Are you taking any precautions with the news of Swine Flu reported in Ohio?