Swine flu. The year 2009 saw it explode upon the world stage and presently we are in the earliest stages of this possible world-wide pandemic--let us hope not it is not one.

Swine flu started it's life in Mexico, cases first noticed in March 2009. This influenza strain has appropriated attention because it jumps with ease from person to person and it is knolling the death toll so far on 10% of the people unfortunate enough to catch it.

But what exactly gives this influenza strain it's deadly power?

• The swine flu, originates, just like all forms of influenza, from a virus. Now, a virus is not alive like a bacteria is alive. It is inert, genetic bio-material.
  
• The virus molecule itself, however adheres to a living cell and injects the genetic material, like a snake with it's venom, into the cell.
  
• The swine flu virus' genetic fabric then proceeds to comandeer this cell's inherent RNA/DNA system and instructs the cell to produce clones or copies of the swine flu virus.
  
• Finally the cell, being thus treated, busts, and then virus germs are ejected to repeat the cycle.

Unbridled, this would be truly and utterly disastrous.  Unbridled all  the targeted cells of your body would fall under the onslaught of the Swine flu virus and, as outlined above, become infected and blow-out.   

Here is where the super-heroic immune system of your body comes to the rescue.  It proceeds to discover and destroy the viral invasion and saves the body from the invasion of the body-snatcher.

Another help is a vaccine.  Such injections can help preclude virus infections, but you must receive the vaccine early.  

At the moment no vaccine for this strain of swine flu exists.

Why?

First, there are a variety of strains of influenza.

Second, mutation is the name of the game with these strains.

In addition, strains of influenza infect at first, just animals (like pigs or birds), but these strains sometimes mutate enough so that they begin infecting humans. Such a scenario is precisely what happened with Swine flu. It previously infected pigs (thus the name “swine flu”), but it mutated in a way that permitted it to leap to humans and that is how it is spread--person to person.

How does it spread?

• You take in by breathing or swallowing a tiny virus molecule.
  
• This particle then dominates a cell in your respiratory system.
  
• That cell perishes and then releases fresh particles to infect fresh cells.
• After a few days sufficient virus particles are released in order to kill sufficient cells so that symptoms appear.
  

The development of the symptoms can show up rapidly. Between breakfast and lunch may see you feeling great to horrible--that quickly.

The symptoms indicate that your immune system is sorting out the problem and trying to eliminate the virus. And you must replace lost cells--this takes time.

If the virus can kills too many cells too quickly the infected person can succumb. It is a fact that many thousands of people die worldwide every year from various flu strains.

So what can you do to keep this Swime flu at bay?

Best advice would be to stay alone in at home until this outbreak is contained.Not everyone can do that, but if you can you should if you really want to stay free of it.

Barring that, wear a surgical mask and wash your hands as many times a day as possible.