The Swine Flu, also known as Swine Influenza, refers to influenza caused by any virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, which is found in pig (swine) populations. People who work with poultry and swine, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of infection from these animals if the animals carry a strain that is also able to infect humans. The Swine Influenza Virus can mutate into a form that allows it to pass from human to human.
      Typical symptoms of swine flu are similar to the regular flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. So far, the World Health Organization has reported that 40 cases of swine flu have now been confirmed in the United States along with two swine flu related deaths.
      Recently it was announced that there was a probable swine flu case at Rockville High school, which resulted in the closure of the school until further notice.
      "I don't know about any of them but I'm not showing any symptoms, so I don't think I should be restricted to staying at home all day," Rockville High School freshman Elliott Byrnie said. Also, there are reports that there have been 28 cases of swine flu among high school students in a New York City school.
       “This thing is throwing me for a loop. I never thought it would hit this close to home," parent of an MCPS student Carole Jones said.
 SIV has also taken a toll on our economy as well. Either with being sick or trying to prevent from getting sick, people are making drastic changes in living. People would avoid movie theaters and rent DVDs instead. Hotels, restaurants and airlines would face loss of business as business travel and meetings would be replaced by teleconferences. In the cities, commuters who do go to work might bike or walk instead of using mass transit. Society as a whole would go into a self-protective crouch, and that would deliver a shock to the economy.  
      Anyone can use their own methods of not getting infected but there are easier and stress free ways to prevent sickness. Here are some tips for preventing the swine flu from affecting you. Regularly wash your hands with soap and water, If soap is not available, carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze. And immediately dispose of the tissue after use. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as the flu virus can enter your body that way. If you think you may have the flu, stay home from work or school and avoid close contact with family members and others.