Usually, we here at Privacy Council give you information about spam, scams and computer viruses that might compromise your personal privacy and the health of your computer. But in light of recent news, we’d like to devote this post to the Swine Flu and what precautions you can take to protect yourself and your family from this virus. After all, keeping your family safe from the Swine Flu isn’t that different from keeping your files safe from a computer virus: It’s all about taking precautions.

First, the stuff you already know. Swine Flu is spreading. The virus originated in Mexico and has since spread around the globe, with UPI reporting at least 148 cases worldwide and an increased alert level from the World Health Organization (up to a level 5, which is the highest it’s been since the 6-level system was put into place in 2005). Nearly 100 cases were reported in 11 U.S. states as of this morning, 51 of which are in New York. According to Bloomberg.com, the government has begun to warn of school closings and increased precautions (in Texas, several school districts are already closed, and high school sporting events have been canceled for more than 1 million students). Many deaths in Mexico are blamed on Swine Flu, though the exact number is something of a mystery. Drug companies are working on vaccines and stepping up production of antivirals, and everyone is bracing for the next announcement about how this disease is spreading. So if you weren’t taking it seriously before, it might be time to start. Like a virulent computer bug, this one spreads best via those who don’t take the right precautions to prevent it.

There are ways to protect yourself and your family from this virus. It is, after all, the flu, albeit a new and particularly brutal strain. Five to 20 percent of Americans catch the “regular” flu each year, and 36,000 Americans die from it, so while hospitalizations and deaths are expected from the Swine Flu, we can’t pretend that it’s causing the only flu-related deaths we’ve ever experienced. And since the Swine Flu spreads like the seasonal flu, hand washing, healthy living, good hygiene and a measure of caution are excellent precautions against catching it.

You know how we always remind you not to click on strange links, open files that are attached to strange emails, or give away your sensitive data to strangers? And how we encourage the use of anti-virus software to keep your files safe? That sort of common-sense behavior works the same for avoiding the flu: Don’t touch something if you don’t know where it came from or how clean it is, minimize contact with others, and keep your own hands as clean as possible.

Here are some flu-prevention tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others: Wash your hands with soap frequently, and encourage your family to do the same. Don’t shake hands with others or touch surfaces (such as desks, public phones and other communal surfaces) if you can help it. Avoid being in the proximity of anyone with a cough or sneeze, especially those who don’t bother to cover it. Cover your own coughs or sneezes with a tissue, and wash your hands after you cough or sneeze. Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. since viruses spread very easily through contact with the face. Take care of your overall health by eating right, staying active and getting enough sleep. And of course, stay home if you start feeling sick, and keep kids home from school if they start showing symptoms.  

What should you do if you DO have symptoms (which include a fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, body aches, chills, fatigue and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting)?  Stay home, get rest and drink plenty of fluids. Antivirals, available from your doctor, can help take the edge off the worst of it and help you get better faster. But if you or your kids start having difficulty breathing, or if you have confusion, dizziness or persistent vomiting, get to the hospital. This is not something to mess around with.

Be cautious, be safe, and keep washing those hands. And next time, we’ll be back to our usual tips on protecting your privacy and the environment, including signing up for the Privacy Council’s List Removal Service. You know, the one that takes you off the major marketing lists and cuts your junk mail to almost nothing… Feel free to sign up now while you’re thinking about it, and stay healthy!