Everyone’s all abuzz with panic nowadays it seems. That’s mostly because after SARS and bird flu, another new strain of virus has managed to rear its head. The H1N1 influenza virus, more popularly known as the swine flu, exploded on to the global scene last April via a large-scale infection in Mexico City.

I think everyone’s seen the images on CNN a thousand time. Surgical-masked Mexicans crowding the hospitals with worrisome shots of full hospital beds.The Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization raised their alert levels in hopes of catching and cutting off the infection at the bud, but it seems that cases have been reported all over the world. It seems that the current fatalities from disease are from Mexico but everyone is just expecting for the other shoe to drop.

To understand all of this panic, you need to have a little background. Influenza, or more popularly known as the flu, is probably one of the most infectious diseases out there. Airborne and highly contagious, it could spread like wildfire all across the world. Now you’re asking what’s the matter with a few people getting a bit of sniffles? That’s because this isn’t your ordinary flu.
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Today, we all enjoy more accessible contact with cultures around the world. As quickly as you can travel thousands of miles, an infectious disease can be your silent companion, landing at your destination and spreading like wildfire. Infectious diseases are on the rise. Bacteria and viruses are mutating quickly these days, as various strains become resistant to more antibiotics.

Diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and polio are now making a comeback. New diseases, such as swine flu, bird flu and mad cow disease are breaking out in unexpected places. These diseases warrant your attention, but there’s not much you can currently do to protect against them. However, there are many more common infectious diseases which you can effectively ward off with a few simple but proactive steps.

Many infectious diseases are spread by a simple lack of good hygiene. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and teach your kids to do this as well. Follow up by washing your hands. This can prevent the whole family from coming down with a cold or flu. Statistics show that the average child comes down with anywhere from six to twelve colds each year. Many are preventable. Kids who sneeze, don’t cover their mouths and go right on playing with toys the next kid picks up, spread colds like wildfire.
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