A topic, receiving national and worldwide coverage recently has been the Swine Flu. Although we are hearing a lot about it, for most, it isn't something to focus too much energy on.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs."

People can not contract the disease by eating pork products that are properly cooked. It is contracted, rather by being in close proximity to infected animals.

Once again according to the CDC, "In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine."

The symptoms would be much like a severe cold, or pneumonia. However, one should not worry to much if they aren't spending time around pigs.