Worries over swine flu and swine flu scams may be more hazardous to your health than the actual virus.

When you work yourself into a panic about something and get all stressed out its not good for your immune system.  That can actually put you at greater risk for swine flu and any other virus floating around out there.  So my advice is “chill out”.

Remember what doctors have said about prevention.  Good hand washing is your best protection.

Also, know the symptoms : congestion, cough, fever, muscle aches and being really tired  (regular flu symptoms).  If you experience them call your doctor.  There are medications (antivirals) that can help lessen the symptoms and duration of the flu.

Next, beware of scammers.  Wouldn’t you know it people are trying to take advantage of others fears over swine flu too.    If a message pops in your inbox just delete it.

Most of these emails will direct you to an online pharmacy.   You should know there is no swine flu vaccination so don’t buy one.   You also don’t want to buy the antivirals (Tamiflu and Relenza) because  Doctors say you’re only protected while taking them – so how do you know when to stop?   if you take them too much they’ll lose their effectiveness.     Viruses get smart, change and can morph so  the medicine won’t work at all  (that’s the same reason docs have stopped prescribing so many antibiotics).

Oh, and one other thing when you buy online without a proper prescription from an unknown company you never know what you’re gonna get.  How can you be sure what you’re taking?

Remember the regular seasonal flu kills more than 36,000 a year. Keep it in perspective and you’ll feel a lot better.