Alyssa Gallery

15 Cancer Symptoms Women Ignore

2009-09-04T03:39:00.000-07:00

Women tend to be more vigilant than men about getting recommended health checkups and cancer screenings, according to studies and experts.

They're generally more willing, as well, to get potentially worrisome symptoms checked out.With that healthy balance between denial and hypochondria in mind, the symptoms that may not immediately make a woman worry about cancer, but that should be checked out. Below 15 possible cancer symptoms women often ignore.

No. 1: Unexplained Weight Loss

Many women would be delighted to lose weight without trying. But unexplained weight loss -- say 10 pounds in a month without an increase in exercise or a decrease in food intake -- should be checked out, Mishori says.

"Unexplained weight loss is cancer unless proven not," she says. It could, of course, turn out to be another condition, such as an overactive thyroid.

Expect your doctor to run tests to check the thyroid and perhaps order a CT scan of different organs. The doctor needs to "rule out the possibilities, one by one," Mishori says.

No. 2: Bloating

Bloating is so common that many women just live with it. But it could point to ovarian cancer. Other symptoms of ovarian cancer include abdominal pain or pelvic pain, feeling full quickly -- even when you haven't eaten much -- and urinary problems, such as having an urgent need to go to the bathroom.

If the bloating occurs almost every day and persists for more than a few weeks, you should consult your physician. Expect your doctor to take a careful history and order a CT scan and blood tests, among others.

No. 3: Breast Changes

Most women know their breasts well, even if they don't do regular self-exams, and know to be on the lookout for lumps. But that's not the only breast symptom that could point to cancer. Redness and thickening of the skin on the breast, which could indicate a very rare but aggressive form of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer, also needs to be examined, Linden says. "If you have a rash that persists over weeks, you have to get it evaluated," she says.

Likewise, if the look of a nipple changes, or if you notice discharge (and aren’t breastfeeding), see your doctor. "If it's outgoing normally and turns in," she says, that's not a good sign. "If your nipples are inverted chronically, no big deal." It's the change in appearance that could be a worrisome symptom.

If you have breast changes, expect your doctor to take a careful history, examine the breast, and order tests such as a mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and perhaps a biopsy.

No. 4: Between-Period Bleeding or Other Unusual Bleeding

''Premenopausal women tend to ignore between-period bleeding," Daly says. They also tend to ignore bleeding from the GI tract, mistakenly thinking it is from their period. But between-period bleeding, especially if you are typically regular, bears checking out, she says. So does bleeding after menopause, as it could be a symptom of endometrial cancer. GI bleeding could be a symptom of colorectal cancer.

Think about what's normal for you, says Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and gynecologic cancer at the American Cancer Society in Atlanta. "If a woman never spots [between periods] and she spots, it's abnormal for her. For someone else, it might not be."

"Endometrial cancer is a common gynecologic cancer," Saslow says. "At least three-quarters who get it have some abnormal bleeding as an early sign."

Your doctor will take a careful history and, depending on the timing of the bleeding and other symptoms, probably order an ultrasound or biopsy.

No. 5: Skin Changes

Most of us know to look for any changes in moles -- a well-known sign of skin cancer. But we should also watch for changes in skin pigmentation, Daly says.

If you suddenly develop bleeding on your skin or excessive scaling, that should be checked, too, she says. It's difficult to say how long is too long to observe skin changes before you go to the doctor, but most experts say not longer than several weeks.

No. 6: Difficulty Swallowing

If you have difficulty swallowing, you may have already changed your diet so chewing isn't so difficult, perhaps turning to soups or liquid foods such as protein shakes.

But that difficulty could be a sign of a GI cancer, such as in the esophagus, says Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society.

Expect your doctor to take a careful history and order tests such as a chest X-ray or exams of the GI tract.

No. 7: Blood in the Wrong Place

If you notice blood in your urine or your stool, don’t assume it's from a hemorrhoid, says Mishori. "It could be colon cancer."

Expect your doctor to ask questions and perhaps order testing such as a colonoscopy, an exam of the colon to look for cancer.

Seeing blood in the toilet bowl may actually be from the vagina if a woman is menstruating, Mishori says. But if not, it should be checked to rule out bladder or kidney cancer, she says.

Coughing up blood should be evaluated, too. One occasion of blood in the wrong place may not point to anything, Mishori says, but if it happens more than once, go see your doctor.

No. 8: Gnawing Abdominal Pain and Depression

Any woman who's got a pain in the abdomen and is feeling depressed needs a checkup, says Lichtenfeld. Some researchers have found a link between depression and pancreatic cancer, but it's a poorly understood connection.

No. 9: Indigestion

Women who have been pregnant may remember the indigestion that occurred as they gained weight. But indigestion for no apparent reason may be a red flag.

It could be an early clue to cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or throat.

Expect your doctor to take a careful history and ask questions about the indigestion before deciding which tests to order, if any.

No. 10: Mouth Changes

Smokers should be especially alert for any white patches inside the mouth or white spots on the tongue, according to the American Cancer Society. Both can point to a precancerous condition called leukoplakia that can progress to oral cancer.

Ask your dentist or doctor to take a look and decide what should be done next.

No. 11: Pain

As people age they seem to complain more of various aches and pains, but pain, as vague as it may be, can also be an early symptom of some cancers, although most pain complaints are not from cancer.

Pain that persists and is unexplained needs to be checked out. Expect your physician to take a careful history, and based on that information decide what further testing, if any, is needed.

No. 12: Changes in the Lymph Nodes

If you notice a lump or swelling in the lymph nodes under your armpit or in your neck -- or anywhere else -- it could be worrisome, Linden says.

"If you have a lymph node that gets progressively larger, and it's [been] longer than a month, see a doctor," she says. Your doctor will examine you and figure out any associated issues (such as infection) that could explain the lymph node enlargement.

If there are none, your doctor will typically order a biopsy.

No. 13: Fever

If you have a fever that isn't explained by influenza or other infection, it could point to cancer. Fevers more often occur after cancer has spread from its original site, but it can also point to early blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma, according to the American Cancer Society.

Other cancer symptoms can include jaundice, or a change in the color of your stool.

Expect your doctor to conduct a careful physical exam and take a medical history, and then order tests such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or other tests, depending on the findings.

No. 14: Fatigue

Fatigue is another vague symptom that could point to cancer -- as well as a host of other problems. It can set in after the cancer has grown, but it may also occur early in certain cancers, such as leukemia or with some colon or stomach cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

No. 15: Persistent Cough

Coughs are expected with colds, the flu, allergies, and sometimes are a side effect of medications. But a very prolonged cough -- defined as lasting more than three or four weeks -- should not be ignored, Mishori says.

You would expect your doctor to take a careful history, examine your throat, check out your lung functioning and perhaps order X-rays, especially if you are a smoker.

How is an earache from a cold or ear infection treated?

2009-09-04T03:38:00.001-07:00

An ear infection is usually treatable, and permanent damage to the ear or to the hearing is much less common today with proper treatment. Treatment may include medications for pain and fever, antibiotics for bacterial ear infections, and/or observation of symptoms.

* Pain relief for an earache
Acetaminophen or ibuprofencan help relieve an earache with a cold or a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit. These medications usually control the ear pain within 1 to 2 hours. (Earaches tend to hurt more at bedtime.)
* Antibiotics for an ear infection
Prescribed antibiotics will kill the bacteria causing the ear infection. They are not needed to treat an earache due to a cold or a virus. Antibiotics may cause nausea, diarrhea, rashes, or yeast infections and may interact with other medications.
* Myringotomy (ear tubes) to relieve ear fluid
If fluid remains in the ear for more than 3 months or if your child has repeated ear infections, your doctor may insert small metal or plastic tubes through the eardrum to help keep the ear free of fluid and infection. This outpatient procedure is usually performed on children and is done under general anesthesia. The tubes usually remain in from 8 to 18 months and normally fall out on their own. In some instances, the doctor may choose to leave the tubes in longer.

How is an ear infection diagnosed?

2009-09-04T03:37:00.001-07:00

When your doctor suspects an ear infection, he or she will examine the ear using an instrument called an otoscope. A healthy eardrum is pinkish gray in color and transparent. If an ear infection is present, the eardrum may be inflamed, swollen, or red. The doctor may also check the fluid in the middle ear using a pneumatic otoscope. This instrument blows a small amount of air at the eardrum, causing the eardrum to move back and forth. The eardrum will not move as readily if fluid is present inside the ear.

Another useful diagnostic tool for ear infections is tympanometry. This is a test that uses sound and air pressure to check for fluid in the middle ear (it cannot test hearing).

Earache: Cold or Ear Infection?

2009-09-04T03:36:00.000-07:00

Got an earache? How do you know if your earache is from a cold or an ear infection called otitis media? Here's how to tell the difference.
How do earache symptoms from a cold compare with symptoms from an ear infection?

An earache from a cold can be a sharp, dull, or burning pain that can range from mild to very painful. Even if the trapped fluid in the ear is not infected, the fluid puts pressure on the eardrum, causing it to bulge and throb.

With an earache from a cold, you or your child may have difficulty sleeping, run a fever, and have green or yellow mucus in the nose. Because colds are self-limiting, an earache with a cold usually goes away on its own. Still, if you have an earache, an ear infection may be likely, which means you might need to see your doctor for a diagnosis and proper treatment.

While earaches can occur first with a cold virus, sometimes a secondary ear infection may occur. These ear infections are usually sudden in onset and extremely painful in the beginning. That's because the sensory nerve endings in the eardrum respond to increased pressure with pain. After the eardrum stretches a little, the earache pain may ease up.

Other symptoms of an earache from an ear infection may include the following:

* Loss of appetite. This may be apparent in young children, especially during bottle feedings. Pressure changes in the middle ear as the child swallows, causing more pain.
* Irritability.
* Poor sleep. Pain may be more persistent when lying down as fluid is shifting.
* Fever. Ear infections can cause temperatures up to 104 degrees F.
* Vertigo . You may have a sense of spinning.
* Drainage from the ear. Yellow, brown, or white fluid that isn't earwax may seep from the ear, indicating the eardrum has ruptured.
* Difficulty hearing. Fluid build-up in the middle ear prevents the eardrum from functioning properly. The sound is then unable to be transmitted to the bones of the middle ear and from there to the brain.
* Otitis media with effusion. Symptoms of acute otitis media will disappear, but the fluid, which is called an effusion, may remain. Trapped fluid causes temporary and mild hearing loss.

Stopping Swine Flu Up to You

2009-08-31T00:29:00.000-07:00

Who's on the front line of this fall's flu fight? You are.

The first part to stop Swine Flu:

* Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Use soap and warm water when available; use hand sanitizer between hand washings.
* Avoid close contact with sick people. Close contact means getting within 6 feet of a sick person. If you must care for someone who is ill, minimize close contact.
* It's not known whether face masks protect against infection. If you use one, don't slack off on hand washing or avoiding close contact with sick people. Use the face mask properly and throw it away after use.
* Get your seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. It's safe, and it protects against the three seasonal flu bugs expected to circulate this fall and winter -- even though it won't protect against H1N1 swine flu.

The second part of the plan is to keep from spreading the swine flu virus:

* Stay home if you are sick.
* Observe flu etiquette. Don't cough or sneeze into your hands. Cough/sneeze into a tissue -- or, failing that, your elbow.
* If you can do so comfortably, wear a face mask if you come into contact with others.
* If you are an employer, do not penalize workers for staying home if sick or for caring for sick children.
* Make plans -- now -- for what you'd do if you or your children get sick this fall.

What are common flu symptoms?

2009-08-27T07:12:00.001-07:00

Whether a person has typical seasonal flu or swine flu, the symptoms seem to be quite similar. Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and come on quickly. Symptoms of swine flu and seasonal flu include sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough. Swine flu in particular is also associated with vomiting and diarrhea.

Most flu symptoms gradually improve over two to five days, but it's not uncommon to feel run down for a week or more. A common complication of the flu is pneumonia, particularly in the young, elderly, or people with lung or heart problems. If you notice shortness of breath, you should let your doctor know. Another common sign of pneumonia is fever that comes back after having been gone for a day or two.

Just like cold viruses, flu viruses enter your body through the mucous membranes of your nose, eyes, or mouth. Every time you touch your hand to one of these areas, you could be infecting yourself with a virus, which makes it very important to keep your hands germ-free with frequent washing to prevent both flu and cold symptoms.

How long do cold symptoms last?

2009-08-27T07:11:00.001-07:00

Cold symptoms usually last for about a week. During the first three days that you have cold symptoms, you are contagious. This means you can pass the cold to others, so stay home and get some much-needed rest.

If cold symptoms do not seem to be improving after a week, you may have a bacterial infection, which means you may need antibiotics.

Sometimes you may mistake cold symptoms for allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or a sinus infection. If your cold symptoms begin quickly and are improving after a week, then it is usually a cold, not allergy. If your cold symptoms do not seem to be getting better after a week, check with your doctor to see if you have developed an allergy or sinusitis.

What are common cold symptoms?

2009-08-27T07:09:00.001-07:00

Cold symptoms usually begin with a sore throat, which usually goes away after a day or two. Nasal symptoms, runny nose, and congestion follow, along with a cough by the fourth and fifth days. Fever is uncommon in adults, but a slight fever is possible. Children are more likely to have a fever with a cold.

With cold symptoms, your nose teems with watery nasal secretions for the first few days. Later, these become thicker and darker. Dark mucus is natural and does not usually mean you have developed a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection.

Several hundred different viruses may cause your cold symptoms.

Flu or Cold Symptoms

2009-08-27T07:04:00.001-07:00

When you wake up sneezing, coughing, and have that achy, feverish, can't move a muscle feeling, how do you know whether you have cold symptoms or the flu? And if it's the flu, could it be swine flu?

It's important to know the difference between flu and cold symptoms. A cold is a milder respiratory illness than the flu. While cold symptoms can make you feel bad for a few days, flu symptoms can make you feel quite ill for a few days to weeks. The flu -- whether it's typical seasonal flu or the swine flu virus -- can also result in serious health problems such as pneumonia and hospitalizations.

Sore Tjroat: Cold, Strep Throat, or Tonsillitis?

2009-08-25T03:07:00.000-07:00

Got a sore throat? Wonder if your painful sore throat is from a cold, strep throat, or tonsillitis? Here's how to tell.
What's the difference between a cold, strep throat, and tonsillitis?

A sore throat is often the first sign of a cold. However, a sore throat from a cold often gets better or goes away after the first day or two. Other cold symptoms such as a runny nose and congestion may follow the sore throat.

Strep throat, which is caused by Streptococcus bacteria, is one of the major causes of sore throat and tonsillitis. With strep throat, the sore throat is often more severe and persists. While a cold goes away on its own, strep throat usually requires antibiotics.

Tonsillitis is a painful infection of the tonsils, the tissue masses located at the back of the throat.
Is a sore throat with a cold caused by a virus or bacteria?

Sore throats can be caused by viruses or bacteria. To determine the cause of your sore throat, your doctor may do a strep test. However, there may be some clues. Viral sore throats are often accompanied by other cold symptoms that may include a runny nose, cough, red or watery eyes, and sneezing.
Along with a sore throat, what are other cold symptoms?

Other cold symptoms include the following:

* Runny nose
* Sneezing
* Cough
* Headache
* Nasal congestion
* Fever, which may or may not be present and which is more likely in children

How are sore throats with colds treated?

While there is no cure for a sore throat caused by a cold virus, to speed healing of your sore throat and cold, be sure to get enough rest. Eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of fluids can also help speed healing.
Can medications relieve symptoms of a sore throat with a cold?

Over-the-counter cold medications may relieve cold and sore throat symptoms. However, the benefits of these medications are minimal. Some cold medications include the following:

* Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, to relieve the aches and pains of a cold and sore throat. (Aspirin should not be given to children under the age of 18 because of its link to Reye's syndrome, a disorder that mostly affects children 4 to 12 years old and causes brain damage and death.)
* Sore throat sprays and lozenges to soothe your throat and numb the throat pain temporarily.
* Decongestant nasal sprays to relieve a sore throat caused by postnasal drip -- nasal drainage that runs down your throat. (Be sure to stop using nasal decongestant sprays after 3 days, or you may have an increase in congestion when you stop them.)

Antibiotics should not be used to treat a cold virus and sore throat. Antibiotics are effective only against bacteria. They will not work on sore throats associated with colds, which are caused by viruses, and may cause future infections to be worse and last longer.

When a Cold Becomes a Sinus Infection

2009-08-24T05:18:00.000-07:00

Ever get a sinus infection following a bad cold? It's called sinusitis. After a cold, you are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection because a cold causes inflammation and swelling of the sinuses. While sinusitis and cold symptoms can make you miserable, they are common problems and affect millions of Americans each day. Here's up-to-date information you should have about sinusitis and colds.
What is a common cold?

The common cold, an upper respiratory infection, is usually caused by a virus that infects the nose and throat.

Common cold symptoms include nasal congestion; runny nose; post-nasal drip, which is a drop-by-drop release of nasal fluid into the back of the throat; headache; and fatigue. Cough and mild fever may also accompany these symptoms.

Cold symptoms usually build, peak, and slowly disappear. No treatment is necessary for a cold, but some medications can ease symptoms. For example, decongestants may decrease drainage and open the nasal passages. Pain relievers may help with fever and headache. Cough medication may help as well. Colds will typically last from a few days to about a week or longer.

In some instances, a cold may cause swelling in the sinuses, preventing the outflow of mucus. This can lead to a sinus infection. If you have sinus pain -- pain around the face and eyes -- and thick yellow or green mucus that persist after a week, then you should see your doctor to determine if you have a sinus infection.
What is a sinus infection?

A sinus infection is inflammation or swelling of your sinuses. Normally, your sinuses are filled with air. When the sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, bacteria can grow there and cause infection. This infection is sinusitis.
What are the symptoms of a sinus infection?

Symptoms of a sinus infection include the following:

* Thick, yellow, foul-smelling nasal discharge
* Pressure or pain around the face and eyes
* Headache (generally in the forehead area)
* Nasal obstruction
* Congestion
* Post-nasal drip
* A cold that won't go away
* Fever or cough that may or may not be present

Keep in mind that these symptoms can also be seen with a cold. But if the pain around your face and eyes and the thick nasal discharge continue for more than a week, you may have sinusitis.
What causes sinus infections?

Any condition that blocks off the sinus drainage channels can cause a sinus infection. Such conditions include colds, allergies such as hay fever, non-allergic rhinitis, and nasal polyps, which are small growths in the lining of your nose.

Sinusitis may occur after a cold or may result from anatomic problems such as a deviated septum, which refers to a shift in the nasal cavity. If not treated, a sinus infection can last for many weeks.

Common Cold Complications

2009-08-24T05:17:00.001-07:00

While normal cold symptoms are irritating, common cold complications can be more serious. Common cold complications such as sinusitis, bronchitis, or ear infections can make you feel sick — to the point that you might need antibiotics or other medications to get well.

While it’s important to understand how to treat a common cold, it’s also important to know the signs of more serious common cold complications.
Common Cold Complications: More Serious Problems

Usually, normal common cold symptoms don’t need to be checked out by your doctor. Symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, and fatigue generally go away on their own. If you have severe body aches or a fever over 102, you may have the flu. It’s a good idea to check with your doctor if you have flu symptoms. Medications may be able to shorten the duration of flu symptoms.

But sometimes, colds lead to other, more serious medical complications, including:

* Sinus infections (sinusitis)
* Asthma attacks
* Bronchitis (chest cold)
* Ear infections

In addition, if you have a health condition such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema, you might experience several weeks of respiratory symptoms long after the cold is over. Let’s look at some of the common cold complications that occur.
Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)

A sinus infection is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities. This inflammation causes the mucous glands in the sinuses to secrete more mucus. When the passages in your sinuses become blocked, pressure develops and your nose may feel plugged. If your cold lingers for more than a week and you begin to have pain in the sinus area, headache, upper tooth pain, nasal obstruction, cough, thick yellow or green nasal drainage, call your doctor. You may have a sinus infection.

For in-depth information, see WebMD's article on When a Cold Becomes a Sinus Infection.
Asthma Attack

If you have asthma, a cold can make you feel congested and make you cough as you try to expel mucus from the throat or lungs. You might have a dry cough and wheeze initially with an asthma attack. Then you may experience feelings of breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. If you notice worsening of your asthma, follow your asthma action plan. If you continue to get worse, call your doctor or get medical treatment immediately.

For in-depth information, see WebMD's article on Asthma and Colds.
Bronchitis (Chest Cold)

Acute bronchitis (also called a chest cold) is an inflammation and irritation of the airways caused by a bacterial or viral infection. With bronchitis or chest cold, you may have a cough with production of mucus, which may be thick and yellow or occasionally blood streaked. Most people recover without medical treatment. If these symptoms persist for more than a week or you develop shortness of breath, call your doctor or get medical treatment immediately.

Advice on how to identify H1N1 from normal fever...

2009-08-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

When children has fever, the dr will prescribe the fever medicine to consume either in 4 or 6 hours period. I think all of you guys know very well on this.

Normally the fever will go down after taken the medicine, and it will come back after 3 or 6 hours. But if it for H1N1 infectious, the fever will not be going down after taking the medicine and it will consistantly stay at high temperature for hours.

And if this condition continous for 48 hrs, then the possibility of H1N1 infectious will be very high. For this case, i mean consistant high fever for 48 hrs, dr will straight away give the patient the H1N1 antiviral treatment, ie Tamiflu treatment for period of 7 days.

Common Cold or Allergies?

2009-08-21T01:07:00.001-07:00

You've got a runny nose, a cough, and congestion. So have you caught a cold or is it allergies? Unfortunately, it's often hard to tell -- even for doctors. But here's information that may help. Read on to learn more about the causes and treatment of cold and allergy symptoms.
What are Colds and Allergies?

Colds are caused by hundreds of different viruses. When one of these viruses gets into your body, your immune system attacks. Some of the effects of this immune response are the classic symptoms of a cold, such as congestion and coughing.

The germs that cause colds are contagious. You can pick them up when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or shakes hands with you. After a couple of weeks, at the most, your immune system fights off the virus and you stop having symptoms.

Allergies are caused by an overactive immune system. For some reason, your body mistakes harmless substances -- such as mold or pollen -- for germs and attacks them. Your body releases chemicals such as histamine, just as it does when fighting a cold. This can cause swelling in your nasal passages, a runny nose, coughing, and sneezing. Allergies are not contagious, although some people may inherit a tendency to develop them.
Differences Between Colds and Allergies

Swine Flu

2009-08-21T01:06:00.001-07:00

The swine flu virus in the U.S. is the same one causing a deadly epidemic in Mexico. What is swine flu? What can we do about it? WebMD answers your questions.

* What is swine flu?
* What are swine flu symptoms?
* Who is at highest risk of H1N1 swine flu?
* If I think I have swine flu, what should I do?
* How does swine flu spread?
* How is swine flu treated?
* Is there a vaccine against the new swine flu virus?
* I had a flu vaccine this season. Am I protected against swine flu?
* How can I prevent swine flu infection?
* Should I wear a face mask or respirator?
* How long does the flu virus survive on surfaces?
* Can I still eat pork?
* What else should I be doing during the swine flupandemic?
* How severe is swine flu?
* Why has the swine flu infection been deadlier in Mexico than in other countries?
* Have there been previous swine flu outbreaks?
* I was vaccinated against the 1976 swine flu virus. Am I still protected?
* How many people have swine flu?
* How serious is the public health threat of a swine flu epidemic?

H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Delayed

2009-08-21T01:01:00.000-07:00

Aug. 20, 2009 - By November, the U.S. will have only half the doses of H1N1 swine flu vaccine originally predicted, officials from the Department of Health and Human Services now say.

By Oct. 15, the U.S. now expects to have 45 million doses of the new vaccine on hand. Every week after that, another 20 million doses should roll in until the nation has all 195 million doses it's contracted for from five vaccine makers.
Swine Flu Outbreak: Get the Facts

Get the latest swine flu facts and information from WebMD, the CDC and other public health agencies.

* Swine Flu Center
* Video: Swine Flu Precautions
* Swine Flu Symptoms
* Can a Mask Prevent Swine Flu?
* Swine Flu: 10 Things Not To Do
* CDC Swine Flu Updates
* World Health Organization

Swine Flu Slideshow

Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren't the same as human flu viruses. View the slideshow.