I don’t know much about swine flu. But at least I know what I don’t know. Lots of people think they know what they don’t know. Only they don’t know what they think they know. If you’re still with me, here’s a pretty cool piece I found debunking some of the most common myths making the rounds about swine flu.

A note on my sources: Normally, I try and stay away from using politically inclined groups like Fox News as sources. But I saw the piece cited in a number of politically neutral places. And since the story is about science and health rather than politics, I decided I was comfortable using it.

Myth 1: Swine Flu Only Infects People Who Directly Contact a Pig

Truth: Because swine flu so closely resembles the Influenza Virus, it can be contracted from another person through liquid droplets that get airborne from sneezing or coughing. You can even pick it up from a surface touched by an infected person if the virus is still live.

Myth 2: If You Have Any Flu-Like Symptoms You Have Swine Flu

Truth: This is unlikely. But if you have severe flu symptoms or a shortness of breath, check with your healthcare provider to be sure. Remember that individuals diagnosed with swine flu are currently showing only mild symptoms.

Myth 3: Consuming Pork Products Makes You Vulnerable to Swine Flu

Truth: Properly handling and cooking pork products (heated to an internal temp of 160° F) kills off most bacteria and viruses including the swine flu virus.

Myth 4: Seasonal Flu Vaccination Protects You from Swine Flu

Truth: Swine flu is a combination of influenza, avian, and swine viruses. Vaccination may help the human strain but it probably won't affect the other two forms.

Myth 5: You Should Avoid Public Events Until the Virus Is Contained

Truth: Virus strains like swine flu typically last for months. And there are only 100 or so known cases of swine flu in the U.S. to date. (Editor’s Note: I wrote this piece on Friday afternoon and I’ll bet the number of reported cases increases this weekend.) So, statistically, your chances of contracting the virus are slim to none.

Myth 6: All Individuals Are at the Same Risk of Swine Flu

Truth: A particular individual’s vulnerability to swine flu is affected by factors such as age and health of the immune system. Young healthy adults were actually more at risk in past flu pandemics because of the overreaction of the immune system to the virus. In most cases the repertory reactions were so strong that they became fatal. But anyone is susceptible, not just young and old.

Myth 7: The Current Swine Flu Outbreak Is Worse than the SARS Situation

Truth: The SARS pandemic was mostly isolated within China with less than 10 reported cases in the U.S. at that time. In addition, only 10% of the total number of individuals infected died.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,518431,00.html

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