The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health today reported the state's first probable case of swine influenza. Currently,Pennsylvania does not have any confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1.However, officials stressed that this probable case may not be confirmed when additional testing on samples is conducted at the federal CDC.
Influenza is a serious disease and every year, on average, 36,000 people die in the U.S. from seasonal flu. Find more key facts about influenza here. As with any influenza, citizens are reminded to take the following steps to prevent spreading illness to others:

• Take everyday actions to stay healthy, strengthen your immune system.
  
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  
• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
  

The current swine flu virus appears to be susceptible to two of the four usual anti-viral medications available. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. Recommendations for using antiviral drugs for treatment or prevention of swine influenza will change as we learn more about this new virus.

You can order CDC recommended swine flu prevention products online: