Fact: No, by eating pork you can not get infected with swine flu. H1N1 swine flu virus does not spread this way. It is a respiratory virus, and spreads from person to person by droplets released during coughing or sneezing. ADVERTISING 2. Myth: I cannot get infected with H1N1 swine flu virus if I wear a mask. Fact: Wearing a mask does not protect from swine flu. The effectiveness of facemasks and N95 respirators in reducing the risk of influenza infection has not been evaluated in community settings. Use of facemasks and N95 respirators in community and home settings is generally not recommended. So clean your hands often with soap and water, practice good cough etiquette and if possible avoid contact with a person with flu like illness. 3. Myth: I’m a healthy adult so I cannot get infected with swine flu. Fact: Wrong, Swine flu, like seasonal flu, can infect anyone and unlike the regular seasonal flu virus which infects the elderly, swine flu infects children, teens, young adults and pregnant women. The risk of complications, hospitalization and death from swine flu is there even in young healthy adults. 4. Myth: I will get swine flu after swine flu vaccine. Fact: No. You won’t get swine flu infection because of swine flu vaccine. The vaccine is made from egg-based technology that contains particles of dead virus, and hence there is no way that influenza infection can be transmitted by influenza vaccine. 5. Myth: Vaccines are not effective and can be even dangerous. It is better that I take my child to a swine flu “get-together” where he or she will get the infection and develop a natural immunity to it. Fact: No, vaccine has minimal or absent side effects and is not dangerous. Experts recommend that if the vaccine is available get your child vaccinated with the swine flu vaccine. Swine flu parties are not recommended and can be dangerous. The risk from the vaccine is very much less as compared to the risk involved in actual exposure to the virus. 6. Myth: Cleaning hands with alcohol based sanitizer isn’t as effective as washing my hands. Fact: Washing hands is one of the best ways to prevent many common infections. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. If soap and water is not available you can use an alcohol-based hand gel to clean hands. These are also effective in killing the swine flu virus. 7. Myth: I should not take my child to the zoo as it has piglets and I’m afraid he’ll catch swine flu. Fact: This is wrong. Evidence does not suggest that the virus is being spread from pig to person. You can go the zoo and there is no reason to cancel the trip. Teach your child good hygiene measures such as; that they should wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer after touching any pet or farm animal. 8. Myth: I should stop shaking hands with people as this can infect me with swine flu virus. Fact: You can shake hands with a person as long as he or she does not have flu like symptoms. If you have flu like symptoms please avoid going to work, school or in public gatherings and do not shake hands with others. Swine flu is transmitted by virus released during coughing and sneezing in droplets that land on a susceptible host or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. 9. Myth: The regular flu shot each year can protect from swine flu as well. Fact: No, the regular flu shot doe…