No - you can’t get allergies from swine flu (also known as the H1N1 virus). However, you do have to remember the symptoms of swine flu so you don’t confuse it with an allergic-onset cold. You also have to remember your allergies if you seek treatment.

Swine flu symptoms are likely to look a lot like any flu: you could have fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people will also report runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Unfortunately, many of these symptoms - such as coughing, runny nose, sore throat and even fever and nausea - can also be brought on by allergies, seasonal and otherwise.

The good news is, with the constant media coverage of swine flu, you aren’t likely to confuse this bug with your allergies. The bad news is that you could panic at the first sign of any cold or flu-like symptom.

As with most disease, it’s best to avoid over-reacting. While the media is busy building hype (does anyone remember the impending Avian Flu pandemic?), you can do things to prevent any kind of flu. These are the same simple and straightforward ones that your mother taught you:

1. Wash your hands frequently. Don’t bother with antimicrobial soap: it’s a waste of money and no more effective than plain old hand soap. (Besides, it’s bad for the environment.) The trick with hand washing is to ensure that you wash for at least 15 seconds. That’s easy with young kids: Get their hands wet (and turn off taps to save water). Add soap. Stand with them at the sink while they (or you) sing the alphabet - or some other song that will last at least 15 to 20 seconds. Turn the taps back on and rinse. Dry your hands. You’re done.
2. Sneeze or cough into your sleeve. If you are part of the older generation, you’ll have been taught to sneeze or cough into your hands. Unfortunately, this leaves your germs on your hands - and if you aren’t close to a bathroom, you’ll have lots of time to spread those germs around. Instead, sneeze or cough into your sleeve. When you get home at night, those clothes go in the laundry.
3. Eat your vegetables (and fruits). Nothing pumps up your immune system like healthy fresh produce of all kinds. Of course, you will have to avoid your allergens - and watch out for Oral Allergy Syndrome if you have pollen allergies - but otherwise, fresh is best.

When it comes to treatments for swine flu - or any disease - remember to tell your doctor about any allergies! This could affect the prescribed approach profoundly. For instance, if a flu vaccine is developed but uses egg - and you have a deadly egg allergy - you may have to go another route. Also, many over-the-counter (OTC) medications can contain allergens of various kinds. Never just assume that you can still take a certain remedy just because you took it before. Pharmaceutical companies change formulations all the time. Always read the ingredients!

May you and yours be healthy.