Wash your hands with hot, soapy water often; don't go to work or school if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Until we know more about the swine flu outbreak, hand-washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS—A unique swine flu virus strain is responsible for the deaths of dozens of people in Mexico, and has infected at least 20 people in the United States. The World Health Organization is calling this a "public health emergency of international concern." The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared a public health emergency, a procedural step that makes resources available while HHS and other Federal authorities evaluate the situation and plan a response. Symptoms of swine flu include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

THE DETAILS: Usually swine flu is contracted from contact with infected pigs, but in the current outbreaks, the influenza virus seem to be passed along between humans, too. It's believed that swine flu is responsible for hundreds cases of infection in Mexico, including at least 59 deaths. In the U.S., there have been 20 confirmed cases in California, Kansas, New York, Ohio, and Texas. On Sunday, reports chronicled what appears to be a global spread, with people possibly sickened with swine flu in New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Spain. In all U.S. cases, the patients have since recovered from the disease, and only one case required hospitalization.

WHAT IT MEANS: There are many unanswered questions about the swine flu outbreaks. Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, stated in a press conference that the declaration of emergency “sounds more severe than really it is,” and is standard procedure to free up resources needed to monitor and react to the situation. While health authorities sort everything out, the CDC recommends that we all pay closer attention to common sense tactics that help prevent flu infection.

Here are steps to take to protect yourself safe from swine flu: