However, December reports are beginning to show a decrease in cases affecting the United States. This is good news because the strain of H1N1 flu has been incredibly hard on the younger population who typically do not fall victim during the regular flu season. With the H1N1 outbreak, many younger individuals ended up in the hospital due to the flu and a for a larger-than-ever number of young, the flu this year proved to be fatal.

The CDC also report that for ten consecutive weeks, the death toll from pneumonia and the flu have reached an epidemic threshold. Fourteen states have reported widespread outbreaks of the H1N1 virus, with 25 other states reporting regional outbreaks. Seven states are reporting local activity and four states consider the case of swine flu to be sporadic.

While the number of H1N1 cases are starting to decline, the CDC cautions that Americans are not out of the woods just yet. Influenza ezxperts are split on what they predict for the remainder of the flu seaon. Half feel the cases are going to continue to decline in numbers while the other half feel a lot more cases will occur up until May 2010.

Experts may not have the answer to the nation’s chief flu question, they do agree that everyone who has not recieved a flu shot for the H1N1 virus should still do so. Vaccinations had be scarce in the beginning stages of the apparent epidemic and many medical clinics were only administering the vaccines to the most susceptible people, including children and the elderly. However, as time has passed, most clinics across the country report that vaccinations are no longer being limited.

In addition to the vaccinations, good personal hygiene is still essential in helping to prevent the spread of the swine flu. Consumers are urged to wash their hands regularly and avoid those who have the flu. During such a chaotic time of the year for many, lack of health concerns may trigger a resurgence so it is crucial people remember to take care of themselves and avoid spreading the flu to others. Carry hand santitizer with you when you go shopping at the malls for the holidays and remember to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis at the first signs of illness.

Swine Flu Down Alerts Still Up was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Even if you do not feel physically ill at any point, there are some things you should be paying attention to in order to keep your immediate living environment as healthy as possible.

Here are 5 things you can do now to make your home safer for you and your family:

Fix Unhealthy Air Quality

Bad air quality in the home is one of the leading environmental concerns in America. It is important during seasonable weather that you allow fresh air into your home by opening windows. During the cold months, an air purifier that utilizes a HEPA filter is also a good option to keep fresh air circulating in the home. The purifier will help to remove or at least reduce the amount of dust, danders, pollens, and other allergens that can be found in your home. It is also important to keep your furnace and air conditioning systems clean and have the filters replace regularly to keep the levels of allergens down and the systems running more efficiently.

Remove Toxic Cleaning Agents

While today’s cleaning products are touted to be the ultimate necessity for a clean home, the reality might be that the chemicals found in the cleaning products can be making you sick. Instead of stocking the cabinet with brand name cleaners, you can improve the quality of life at home as well as save money by using more environmentally friendly products, such as baking soda and vinegar to clean around the house. Natural cleaners are easy to make and work just as well, if not better, than store-bought, brand name cleaners.

Reduce Electromagnetic Radiation

Our homes have a lot of things that use electricity every day. The electrical currents that run through our homes create electromagnetic fields, which can disturb the signals that occur within our own bodies, including our brains. By removing the amounts of electromagnetic radiation, we may find more relaxation. We can reduce the amounts of electromagnetic radiation by unplugging appliances and other things not in use. Studies have shown that reduced amount of electromagnetic radiation in the areas where we sleep allows for a deeper, more refreshing sleep.

Replace Fabrics at Home

Speaking of sleep, did you know that just laying down in your bed or on the living room floor can expose you to unhealthy levels of chemicals? Our sheets, curtains, carpets, and upholstery can contain harmful chemicals that cause allergies and even more serious illnesses. In order to protect your health, you can replace your regular home fabrics with organic, chemical-free alternatives..

Filter Your Water

Most consumers concern themselves only with the quality of their drinking water and do not realize that the heavy metals and chlorine found in tap water can also affect your health when you take a bath or a shower. There are filters that can be installed in the home that will filter all of the water lines at the same time. The filter is a bit pricey but if you are already paying for bottled water, your will get your money back in no time at all. Besides the initial investment for the installation, you will also have to replace the filter cartridges in the filter system on a regular basis to maintain the quality of your water.

Is Your Home Making You Ill? 5 Areas to Check Out Now was created by and is property of American Consumer News.