If your kids are like mine they get sick–a lot. I’m convinced my toddler’s preschool is a petri dish for all things contagious. So when the European Union health commissioner advised Europeans against traveling to U.S. or Mexico due to the recent Swine Flu outbreak it made me a little nervous (I’m sure Canada will be next on the EU Health Hit list. After all we have 6 confirmed cases).

Knowledge is the past way to fight off unwarranted fear so here are the facts for parents:

What is the swine flu?

A highly contagious acute respiratory disease normally found in pigs. Swine flu is usually spread through contact with pigs, but some limited cases of human-to-human contact have been reported.

Could there be a pandemic?

Experts say there is cause for concern but not alarm. (Even though the death toll in Mexico has reached 152 and officials have shut every school in the country.) Health officials worry the swine flu virus will combine with a human flu virus or mutate on its own to become easily transmissible. As the virus circulates, it becomes more likely a pandemic strain will emerge, but there is no way to predict when, and if, this will happen.

What can parents do?

Listen to regular updates and practice good hygiene. Wash your hands, and your child’s hands, frequently and stay at home if you feel ill. As for diet, it’s safe to eat pork. The swine flu virus dies when cooked to temperatures of 158 F (70C) or higher.

In case you didn’t get everything you (or your baby) wanted for Christmas, check out glimpse. The Canadian blog was started in October 2008 by two moms with a desire to promote all things Canadian. Check out the site for little unknown treats, most of them made by moms (for moms). A few of Andrea’s (co-founder) favorites include: Eco-friendly Phat Baby Wraps, Babes in Black maternity and baby clothes, and Fenigo – a Canadian eco-friendly website.