Do you have to be dirty to get Swine Flu?

Answer 1

Well, yes and no. The reason washing hands often is recommended to avoid getting the Swine Flu is that the virus is easily picked up on your hands from surfaces and things other people who have the flu have touched. They can leave behind particles of the virus that causes swine flu that you can get on your hands (but you won't be able to see them). If you wash your hands after touching things and surfaces in public places, before you forget and touch your own face, mouth, nose, or eyes, you can wash off the virus particles and then not get sick. But dirt, like soil and mud is not what they are talking about.

You can also get swine flu just by hugging, kissing, touching, or shaking or holding hands with another person with the flu. Or you can get it if you happen to be very close to them (within about three feet) when they cough or sneeze and they spray respiratory droplets with virus in them onto you or in the air that you breathe in.