Swine flu first appeared in March 2009 in Mexico. In the weeks that followed, it became the first World Health Organization-declared pandemic in four decades.

Since then, we've been inundated with information on the virus — and worries about the extent of the threat this strain of flu poses for us.

The series of videos below features Dr. Michael Churchill-Smith, general internist and senior physician at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and Dr. Michael Libman, director infectious diseases at the MUHC, talking about swine flu and how you can minimize your risks. They were produced by Blue Rush Media.

Signs and symptoms (Watch: 2:34)

Got a fever and cough — or maybe you're sneezing like it's allergy season? Is that run-down feeling from a lack of sleep, or is it a sign of something that's going to keep you out of commission for a week or more?

In this video, Churchill-Smith and Libman go through the symptoms of H1N1 flu.

They also provide some pointers on how to tell whether what's ailing you is the flu or a cold.

How the virus spreads (Watch: 0:53)

H1N1 is the predominate flu strain this year. It has spread around the world and is well-entrenched in most countries.

It is contagious — you catch it by coming in contact with someone who has it, or by touching something where the virus is living.

It's estimated that the virus can live on a surface for two to eight hours. Some bacteria, like C. difficile, can live on surfaces for weeks or months.

In this video, Libman describes the ways in which swine flu virus spreads.

When to see a doctor (Watch: 2:03)

For most people, a bout with the flu means a few days on the couch or lying in bed, too weak or tired to do much of anything. Even reading can be a chore.

But should you go to the doctor?

It depends. Most of us will get better by keeping hydrated, resting and maybe taking some over-the-counter medications. As Churchill-Smith and Libman explain in this video, however, there are times when some people will need to seek medical attention.

Minimizing your risk: at home (Watch: 3:43)

While it's impossible to keep your home free of germs and viruses, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk of coming down with the flu — or having it spread beyond your family.

While handwashing may be the first line of defence in your personal fight against illness, it may not be the most effective, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

In this video, Churchill-Smith and Libman describe ways you can reduce the risk at home.

Minimizing your risk: at work (Watch 3:10)

Starting to feel those flu-like symptoms? But you're under the gun at work and will be letting your colleagues down if you stay home? On the other hand, if you really are getting sick, you could be putting your co-workers at risk.

When do you call in sick?

Some companies have told their employees to stay home for a week if they think they might have the flu.

In this video, Churchill-Smith and Libman talk about some of the steps you can take to protect yourself — and your co-workers.

Minimizing your risk: at school (Watch 3:41)

Put 30 kids in a classroom, add one runny nose, a sniffle or two, and before you know it, you'll have several children not feeling well. And that's during normal times. Add a pandemic to the mix, and you could be faced with several sick children, teachers and parents.

Closing down schools and daycares has a place in Canada's pandemic preparedness plan — but only if the pandemic was sweeping through school-age or pre-school age populations. That hasn't happened yet.

In this video, Churchill-Smith and Libman talk about some of the measures that can be put in place in schools to help reduce the risk of transmission.