Swine flu has become a household name recently and is more familiar than any cine actor or actress. But the difference is, it is known and spoken with fear and anxiety. Swine flu is scientifically called the H1N1 virus. It is an imported virus and differs from the seasonal influenza in many ways- the most obvious being; there is not yet a medicine for curing swine flu, at least in the medicinal records. Swine flu spreads from one person to another in the same way a seasonal flu spreads. The symptoms are also more or less similar to the former, such as coughing and sneezing. But swine flu is different, in the sense, it may get infected when people happen to come into contact with something that has virus on it and then, touch their nose or mouth. Swine flu can be identified when some one suffers from fever, cough, sore throat, body ache, chills, fatigue and headache. Occasionally, in some people, diarrhea and nausea may occur. In worse situations, heart and lung diseases may also show up. But, as in every other thing, there are some preventive measures for safeguarding against swine flu. When a person infected with swine flu coughs or sneezes, he or she must necessarily cover the nose and mouth with a tissue and dispose the tissue, immediately. It is very important to wash the hands with soap and water or better still, with alcohol based hand cleaners, after cough or sneeze. It is better to avoid touching the eyes or nose or mouth, lest the germs spread. To diagnose swine flu infection, respiratory specimen has to be sent to the lab within four to five days of getting infected. Children may usually shed virus for ten days or longer. Studies reveal that swine flu shows its symptoms and develops the illness even after a week. Therefore, it is advisable to monitor a person who is suspected of infected with swine flu virus. The best thing to do is to consult a doctor immediately and stay away from work or school. Such persons should also have some social responsibility, of not generously donating the virus to others and avoiding going out. Recent news states that there have been quite a significant number of people who have fully recovered from swine flu by strictly following the instructions given by doctors along with antiviral medications. Author: Chandra Sowrirajan, Chennai … [Read more...]
How to safeguard from Swine Flu?
Smart Planning: You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic. To plan for a pandemic: 1. Store a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters. 2. Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home. 3. Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins. 4. Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home. 5. Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response. 6. Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic. To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection: 1. Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior. 2. Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior. 3. Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick. Swine Flu Prevention Products: N95 Rated Particulate Mask: N95 Particulate Respirators (Masks) uphold a filtration level and fluid resistance universally recognized in the prevention of the inhalation of airborne microorganisms. This medical grade respirator is intended for filtering out viral pathogens and effectively protecting the respiratory system (nose and mouth) in a pandemic flu environment. Price: $2.25 ea or 5 for $10.00 EUPATORIUM PARF 30 is homeopathic medicine for swine flu. Take 1 or 2 drops three times in a day with drinking water Author: Pravin Patel … [Read more...]
Swine Flu: When to Use Mask/ Respirator
A Swine flu pandemic is an outbreak caused by a new flu virus that spreads around the world. The virus will spread easily from person to person, mostly through coughing and sneezing. Because the virus is new to people, everyone will be at risk of getting it. During a flu pandemic, you can use simple actions to help protect yourself and others from becoming sick with the flu. No single action protects completely. If used together, the steps below can help reduce the chances of becoming infected. • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available. • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your arm when you cough and sneeze. • Stay away from other people if you are ill. • Avoid crowded places and large gatherings as much as possible. There may be times during a pandemic when you must be in a crowded setting or in close contact (within 6 feet) with people who might be ill. During such times, the use of a facemask or a respirator might help prevent the spread of pandemic flu. Wearing a Facemask or a Respirator? Very little is known about the benefits of wearing facemasks and respirators to help control the spread of pandemic flu. In the absence of clear science, the steps below offer a "best estimate" to help guide decisions. They will be revised as new information becomes available. Consider wearing a facemask if • You are sick with the flu and think you might have close contact with other people. • You live with someone who has the flu (you therefore might be in the early stages of infection) and need to be in a crowded place. Limit the amount of time you spend in these crowded places and wear a facemask while you are there. • You are well and do not expect to be in close contact with a sick person but need to be in a crowded place. Limit the amount of time you spend in these crowded places and wear a facemask while you are there. Consider wearing a respirator if • You are well and you expect to be in close contact with people who are known or thought to be sick with pandemic flu. Limit the amount of time you are in close contact with these people and wear a respirator during this time. These recommendations apply if you must take care of a sick person at home. What is a facemask? Facemask is loose-fitting, disposable masks that cover the nose and mouth. These include products labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, and laser masks. Facemasks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them. They also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the facemask. They are not designed to protect you against breathing in very small particles. Facemasks should be used once and then thrown away in the trash. What is respirator? A respirator (for example, an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator) is designed to protect you from breathing in very small particles, which might contain viruses. These types of respirators fit tightly to the face so that most air is inhaled through the filter material. To work the best way, N95 respirators must be specially fitted for each person who wears one (this is called "fit-testing" and is usually done in a workplace where respirators are used). Most of the times, N95 respirators are used in construction and other jobs that involve dust and small particles. Some healthcare workers, such as nurses and doctors, use these types of respirators when taking care of patients with diseases that can be spread through the air. If you have a heart or lung disease or other health condition, you may have trouble breathing through respirators and you should talk with your doctor before using a respirator. Like surgical masks, N95 respirators should be worn only once and then thrown away in the trash. Note: Neither a facemask nor a respirator will give complete protection from the flu. That is why it is important to wash your hands often, cover your coughs and sneezes with a handkerchief or your arm, and avoid crowds and gatherings during a pandemic. Author: Mona Gupta … [Read more...]
Swine Flu – Ignorance or Negligence!!
The swine flu death toll touched 118 today with three more persons succumbing to the disease. The two new cases were from Uttarakhand and Gujarat and deaths are coming from states like Andhra Pradesh. Till date, samples from 22,847 people have been tested for influenza A (H1N1) in various government laboratories across the country and 4,198 of them have been found positive, the health ministry said in a statement. Above statistics is enough to confirm that Swine Flu has reached India’s shore – what’s really sad to note is that Indian govt’s lack of initiative towards educating citizens on Swine flu symptoms/precautions etc. Let me start off with a small observation about Swine Flu – and how it is being tackled by the ever “respectable” authorities inside the country. Here are some facts: 1. Search for “Swine Flu Govt of USA” on google search – the first result points to http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ 2. Search for “Health Ministry Ireland Swine Flu” on google search – the first result points to http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/ 3. Search for “Swine Flu Govt of India” – the first page fails to point to any page hosted by the Government of India (rather it takes you to all the news sites). The information presented so far might make the readers believe that there is no such initiative being taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). Well, that’s not the case. You can find the specific page here – http://www.mohfw.nic.in/SWINEFLU.htm Who’s Responsible? I will stop short of dissecting this page or even comparing it against the 2 other links provided above. The amount of crisp and forthcoming information being provided by the first 2 pages is what I am looking for. Coming back to the context – is there a serious lack of resources available to the Government of India (to provide information about the disease)? Are there not enough people who will create a perfect e-home for the Swine Flu pandemic in our country? Or do we simply don’t care? To come out with a very honest opinion – the government’s single point contact – National Informatics Center – for all such requirements isn’t simply geared up to be the “best”. If you look at the best hospitals in Delhi (i.e. AIIMS, Apollo, Escorts / Fortis, Safdarjung), except for AIIMS, none of the websites has a mention of Swine Flu on the homepages of these institutions. And AIIMS has done the easiest thing that was there to do – link those words to the Swine Flu page at MoHFW. At the cost of sounding the utmost critic of civic agencies, I will have to make a claim. At a time when the H1N1/Swine Flu virus is getting utmost attention all across the world – can we afford to lack behind even at the “Information Propagation” stage. Is it really too much to ask – that I want to read all about Swine Flu / H1N1 sitting in the comfort of my home? I can already hear the standard argument that would be posted as a response to this “want”. The internet penetration in India is minuscule and the government has taken appropriate steps through other information mediums. Being from Delhi, I can only provide facts about Delhi. However, there is little chance that those facts cannot be extrapolated to be found true all across the country. Tune into any of the radio stations like 91.1, 92.7, 93.5 or 98.3 FM – and keep yourself tuned for the next 24 hours. Tell me the number of times you hear a government solicited campaign trying to tell you about Swine Flu. If these radio stations can provide some recording of dates like 1st and 2nd May 2009 – listen to them again for 24 hours. And count the number of times you hear a Congress or BJP poll campaign. Well, it is no surprise what number would win this game. It’s high time that our civic agencies, the concerned ministries went overboard onto the information bandwagon. There is no single information medium that could possibly be overlooked in today’s times. And if the private players in the Health Care sector are not going to participate in such ventures, there is only a particular section of the “aam-junta” that’s going to feel “informed”. Isn’t it morally binding upon the Apollo’s and Fortis to be forthcoming on what the H1N1 virus is all about? What are the symptoms? What are the precautions? How does the virus spread? Ignorance by Government: Recently, the first batches of swine flu vaccine rolled out from Baxter Inc labs but there’s little to cheer for India. While the first supplies from Baxter went to the British … [Read more...]
FAQ: Swine Flu and You
In India, Swine Flu is spreading like wild fire. So, it is high time for you to take some precautionary measures and learn the DO’s and DONT’s. This article tries to enlighten you on some facts about swine influenza A (H1N1) virus. What is new influenza A (H1N1)? Swine flu (also referred to as novel H1N1 virus) is a new virus that hasn't spread before among humans. The virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. Why is 2009 H1N1 virus called “swine flu”? This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus. Why is this strain of flu causing so much concern? It's a brand new mutation that's never been seen before. That's why it's not just hitting people in the highest risk groups — those over 65 and younger than two. How does swine flu spread? Human infection with swine flu viruses are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the flu virus. How long can an infected person spread this virus to others? People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus. What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans? The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. How does swine flu kill? Swine flu — just like any other flu — is a respiratory infection. It exploits a weakened immune system to attack major organs — especially your lungs. When it gets into your lungs, it can lead to pneumonia, which can kill you. The flu can also cause secondary infections in your body — any of which can lead to failure of vital organs and death. What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu? Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands - with soap and warm water - that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. Should I wear a face mask or respirator? There's a difference between a face mask and a respirator. A face mask does not seal tightly to the face. Face masks include masks labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, or laser masks. Respirators are N95 or higher filtering face pieces that fit snugly on the face. Respirators, when correctly adjusted, filter out virus particles - but it's hard to breathe through them for extended periods. People who have flu-like symptoms should carry disposable tissues to cover their coughs and sneezes. When going out in public, or when sharing common spaces around the home with family members, they should put on a face mask - if one is available and tolerable. People not at risk of severe flu illness can best protect themselves from swine flu with frequent handwashing and by staying at least six feet away from people with flu symptoms. But if swine flu is circulating in the community, a face mask or respirator may be protective in crowded public places. Can people catch swine flu from eating pork? No. Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products. You won't get swine flu from handling uncooked pork either. You can get sick from putting uncooked or undercooked pork in your mouth, but you won't get swine flu. Can I catch swine flu by eating imported fruits? It's also … [Read more...]
Swine Flu pandemic information
Swine Flu: It is a type of viral influenza disease and generally affects pigs. But when humans are affected, it spreads from person to person in a contagious manner. Diagnosis: It is very difficult to diagnose because many flu diseases have similar symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat and body pains etc. Frankly, even experienced doctors find it difficult to diagnose Swine Flu. In these times, many doctors tend to treat every respiratory infection as Swine Flu as a precautionary measure. Many countries do not even have labs to diagnose this disease. Current alert level is 6 (maximum). Swine Flu Pandemic: What is pandemic? We call an infectious disease as “Pandemic” when it affects more countries/continents. In extreme cases, whole world will be affected. Epidemics generally confine to one country or continent. In these times, pandemics are causing more financial loss than human deaths. That is bad news for economy especially in the context of current slowdown. According to experts, strain might have moved into humans from pigs in Mexico 1 year back before breaking out recently. According to them, “it is too late to control from spreading”. World Health Organization officially declared "Swine Flu" as pandemic on June 11, 2009 but it has been showing its real impact from July last week onwards. This is the first global Pandemic after 41 years and we don't know how it behave in this "second wave". First wave (April-May) was less severe than WHO estimated. Last global pandemic: Hong Kong flu of 1968. Precaution: Wear N95 mask and protect from Swine Flu. Hope: Swine Flu vaccine may be available by late October in India. Swine flue cases estimates in India: 1. By November 15: 1,50,000 Indians will become Swine Flu victims. 2. By December 31, 2009: 1 crore Indians will be affected by Swine Flu. 3. By August 31, 2010: 30 crore Indians will be affected by Swine Flu. Japan is expecting 7 lakh cases per day in winter. According to estimates, 50% of Americans will suffer from mild to severe Swine Flu in winter. Important note: Death rate is generally 1-3 per 1,000 but it will be 5-6 in countries like India due to poor health standards. People suffering from Diabetes, BP and Asthma are at more risk along with pregnant women. In Bangalore, most of the Swine Flu deaths are in the age group of 25-30. Bangalore is the second most affected city after Pune. … [Read more...]
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