2 companies already got permissionfrom Drug Controller of India to launch Swine Flu vaccines. Cadila healthcare already launched while Serum Institute will launch in 7-10 days. Panacea Biotech may also launch vaccine in 1-2 months. All the vaccines are indigeniously manufactured. Swine Flu vaccines in India: 1. Vaxiflu-S: This vaccine launced by Cadila Healthcare is already available in the market. It is an intamuscularly injectable vaccine. Cost: 350. Age limit: Above 18 years only. 2. Nasovac: Serum institute will launch this vaccine in 7-10 days. It is administered through nose by using a special device. Cost: 150. Age limit: Above 3 years only. Please take vaccine under the supervision of Doctor only. It should be sold under doctor prescription only. Side effects of Swine Flu vaccine: Minor: Faver, soreness and bodyaches Major (very rare): Guillain Barre Syndrome Kerala and Maharashtra are reporting maximum number of cases in this season. 18 deaths are reported from Kerala, 4 from Mumbai and 2 from Andhra Pradesh. Monsoon atmosphere and crowded places are suitable for quick spread of Swine Flu virus. … [Read more...]
Swine flu: truth behind a terror
Swine flu: truth behind a terror: Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus (subtype H1N1) that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Influenza viruses are small RNA viruses that infect many mammals, including humans, birds, and swine. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930. The virus was a novel strain of influenza which contained genes from five different flu viruses. Before 2009, swine influenza predominately affected swine and was not transmitted often or easily to people. Even in the isolated instances in which swine influenza infected people, it had very limited ability to spread from person to person. Most cases were directly linked to contact with swine through farming or at fairs. But the current "swine flu" outbreak is different. It's caused by a new swine flu virus that has changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person and it's happening among people who haven't had any contact with pigs. How does swine flu spread? Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs 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. Swine influenza (novel H1N1) spreads from person to person, either by inhaling the virus or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, then touching the mouth or nose. Infected droplets are expelled into the air through coughing or sneezing. Early information suggests that swine influenza is about as contagious as the usual human influenza. If one person in a household gets swine flu, from 8%-19% of household contacts will get infected. Reports suggest that swine influenza is causing slightly more infections than would be normal for an influenza season. Based on its wide spread, the World Health Organization has declared the 2009 outbreak of the new H1N1 flu a global pandemic. People at higher risk: People at higher risk of serious complications include: • Young children, especially those under 12 months of age • Elderly people are at high risk of severe flu disease. But relatively few swine flu cases have been seen in people over age 65. • Pregnant women. • People with cardiovascular conditions (except high blood pressure) • People with liver problems • People with kidney problems • People with blood disorders, including sickle cell disease • People with neurologic disorders • People with neuromuscular disorders • People with metabolic disorders, including diabetes • People with immune suppression, including HIV infection and medications that suppress the immune system, such as cancer chemotherapy or anti-rejection drugs for transplants • Residents of a nursing home or other chronic-care facility People in these groups should seek medical care as soon as they get flu symptoms. Symptoms and signs of swine flu: Symptoms of swine flu are like regular flu symptoms and includes- - Fever - Cough - Sore throat - Runny nose - Body aches, fatigue - Pain in the muscles or joints - Headache - Chills - Many people with swine flu have had diarrhea and vomiting. - Swine flu can cause neurologic symptoms in children. These events are rare, but, as cases associated with seasonal flu have shown, they can be very severe and often fatal. Symptoms include seizures or changes in mental status (confusion or sudden cognitive or behavioral changes). Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms. But these symptoms can also be caused by many other conditions. So it can’t be diagnosed only on the basis of symptoms. Only lab tests can definitively show whether you've got swine flu, although a negative result doesn't necessarily mean you don't have the flu. Emergency warning signs - As with the seasonal flu, certain symptoms may have required emergency medical attention. Children should be given urgent medical attention if they: • Have fast breathing or trouble … [Read more...]
Swine flu: Symptoms and Facts
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 treatment: Alternative remedies
The outbreak of a new form of swine flu has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency. The public health officials are scrambling to determine the extent of the outbreak. The number of cases of swine flu will continue to grow as more people even with the mildest of flu symptoms have their respiratory secretions tested. Identification is a critical step in microbe hunting, as is exposing the silent trek that influenza takes as it moves in waves from city to city, country to country, and continent to continent. We need to know more about the distinctive behavior of this particular virus, and its treatment which seems to have newly emerged in human from its animal reservoir. According to experts wearing masks is a good public health measure if people find them socially acceptable. Isolating sick individuals also helps prevent the spread, but our workaholic culture seems to encourage us to drag ourselves into the office even when we're sick. If you get sick, lie down and act sick Other alternative remedies… Besides Tamiflu, these alternative remedies to prevent and treat the H1N1 influenza may be a good option for patients. Homeopathy: Homeopathic medicines were successful in treating the flu pandemic in 1918. Homeopathy maybe a better option also because it has hardly any side-effects, say experts. Gelsemium and Bryonia: Effective during 1918's outbreak. Homeopaths feel these could be useful in the current epidemic too. Influenzinum: In a survey conducted by the French Society of Homeopathy in 1998, in 90 per cent of the 317 influenza patients surveyed, no instances of the flu occurred when influenzinum was used preventively. Oscillococcinum: A homeopathic preparation of the liver and heart of a Barbary duck. In 1990, German experts found flu patients showed a noticeable improvement after about 48 hours of treatment with Oscillococcinum. Ayurveda: Like homeopathy, ayurvedic medicines too show promise in treating swine flu without causing any side-effect. Guduchi: Also known as Tinospora Cordifolia, this is a known flu preventive. It is an anti-viral which kills the H1N1 virus. Guduchi is commonly available and contains a substance called Giloine which is effective for strengthening the respiratory system. Vasa: Also known as Adhatoda vasica, this medicine is also effective. It reduces obstruction or inflammation in airways and increases lung capacity. Besides, basil, turmeric and amla are extensively used to build immunity and are recommended along with the medication. It is also worthwhile to do the following Ayurvedic practices • Eat nourishing, warm foods with "immune-enhancing" spices like turmeric. • Eat only organic foods because impurities in nonorganic foods impair my immune function. • Avoid eating or drinking anything cold during meals in order to improve my digestion, which protects immune strength. • Do daily warm sesame-oil massage because sesame oil has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Besides medicines, yoga may also prove to be a good option if one is trying to counter the H1N1 influenza. As according to various physicians and associate professors, "There are some herbs that stimulate the immune system, but that's not a good idea on a chronic or preventive basis." Over stimulating the immune system can cause problems like inflammation and arthritis. Yoga: Bhastrika Pranayam: Sit with legs stretched out, back straight. Bend one leg, place ankle on opposite thigh close to groin. Do the same to the other leg. Place your hands on knees. Take a deep breath, hold it and exhale. Repeat this 5-10 times till your breathing becomes even. Kapal Bhati Pranayam: It's similar to the Bhastrika Pranayam, except the way you breathe. Exhale by pushing the stomach inside. Inhale with minimal effort. Repeat the process for about 15 minutes. Note: Before taking any medicine or performing yoga as mentioned above, one should consult his/her personal physician as these medicine/yaga may not be suitable for certain person or in certain situation like pregnant ladies. Author: Mona Gupta, New Delhi … [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...]
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...]
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