Swine Flu is now spreading rapidly across the country but WHO officially declared that Swine Flu pandemic is over. Swine Flu claimed 1850 lives in India in the last 15 months. Death rate is high in Orissa and Gujarat. It reached 30% in Orissa and 20% in Gujarat which is very high. Swine Flu Deathrate is less than 5% in many developed countries due to increase in awareness and better healthcare facilities. In India, Swine Flu death is around 10% in most sates. Common Swine Flu symptoms: Fever, Cold (running nose), Cough and pain. Most common cause of death: Delay in taking proper treatment. 10% Swine Flu deaths occurred in India. 20% of Swine Flu deaths in India were reported from Pune. Vaccination: Swine Flu vaccine does not cause Swine Flu. Common side effects are slight fever; cold and cough which are commonly seen side-effects from any vaccine. They should subside within 2-3 days of vaccination. If not, consult physician. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah tested negative for Swine Flu. 25 new Swine Flu cases were reported in the state in the last 3 days. 340 people tested positive for Swine Flu in the state while 28 people died. Orissa: 7 people died from Swine Flu in the state in the last 10 days but 3 people died in the last 1 day which created panic in the backward state. Bhubaneswar is in panic as four people tested positive out of 10 tested. Among the victims are Assistant commercial tax commissioner and the wife of Bargarh BJP president. Pune: 335 people died in the last 14 months. City reported 5 Swine Fu deaths in the last 3 days. Delhi: 260 Swine Flu cases were detected in the city this season. Lucknow is reporting new cases. Punjab reported first Swine Flu death from Amritsar. Gujarat: 85 Swine Flu cases were reported in this season. Surat city reported 5 deaths so far while State reported 18 deaths. … [Read more...]
Swine Flu update: August 7
Swine Flu is gradually spreading across India due to favourite temperatures and lack of awareness among people. 60 people died and 650 persons tested positive in the last 7 days. More deaths were reported from Pune, Aurangabad, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Gujarat, West Bengal, Orissa, Dehi and UP are also reporting new cases and deaths. First Swine Flu case was detected in the world in April, 2009 while India reproted first Swine Flu case in May, 2009 from Hyderabad. It claimed 1750 lives in 2009 and 260 lives this season. Swine Flu cases and deaths: 1. Andhra Pradesh: In 2009, 50 patients died out of 750 positive Swine Flu cases. But, in the last 2 months, 22 people died out of 250 positive cases. Most of the deaths are reported from Hyderabad, Chittoor and North Andhra districts. 7 nursing students are tested positive for Swine Flu. 2. Pune: 100 people died in the last 3 months in this city. 200 people died in 2009. 1000 people tested positive for Swine Flu in the last 3 months. 1700 tested positive in 2009. 3. West Bengal: 4 people died in the last 2 months. No deaths were reproted in 2009. 120 people were tested positive in the last 2 months while 135 tested positive in 2009. 4. Orissa: 4 people died in the last 7 days. 5. Uttar Pradesh: 5 persons died in the last 30 days. 6. Delhi: 7 swine flu deaths and 125 positive cases have been reported in this season. 7. Bangalore: Swine Flu is not as severe as it was in 2009 due to increased awareness among people. Important Precaution: Injectable vaccine should be taken by people above 18 years of age only under doctor guidance while Nasal vaccine should be take by children above 3 years under paediatrician's advice. Likely victims: Children, pregment women and people who are already suffering from heart diseases, diabetes and kidney diseases. Take basic precautions: Washing hands, consulting doctor if you have cough for more than 2 days and using maks in crowded places etc. Swine Flu is a curable disease if you consult doctor in the early stage. … [Read more...]
July 25: Swine Flu cases update
News of new Swine Flu cases and deaths are coming from all over India. Maharashtra is reporting more deaths while Kerala is reporting more cases. 1. Kerala: 15 new swine flu cases and one death was reported in the last 24 hours. 2. West Bengal: 42 swine flu cases and one death was reported from West Bengal in the last 1 month. 3. Maharashtra: Pune: 4 Swine Flu deaths were reported from the city in the last 5 days. 500 new Swine Flu cases and 57 deaths were reported from Pune in the last 3 months. Swine Flu claimed 270 people in the last 12 months in the city. City is reporting rapid increase in Swine Flu cases. Death rate (10%) from Swine Flu is very high in this city. Reason is not known. Mumbai: 18 swine flu deaths are reported from Mumbai this season. Aurangabad: One death was reported in the last 2 days. This is the first Swine Flu death in the region the last 5 months. 4. New Delhi: 38 Swine Flu cases are reported in the last 3 months and 5 people died from this viral disease. 5. Andhra Pradesh: Hyderabad: 10 Swine Flu deaths in the last 30 days. Warangal: First Swine Flu case was reported in the district. 6. Orissa: Two Swine Flu cases are reported in the last 48 hours. Death rate will be very low if people consult doctor when they have suspicious symptoms. … [Read more...]
Swine Flu news updates
Reports of new Swine Flu cases and deaths are coming from all over India. West Bengal reported first death in the state while Andhra Pradesh reported three deaths in Hyderabad. 60 people died due to Swine Flu while 330 confirmed Swine Flu cases are reported in the last 3-4 months. West Bengal minister and AIIMS doctor are also in the new cases list. New cases are reported from Vadodara, Surat, Srinagar and Pune in the last 3 days. Swine Flu in this season: West Bengal: 31 cases and 1 death Andhra Pradesh: 98 cases and 10 deaths New Vaccine from Serum Institute: Pune based Serum Institute released new vaccine for Swine Flu - Nasovac. It is an intranasal vaccine (administered through nose) and cost is just 160 rupees. It should be administered only on doctor's advice. … [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 resurgence
A fresh wave of swine flu was reported across the country with one person from Maharashtra succumbing to swine flu, today. With this death, the total number of people who have lost their lives due to this disease has risen to 444 with Karnataka as the most affected, recording 15 cases, Delhi 13 cases, Maharashtra ten and Kerala five. The total number of people affected by swine flu has reached more than 13, 000 and 49 cases reported during today alone. As of now, more than 70 thousand people have been tested for swine flu of which an alarming 18 percent have been found to be positive. This has been the report even as a none month old baby and a eighty year old woman admitted with swine flu died on Saturday in Maval taluka. 49 fresh cases of swine flu have been reported from across the country, according to official sources. Due to the sudden spurt of fresh swine flu epidemic in the city, the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival scheduled to be held in the city in December has been postponed. Significantly, this is the first time, in the history of the festival that it has been postponed. Although the festival will be held in the first week of December, the preparation for it starts almost six months earlier. This festival will be the place where about 35 artists from all over India will perform their best. Since it is the congregation of a large number of people, in the wake of the revival of swine flu, the organizers, after discussion with the District magistrate and Commissioner of the city, decided not to take any risk and hence announced the postponement of the festival. Swine flu has taken its deadly toll even in U.S. as the White House declared swine flu as a national emergency following the death of over a thousand people due to the deadly H1N1 virus. … [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...]
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