Posts Tagged ‘Swine Flu Facts’

Author: Richard Stoyeck

Don’t kid yourself, if you have Swine Flu, you can have the best doctors in the world taking care of you, but the name of the game is Flu Prevention, and the question is how do you resist getting the Swine Flu or any other flu for that matter? You need to get the germ into your body in order to contract the Swine Flu, and that means it has to get into an opening.

Even if you get the germ on your skin, it doesn’t guarantee you will contract Swine Flu because it must enter via the mouth, nose, or eyes. Those are the pathways into the body. If you have or are having a surgical procedure done, such as a hospital patient, than the surgical site itself is also a pathway for germs to enter the body.

I am going to give you a few basic ideas about how to prevent the Swine Flu, and for that matter, colds and viruses in general.

- Wash those hands, and keep washing them. Every time, you shake hands with someone, you are shaking hands with everyone else they have shaken hands with, since they last washed their hands. If you do shake hands, then before you touch any other part of your body including your nose, mouth, and eyes, you must get those hands clean.

- A person who is infected can pass the germ to you a day before symptoms appear, and up to 7 days after symptoms appear. You get the virus by contact with such a person directly, or by contact with an object that they touched. It is debatable how long an object such as a doorknob can retain the live germ.

- Beware of door handles. About the most germ infested surface you can touch is a door handle or the faucets you turn the water on and off with, especially in bathrooms that others use. Once you touch either of these objects, it is as though you never washed your hands at all. Our suggestion is to use the same paper towel you dry your hands with as a barrier between your now germ free hand and the door knob or water faucet.

- At work, we keep bottles of Windex handy. Just spray the bathroom doors, and the faucets and the door handles to people’s offices and let the air dry them which only takes a minute or two. If you immediately dry the surface, you destroy most of the germ inhibiting barrier.

- Go to a major discounter like Wal-Mart and stock up on hand sanitizers. Easily carried 2 to 4 oz bottles that can fit in your pocket, are less than a $1 and give one to each member of the family. They are fabulous for cleaning hands, and the residue evaporates within seconds. Doctors use them all the time. It’s cheap insurance.

- If and when the Swine Flu hits your area, than order some masks that are N95 rated. They are recommended by the Center for Disease Control, and are very inexpensive. Go online and Google “Swine Flu Masks”, and check prices.

Follow these simple rules religiously, and we think the Swine Flu will be bypassing you and your house this season. Good luck.

About the Author:

Richard C. Stoyeck is recognized as a leading expert on hospital health care. He runs a Medical Research think tank at Rockefeller Capital Partners, LLC in Westport CT. For information about how to Survive Your Hospital Stay, or finding good doctors and surgeons, visit www.Hospital-Health-Care.net and get a free download on the “Coming Revolution in Heart Disease.”

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Swine Flu or Not – It’s really up to YOU!!!!

Author: Jay Bose

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

CDC has determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

Symptoms : The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How serious is swine flu infection?

Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Spread of swine flu can occur in two ways:

• Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.

• Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Medicines to treat swine flu?

CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu.

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

About the Author:

Ram Gunjal, Internet Marketer
Affiliate Programs : http://www.okus.in
Equestrian Equipment : http://www.equestrianequipments.com
Mission Valley Builders : http://missionvalleybuilders.com
Medical Careers : http://www.newmedicalcareers.us

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Symptoms Of Swine Flu In People

Author: Eric Kampel

Swine flu or swine influenza is a disease common in swine, with normal flu-like symptoms, but caused by any strain of the swine influenza virus (SIV – virus endemic in pigs). Though rare in humans, individuals with greater exposure to swine could contract swine influenza if the swine are carrying the particular rare strain of the SIV that is capable of affecting humans. Even then, it is a rare occurrence for the strain to be able to pass from human to human. This could occur if the SIV is able to mutate into a form that can be easily transmitted among humans.

The swine flu outbreak of 2009 is believed to be caused by such a mutated strain of the SIV. The current outbreak is called swine flu only because one of the surface proteins of the tested virus is similar to the one which infects pigs. It is still unknown if this is currently infecting pigs though it’s clearly spreading among people, leading the World Health Organization to raise the Phase 4 pandemic alert. This new strain responsible for the outbreak has been found to be a re-assortment of strains of the influenza A virus subtype H1N1. These strains are separately endemic in humans and in swine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) would help in treatment and prevention. Antiviral drugs, if started within two days of the manifestation of symptoms, succeed in reducing the severity of the symptoms, preventing further complications, and hastening cure. The most effective method of prevention is to wash hands frequently with soap or with a foam or alcohol-based gel hand wash that helps wipe away bacteria and viruses. Vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 strain outbreak are in the development stage and are expected to be ready by June 2009.

About the Author:

Reliable Paper offers an extensive line of disinfectants, spray and wipes that will help alleviate the spread of swine flu!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – What is Swine Flu?

Author: Eric Kampel

Swine influenza – Swine influenza or swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by the type A H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV). Humans in close proximity to swine could contract swine influenza if the swine are carrying the rare strain of the SIV that is capable of affecting humans.

Symptoms – Swine flu symptoms in humans are generally similar to regular flu (influenza) symptoms and include muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, lack of appetite, fever, chills, and general weakness and discomfort. Other reported symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Transmission – Swine flu spreads from pigs to humans when humans are close to infected pigs. People working in barns or visiting livestock exhibits housing infected pigs are likely to get affected. Transmission from humans to humans can occur when the infected individual coughs or sneezes when others are close by. Putting one’s hands to the nose or mouth after touching anything with the flu viruses on it could also spread the infection. Consuming well-cooked pork and pork products won’t cause infection as cooking to an internal temperature of 160°F kills bacteria and viruses, including the swine flu virus.

Treatment and medication – While swine flu can generally be cured by the four antiviral drugs approved for curing flu in the US, amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir and zanamivir, the recent 2009 swine flu outbreak viruses have been found to be resistant to the first two drugs. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are now recommended for treatment and prevention of swine influenza.

Prevention – Swine flu can be prevented by taking certain precautionary measures, such as washing hands frequently with soap or an alcohol-based hand wash. Staying away from infected individuals is important as their coughing or sneezing could spread the infection. If instances of infection are reported in your locality, stay indoors as far as possible. Swine flue vaccine could be out by June 2009.

About the Author:

Reliable Paper offers an extensive line of disinfectants, spray and wipes that will help alleviate the spread of swine flu!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Swine Flu Facts