Blue lady blog » Swine flu

Protect yourself from Swine Flu (healthAndsurvival.com)

Kounila Keo — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:47:00 +0000

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source:http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html -Antibiotics do not help this infection since it is not from a bacteria. The only medicines which help are antivirals- -The flu usually strikes during the Winter months and early spring. An epidemic this late is unusual. However, there have been reports of swine flu occurring during summer camps during the summer of 2009.

Swine Flu Deaths

By May 2nd, 2009m the WHO stated there was another 159 probable swine flu deaths, and 1,300 people were hospitalized. The earliest case of swine flu was traced to patient zero- a 5 year old boy in La Gloria, Mexico. The US Company, Smithfield Farms, owns pig farm in town, but none of the pigs have tested positive. Smithfield Farms denied that any of their pigs were infected in a WSJ article in May. Swine Flu Symptoms The swine flu symptoms reported when infected with the swine flu are similar to the symptoms of the influenza virus most are familiar with. The good news is that most people who become infected will do fine and will not have any long term complications. Those who are immune compromised, older or pregnant may be at higher risk of complications or serious respiratory illness. The most common swine flu symptoms include:

Cough

Congestion
Nasal Congestion
Nausea/Vomiting
Diarrhea
Body aches
Joint Pains
Fevers
Sore throat
Headaches
Fatigue
Decreased energy

Rarely death in more severe cases, especially from pneumonia.

Transmission

The viral infection is transmitted to humans who are in contact with swine, although there are several cases of swine flu in people who had no known exposure to either infected people or pigs. Once the species barrier is crossed, human to human transmission can occur with casual contact or airborne transmission, like when one sneezes or coughs. Eating pork products will not cause one to develop the swine flu. Basically, this flu is passed from one person to another like any cold of flu infection.

Prevention of Swine Flu

Washing hands routinely with soap and warm water, and wearing a N99 mask/respirator, such as the Wein ViraMask may also be helpful if you must be in public places. The Wein mask/respirator is strapless and adheres tightly to all faces. When used appropriately, it does not leak. N99 masks provide 100 x more protection than a N95 mask, which are sill a decent option. 3M is also a manufacturer of such masks. If you are planning on traveling by air or train, having a mask available would be a good idea in case it is needed. Also, avoid contact with sick people whenever possible. If you are sick, stay home.

Use alcohol based hand sanitizers to minimize infection risk. Some also use the Wein Air Supply Personal Air Purifier to help reduce exposure to airborne germs. Further, we know that eating healthy food, getting plenty of sleep and keeping your immune system strong can help prevent infections. Vitamin D supplementation may also be of benefit when taken in adequate doses.

Diagnosis of Swine Flu

Remember- most with flu symptoms simply have a viral infection and NOT the swine flu. Maintaining adequate hydration is very important if you contract any viral illness. The swine flu is diagnosed when a physician suspects infection, and sends a nasopharyngeal swab ( a Q-tip of shorts placed about 2 inches in your nose towards your throat) in a special viral collection container to a special lab to be tested.

Treatment of Swine Flu

If you contract the swine flu, there are 2 flu medications which can be helpful. The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. These medications can also be used for the usual avian influenza. Symptomatic care is most important. Antibiotics will not help. Ask your doctor about your options. Those at high risk should strongly be considered for treatment with medications. High risk patients include those with diabetes, heart disease, immune compromised, seniors over age 65.

Swine Flu Vaccine

On June 12, a new vaccine was apparently produced by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. If you did receive a flu vaccine this year, it will not offer you protection against the swine flu. Baxter Pharmaceuticals however issued a press release saying they are working on a vaccine also. Whether these will prove to be effective is unknown. In 1976, the swine flu vaccine actually killed more people that it helped (learn more). Other A study by Dr. Cannell from California also showed that vitamin D can help prevent traditional influenza infections by strengthening the immune system. A daily intake of 2,000 IU daily should be taken at minimum, by most. A dose of up to 10,000 IU of vitamin D daily for a few days may also be helpful. Talk to your doctor about this. However, there are no studies specifically which show swine flu is prevented by vitamin D. Read more about vitamin D’s potential and the swine flu. or visit the vitaminDcouncil.org Talk to your physician if you have concerns or other questions regarding swine flu.

Swine flu has hit Cambodia

Kounila Keo — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:34:00 +0000

As of this week, local and foreign media have reported that Cambodia announced the first domestic infection of the A(H1N1) virus. Four traveling US students who arrived in Cambodia last week, one Flipino and one Cambodia have tested positive but they have taken to the wings of the ministry of health. WHO has been alerting the whole world for this fast-growing disease. I am personally worried because I heard two cases of death from swine flu in Thailand and an increasing number of infections in the neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Laos.

Deep in the thought, communication is one of the most crucial people skills while ‘communication’ disease like H5N1 and H1N1 can be passed from one person to the other. ‘Communication’, as I know it, is the most mentioned activities since it constructs or destructs the whole world. And, yes, it results in another form: communicable disease. The word ‘communication’, thus, has made a tremendous as well as frightening track record of humankind history. Don’t get me wrong… I’m only trying to see the nature of ‘communication’ in many forms.

Swine flu in Cambodia yet?

Kounila Keo — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:37:00 +0000

Do you feel a great shock after hearing about the outbreak of ‘swineflu’? Then, you are one of us. Cambodia does not have any outbreak of swineflu yet. But I’m afraid in the future there will be since we’re one of the world. That also has something to do with our neighbouring countries like Vietnam and Thailand, one of the most Asian tourist transits.

This raises concerns among millions of people, I know. But what else can we do? Why are there new viruses developing every year? Are the medical scientists and researchers trying hard enough? We (the world) have had Spanish Flu, Avian Flu, SARS, Bird Flu and now Swine Flu, which is known as a descendent of Spanish Flu that killed millions in the past. Yesterday, the Cambodian prime minister assured the whole nation that there’s not even one single case of Swine Flu yet but alerted the whole country to be careful about this.

We are, indeed. But not sure if many poor people are informed.

Prevention of spread in humans

Influenza spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth.[27] Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food.[27] The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days, to the CDC for analysis.[28]
Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public.[29] Although the current trivalent influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the new 2009 H1N1 strain,[30] vaccines against the new strain are being developed and could be ready as early as June 2009.[31] Experts agree that hand-washing can help prevent viral infections, including ordinary influenza and the new swine flu virus. Influenza can spread in coughs or sneezes, but an increasing body of evidence shows little particles of virus can linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria. Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should see a doctor to be tested. Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community.