Swine FluJust another Totalaccessnet.com Blogs weblog

The United Kingdom has become the latest country to confirm cases of the

swine flu. At the same time, the World Health Organization has raised its

alert level from 3 to 4. With 150 people already killed in Mexico, the WHO

revealed that the influenza virus has the sustainability for human-to-human

transmission and can cause community level outbreaks.

One can recall a similar outbreak known as bird flu which was more risky

than H1N1 virus. According to Professor Neil Ferguson of the World Health

Organization, H1N1 is nothing when compared to other similar outbreaks such

as SARS or the 1918 Spanish flu.

According to the professor, the evidence is clear that the United Kingdom

is headed for a swine influenza pandemic in the coming months. However, it

would be difficult to determine the extent of the epidemic since this is

usually the time of the year when flu is prominent in the United Kingdom.

It is likewise almost sure that if the H1N1 outbreak disappears in the

coming weeks, there might still be an outbreak of the virus in the autumn.

If the situation indeed transforms into an epidemic, then 30% – 40% of the

general population might become susceptible to infection. Professor

Ferguson believes that any outbreak might become longer since the summer

season in the United Kingdom is fast approaching.

On the other hand, Sir Liam Donaldson, who is concurrent Chief Medical

Officer for England, believes that this new strain of H1N1 virus is

something which people has natural immunity and has not received any

vaccination yet. For this reason, one becomes susceptible to infection and

spread to other people.
However, there is no sufficient information about the virus yet and H1N1 is

still a subject of studies by major laboratories in the world. Once there

is sufficient information about the virus, only then can it be possible to

make improved predictions about individuals who are at higher risk and

likely to have serious complications.

At present, the situation in Mexico is creating confusion and it is hard to

make a firm a conclusion about what is likely to happen. In any case, there

is a need to be ready for any untoward incidents that may happen.

Professor John Oxford, meanwhile, believes that the H1N1 outbreak is not as

alarming as the H5N1 bird flu virus. He believes that the country can

provide the basic H1N1 immunity for the population. The outbreaks outside

of Mexico have not resulted to deaths which is an indication that the virus

is not that aggressive.

Aside from that, the summer months is fast approaching so it is less

probable for the H1N1 virus to cause an outbreak as well. In any case, the

United Kingdom has enough antiviral medicines to treat half of the

population.

With this in mind, there is no cause for worry about the H1N1 virus, as it

appears that it would cause an outbreak that would be felt all over the

world and increase mortality rates.

The outbreak of H1N1 began in Mexico City and as of today has resulted to

the death of 42 people and more than 800 confirmed cases of swine flu

infection. Although it has now spread in 22 countries, it is believed that

this new virus outbreak would not be result to a pandemic and is milder

than similar virus infections.

Swine flu is an illness that is affecting hundreds of individuals in the

United States as well as worldwide. According to the CDC, the illness may

take some more time. Since one is likely to become infected with the

condition, they need to understand swine flu symptoms in order for them to

obtain proper treatment or medicaion.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of H1N1 infection is similar to that of seasonal flu. Among

the symptoms include cough, sore throat, running or stuffy nose, chills and

fatigue, to name just a few. Several people infected with the virus have

complained of diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups prone to H1N1 is

not yet known at the moment but it is likely that they are similar to those

suffering from seasonal influenza.

People at greater risk of serious side effects from seasonal flu include

people more than 65 years old, children below 5 years old, pregnant women,

and people with chronic medical consitions as well as those who are taking

immunosuppressive medications or with HIV infection.

Avoid Social Contact

If you are feeling sick, your condition may last for more than a week. You

should remain at home and refrain from making social contact. As much as

possible, you should not communicate with other people to avoid the spread

of the virus.

At the moment, the CDC believes that H1N1 has similar properties on the

aspect of transmission with seasonal flu virus. If you go out of the house

to consult your doctor, wear a mask or use a tissue when coughing or

sneezing. 

According to recent studies, people suffering from seasonal flu are at risk

to transmit the disease a day prior to development of symptoms for up to

seven days after getting sick.

Children are more likely to be at risk for a longer period of time so it is

best to consult a healthcare provider.
Emergency Warning Signs

If you suddenly become sick and experience any of the following warning

signs, this is your cue to seek emergency medical assistance.

In the case of children becoming ill due to H1N1infection, the following

warning signs may require immediate medical attention:

* Fast or difficulty in breathing
* Bluish or gray colored skin
* Insufficient amount of liquids
* Severe or continuous vomiting
* Lack of sleep or interaction
* Irritability
* Recovery from flu-like symptoms but the symptoms come back with fever and

worse coughing

Among adults, the following emergency warning signs demand immediate

medical attention:

* Trouble with breathing or shortness of breath
* Abdominal pains or pressure in the chest
* The individual suddenly becomes dizzy
* The patient is confused
* Severe or continuous vomiting
* Recovery from flu-like symptoms but the symptoms come back with fever and

worse coughing

Prevention Is The Best Treatment

You can do your part in preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus. Here are

some tips on how you can take part in efforts for preventing the spread of

infection.

* Be aware. Obtain information about H1N1 by visiting the website of the

CDC.

* Use a tissue in covering your mouth and nose when sneezing. Afterwards,

throw the tissue in the trash.

* With soap and water, wash your hands after coughing or sneezing. If

possible, use alcohol-based sanitizers.

* Refrain from touching your nose or mouth as this could lead to easy

transmission of germs.

By being aware of swine flu symptoms, the spread of the H1N1 virus would

easily be prevented.

Of this Swine Flu’s 5th phase spread out, if there are at least two

countries in one region and spread the virus by any means of human-to-human

transmission.  The signal of the pandemic is strong.  The infected

countries are required to advise people with respiratory illnesses to stay

at home.  There should be an advisory of suspension of classes.  Some key

states in the United States already announced suspension of classes.  An

example of this is when a man-infected virus either a family member or any

of his friends travel to another neighboring country.

If an infected man goes out from his community booked a flight to another

country such as China, that country will get infected too.  People whom he

talked while in plane even if he’s experiencing a fever, sore throat and

headaches can be possible Swine Flu career after few more days before

he/she can discover the virus.  Similar case from a 19-year old Chinese

student from Canada (he closely contact with dying man by Swine Flu virus

and later traveled home to Beijing and boarded the train.)
 
In the Philippines, no outbreak of swine flu yet but the government is now

planning and preparing for the possible spread out.  President Gloria

Macapagal Arroyo instructed Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to closely

monitor the possible spread out to the Filipino.  Some Filipinos are aware

of the pandemic but they still go to the countries with flu spread out

cases believing themselves that they have strong immune system.
In Mexico, some of the schools are already closed to protect their children

from bigger numbers of flu cases.

This massive spread out was all started from scratch—the phase one.  This

article will try to reenact the source of Swine Flu with a short fiction

story.  In the first phase, there is an animal-flu governed the hog farm in

a poor community.  Suddenly by the next phase, this cute little pig started

delivering sneezed out from the slimy and shiny nose to his owner.  The

owner suffers with a sneeze, cough, sore throat, fever and headaches by the

next few hours.

Unintentionally, as a Swine Flu carrier, will be sharing his cough to his

child on the next phase.  And on the fourth phase the child greets her

friend who is now leaving for another country for a vacation.  And that

friend while in the plane experiencing a fever and sore throat with

headache until her father discovered in that country that she had a Swine

Flu virus.

Some countries are also doing their planning and preparation for the

prevention of the Swine Flu virus spread out.  Advance preventive measures

will lessen the spread out.  Check your health officers about the

information available against Swine Flu.

Newsbreak on the flash: “A new strain of Swine Flu that has killed 149 and

sickened nearly two thousand in Mexico has spread to the United States and

is raising fears of a possible pandemic.”  Through this article you will

learn more about the disease and why it is causing concern among health

officials and inform the readers about the two suggested antiviral drugs by

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to fight Swine Flu

pandemics.

This prescription of antiviral medication that can be used to treat

influenza infections between children and adults is called Tamiflu.  If

their symptoms have started within the last two days they are advice to

start taking the Tamiflu.  This antiviral medication can also be used to

prevent children, teens and adults if they are exposed to the influenza

virus.

Relenza (ruh-LENS-uh) is more active than the Tamiflu.  This kind of

medicine, aside from treatment of influenza they can also prevent the

suspect to getting the flu again.  While some antiviral medicines only

protect against influenza A, Relenza is effective against both influenza A

and B.  This Relenza drug belongs to neuramidase inhibitors group of

medicines.  These medications target the influenza virus and prevent it

from spreading inside your body.

Relenza treats the cause of influenza at its source, rather than simply

treating the symptoms like the role of Tamiflu.  Simulations suggest that

if physicians choose a second effective antiviral such as zanamivir. 

Zanamivir is the generic name of Relenza as first-line treatment in even a

few percent of cases, but can solve to delay the spread of resistant

strains.

The available antiviral treatments for influenza, the virus is resistant to

rimantadine and amantadine, but sensitive to the oseltamivir and zanamivir.

 Oseltamivir is the generic name Tamiflu.  This strain may mutate develop

resistance of oseltamivir in the future.

Tamiflu and Relenza is highly recommended by the CDC for both treatment and

prevention of the new strain.  The shelf life of federally stockpiled

Tamiflu from the original five years to seven years because studies

indicated that the medication continues to maintain its effectiveness had

already extended by the United States government and Roche Applied Science.

 Not only that, the other members of the G8 Countries extended their

contract stockpiled of Tamiflu from vaccine manufacturers.

It is highly recommended not to buy from online pharmacies without an

address of these two types of medications because their stockpiled are

counterfeited.  Consult to the World Health Organization for information

about the antiviral drugs before making any steps in your country.

Medical experts warned the public not to take the antiviral drugs if you

are not ill.  You only want to be safe but the worst thing is if you take

any of this antiviral drugs may lead you to a virus developing drug

resistance.  They suggest that antiviral drug should be taken only to very

sick people or an individual with low immune system. 

From the undetermined source that only one out of three Americans would get

Swine Flu vaccine or antiviral drugs.  So, it means the vaccine

manufacturers especially the manufacturers of Tamiflu and Relenza have no

enough capability to do more drugs against the pandemics.

According to CDC, testing has found that the Swine Flu virus remains at

risk to two common antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza.