Flu Time » Flu http://flu-time.com Swine Flu, H1N1 Virus, Avian Flu & Bird Flu Updates Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:12:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 I Changed My Mind About Swine Flu http://flu-time.com/flu/i-changed-my-mind-about-swine-flu/ http://flu-time.com/flu/i-changed-my-mind-about-swine-flu/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:00:50 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=157 Here Is Why I Changed My Mind About Swine Flu

I suspect that for most people their concern about swine flu peaked the day that the World Health Organization raised their warning level all the way up to level 6 and declared that they were at "full pandemic status". Since then the world has not melted or anything, so we have all gone back to business as usual. I know that I have, and I think most people have taken the view that this thing is pretty much yesterday’s story and that swine flu is about as harmful as a drink of water.

And you know what? So far, it looks as if that’s about right (yes, some people have died of swine flu complications, but a lot less than were initially expected). I have to admit that I was starting to feel the same way, but I have just finished reading a book called "Survive Pandemic Flu – Understand and Protect Against Novel Strains Of Influenza", and what I found out is that looks can be deceiving when it comes to strains of flu. The author points out that the last time we saw a flu strain like this novel H1N1 strain begin spreading around the world, it ended with the deaths of about 100 million people.

It did not happen that long ago either. It was 1918, less than a century ago. An H1N1 strain came out of nowhere at about the same time of the year, spring time, and then vanished a month or two later without causing much of a problem. But then it came back in the fall.

This time it was completely changed, and that dopey virus that caused little loss of sleep in the early part of the year was suddenly dropping people in their tracks. Those that turned blue did not last very long, and in most cities around the world they quickly ran out of coffins and had to stack corpses in makeshift piles and bury them in mass graves.

Well, I could go on about the obvious parallels between the strain that emerged in 1918 and the one we are dealing with in 2009. But really, I would only be scratching the surface of a very involved story that actually goes back to Abraham Lincoln and something he did during the Civil War. Something which guaranteed that even if nature acting on its own does not come up with a twin version of that 1918 strain, we may yet get
to experience it again anyway.

That was just one of the surprising things I discovered in Survive Pandemic Flu, and I can guarantee you that those "idiot" WHO officials that we all laughed at earlier when they raised the alarm and then nothing bad seemed to happen, well, they aren’t quite the idiots we made them out to be. Not by a long shot.

Trust me, if you think all those swine flu warnings were hype and that our troubles are now behind us, then you are going to be one of the 99 percent of the population that gets caught with its pants down when the nasty hits the fan. No one knows whether it will be this year, the next, or five years from now. But if you would rather be among the one percent whose family isn’t taken by surprise, get ahold of this book. Heck,
for the cost of cheap family meal you get an education that might just save the life of a family member one day.

So drop what you are doing, and check out  Survive Pandemic Flu right now so that you can get prepared well ahead of time. I know that my family is going to be a lot better off for me having learned what is in this book, and what I can do to make sure they are protected as much as possible against any pandemic threat – no matter when it makes its appearance.

Usually when someone tells you that some book they are recommending may be the most important one you will read this year, you already KNOW that it is a line. But in this case, that’s just not true. At any rate, you can decide for yourself when you go check it out. You can thank me later for pointing you in the right direction.

At the very least, sign up to grab the introductory chapters of the book. If you read those and you still think you and your family have nothing to fear from the next pandemic you will at least know where to find the information later if you discover you were wrong.

Learn more about how you can protect yourself and your loved ones now at Survive Pandemic Flu

]]> http://flu-time.com/flu/i-changed-my-mind-about-swine-flu/feed/ 0 How to Prevent Swine Flu http://flu-time.com/flu/how-to-prevent-swine-flu/ http://flu-time.com/flu/how-to-prevent-swine-flu/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:59:36 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=123 headache1

Prevent Swine Flu?

Can you really prevent Swine Flu or just try to avoid it? I don’t really know. Most of the precautionary tips we have received have to do with avoiding people who may be infected, covering nose and moth during cough or sneeze and disposing of tissue, wash hands frequently with a good disinfectant, especialy after coughing and sneezing.

It really sounds to me like the only way to prevent the H1N1 flu is to avoid people who may have it or get the flue vaccination if available. The news indicates there may be availability issues with the vaccinations at times. If that is the case you may want to check out the use of Tamiflu and to carry it a step further, you may want to review some of the masks, disinfectants and other products used to prevent Swine flu.

]]> http://flu-time.com/flu/how-to-prevent-swine-flu/feed/ 0 Prevent and Prepare for Swine Flu http://flu-time.com/flu/prevent-and-prepare-for-swine-flu/ http://flu-time.com/flu/prevent-and-prepare-for-swine-flu/#comments Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:31:55 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=100

How to Prevent and Prepare for Swine Flu

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

What is currently referred to in the media as the “swine flu” is a respiratory disease with symptoms similar to that of the familiar seasonal flu. While originally thought to originate with pigs, it has not been isolated in swine.[1] The official name for the “swine flu” we face is A(H1N1).[2] As of June 16, 2009, this flu outbreak is classified as a global pandemic.[3] The term “pandemic” is not bound to a certain number of cases, but defined by human-to-human transmission in three different countries in two different WHO regions.
In the event that this flu virus becomes a pandemic, everyday life may be disrupted because many people in many places might become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery. The following steps will help you prepare for the worst case scenario.

Steps

Prevention

  1. Know what the signs of swine flu are in people. The symptoms look a lot like an ordinary flu and include fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. It is reported that diarrhea and vomiting can also be included with the symptoms of illness. There’s no way to tell if you have the swine flu unless a respiratory specimen is taken within the first 4-5 days and sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or equivalent).
  2. Make sure you are in good health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Consider taking a Vitamin C supplement. The healthier you are, the better your immune system will be at defending your body against a virus.
  3. Practice good hygiene. If you sneeze, keep a disposable tissue in front of your mouth, after sneezing or blowing your nose throw the tissue away. Wash your hands often, especially if after blowing your nose/sneezing and before you eat. Use a disinfectant when possible or just use soap and water.
  4. Don’t share utensils or drinks. In cafeteria settings, it’s not uncommon for people to casually share utensils or take a sip from someone else’s drink. This should be completely avoided if there is any risk of a flu pandemic.
  5. Wear a facemask or respirator as instructed by authorities. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help prevent some exposure to flu viruses. However, facemasks should be used along with other preventive measures, such as frequent hand washing.[4]

Preparation
If a pandemic flu virus spreads rapidly, being prepared to stay at home will help slow down the virus because you’ll minimize your exposure (and other people’s exposure to you, if you become sick).

  1. Know what to expect.

    • A vaccine for pandemic flu may not be available for 4-6 months after a pandemic starts, and even then, it may only be available in limited amounts.
    • People will have little or no immunity to pandemic flu since it is a new virus to humans. With seasonal flu, people have some immunity built up from previous exposure to the viruses.
    • Symptoms of pandemic flu may be more severe than seasonal flu. More people are likely to die from pandemic flu than from seasonal flu.
    • If you got a swine flu vaccine in the ’70s, don’t expect it to protect you from this new strain.[5]
  2. Stock up. Store nonperishable foods, bottled water, over-the-counter drugs, health supplies and other necessities. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends having a 2-week supply. (These supplies can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages.) Have basic, over-the-counter health supplies such as a thermometer, facemasks, tissues, soap, hand sanitizers, medicine to relieve fever, and cold medicine.
  3. Plan ahead. Plan for what you will do in the following cases:
    • Schools dismissed: Consider childcare needs. Plan home learning activities and exercises. Have materials, such as books on hand. Also plan recreational activities that your children can do at home.

      • As for students, take valuable items from lockers, such as iPods and textbooks- if school is closed, you wouldn’t want such items left behind.
    • You or family member becomes sick and requires care: Make plans for how to care for people with special needs in case the services they rely on are not available. Plan to stay home for at least 10 days when you are sick with pandemic flu. Staying home will keep you from infecting others. Make sure others in your household also stay home when they are sick. During a severe pandemic, stay home if someone in your household is sick with pandemic flu.
    • Transportation networks disrupted. Think about how you can rely less on public transportation during a pandemic. For example, store food and other essential supplies to reduce shopping trips. Prepare backup plans for taking care of loved ones who are far away. Consider other ways to get to work, or if you can, work at home.
  4. Talk to your employer. Ask your employer about how business will continue during a pandemic. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services offers a Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist; or you can Develop a Risk Management Plan that accounts for the possibility of a flu pandemic. Find out if you can work from home, or if your employer will consider virtualizing the workforce. Plan for the possible reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your place of employment is closed. Check with your employer or union about leave policies.
  5. Stay updated. Identify sources you can count on for reliable information. If a pandemic occurs, having accurate and reliable information will be critical.
    • Reliable, accurate, and timely information is available at PandemicFlu.gov and World Health Organization swine flu page
    • Telephone sources include the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. If you do not live in the U.S., check if there is an equivalent hotline in your area.
    • Look for information on your local and state government Web sites. Review your state’s planning efforts and those of your local public health and emergency preparedness officials.
    • Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television, and read your newspaper and other sources of printed and Web-based information.

If You Contract This Flu

  1. In most cases flu patients should stay home. Do not go to the hospital or doctor, or else you might spread the virus to other patients.

    • On the other hand do seek emergency care as quickly as possible if the infected person is:[5]

      • Exceptionally ill with flu-like symptoms
      • Chronically ill
      • Immune-suppressed
      • Elderly
      • A very young child, under age 2
  2. Call your doctor first, explain that you think you might have the swine flu, and follow any instructions. Read the US CDC guidelines on care.
  3. Get plenty of rest, and wait it out, the flu should pass in about 10 days.
  4. Be aware of life-threatening complications which might develop. If you get any of these you should get emergency medical care.
  • Emergency warning signs in adults are:[5]

    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
    • Sudden dizziness
    • Confusion
    • Severe or persistent vomiting

    Emergency warning signs in children are:[5]

    • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
    • Bluish skin color
    • Not drinking enough fluids
    • Not waking up or interacting
    • Being very irritable
    • Fever with a rash


Video

Dr Joseph Bresee, of the US Center for Disease Control Influenza Division discusses swine flu.


Tips

  • Avoid traveling to an affected area. People who have recently visited Mexico, California or Texas and are experiencing influenza-like symptoms, or have been in contact with sick persons from these areas, should contact their health care provider. Be sure to specify that you recently traveled.
  • Note that swine flu is transmitted from person-to-person, not from food.
  • Don’t confuse swine flu with avian (bird) flu. Unlike avian flu, swine flu has proven to be highly contagious between humans.[5]


Warnings

  • Don’t panic. While it is prudent to be prepared, there is no need to overreact. For most people, basic precautions are all that is needed.
  • The Centers for Disease Control estimates that, on average, over 36,000 Americans die each year from flu related causes. Keep in mind that so far the swine flu pales in comparison to the regular flu.


Related wikiHows


Sources and Citations

  1. ? http://www.radionetherlands.nl/news/international/6280110/WHOs-call-new-strain-of-H1N1-Mexican-flu
  2. ? http://www.14wfie.com/Global/story.asp?S=10286383
  3. ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_pandemic#Phases
  4. ? http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/masks.htm
  5. ? 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 http://blogs.discovery.com/news_animal/2009/04/health-experts-answer-swine-flu-questions.html

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Prevent and Prepare for Swine Flu. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

]]> http://flu-time.com/flu/prevent-and-prepare-for-swine-flu/feed/ 0 Symptoms of Swine Flu http://flu-time.com/flu/symptoms-of-swine-flu/ http://flu-time.com/flu/symptoms-of-swine-flu/#comments Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:49:36 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=97 Symptoms of Swine Flu and Precautions

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 H1N1 – Swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 – Swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, Swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

 

Typical Symptoms of Swine Flu

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing

* Bluish or gray skin color

* Not drinking enough fluids

* Severe or persistent vomiting

* Not waking up or not interacting

* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

* Sudden dizziness

* Confusion

* Severe or persistent vomiting

* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

 

Swine Flu Precautions

Individuals should focus on protecting themselves and their families.  They should stay informed. Health officials will provide additional information as it becomes available. They should also take these daily steps to protect their health and lessen the spread of the flu:

·       Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the  tissue in the trash after use.

·       Wash hands frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze. Hand disinfectant cleaners can help.

·       Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth to reduce spread of the virus.

·       Avoid close contact with infected people.

·       If sick with a flu-like illness, stay home for 7 days after onset of symptoms or until you have been Swine flu symptom free for 1 day, whichever is longer. This will reduce infecting others and spreading the virus.

·       Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoid crowds and other social contact whenever possible.

 

Swine Flu Symptoms

]]> http://flu-time.com/flu/symptoms-of-swine-flu/feed/ 0 Pandemic News Updates http://flu-time.com/flu/pandemic-news-updates/ http://flu-time.com/flu/pandemic-news-updates/#comments Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:36:38 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=54 Flu Pandemic News

We have just added two news feed to keep you up-to-date on the current H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic.  The first one is from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the second one is from the World Health Organization (WHO).  We hope these will help you as you keep track of this serious
health situation.

]]> http://flu-time.com/flu/pandemic-news-updates/feed/ 0 Swine Flu Survival http://flu-time.com/flu/swine-flu-survival/ http://flu-time.com/flu/swine-flu-survival/#comments Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:33:59 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=34 swine-flu-book-sm

Swine Flu Survival

I’m sure you are aware of this danger called the Swine Flu. Is it just a bunch of HYPE or is there something more to this? Some are saying it is reaching pandemic levels and there is no stopping it.

Who knows what tomorrow brings, but there are some simple things you can do to protect yourself and your family. Get the Swine Flu Survival Guide overview here.

]]> http://flu-time.com/flu/swine-flu-survival/feed/ 0 More Swine Flu http://flu-time.com/flu/more-swine-flu/ http://flu-time.com/flu/more-swine-flu/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 14:28:37 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=16 What is the difference between a vaccine and an antiviral?
Category: Vaccines Questions

cold-flu-symptoms

Vaccines are usually given to prevent infections. Influenza vaccines are made from either pieces of the killed influenza virus or weakened versions of the live virus that will not lead to disease. When vaccinated, the body’s immune system makes antibodies which will fight off infection if exposure to the virus occurs.
Antivirals are drugs that can treat people who have already been infected by a virus. They also can be used to prevent infection when given before or shortly after exposure and before illness occurs. A key difference between a vaccine and antiviral drug is that the antiviral drug will prevent infection only when administered within a certain time frame before or after exposure and is effective during the time that the drug is being taken while a vaccine can be given long before exposure to the virus and can provide protection over a long period of time.

How do you catch H1N1 (swine) flu?

Spread of H1N1 (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 H1N1 (swine) flu. Human-to-human spread of H1N1 (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.

How does this new H1N1 virus spread?

Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Are there medicines to treat H1N1 (swine) flu? Is Tamiflu Recommended?

Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza ®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these H1N1 (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).

Currently, the CDC is recommending the antiviral drugs Oseltamivir (®) or Zanamivir (Relenza®).

]]> http://flu-time.com/flu/more-swine-flu/feed/ 4 H1N1 Swine Flu http://flu-time.com/flu/h1n1-swine-flu/ http://flu-time.com/flu/h1n1-swine-flu/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 23:00:54 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=8 fever

H1N1 Swine Flu

What is H1N1 (swine) flu?

H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

Check out the swine flu symptoms here/

]]> http://flu-time.com/flu/h1n1-swine-flu/feed/ 1 H1N1 Flu and Antiviral Drugs http://flu-time.com/flu/h1n1-flu-and-antiviral-drugs/ http://flu-time.com/flu/h1n1-flu-and-antiviral-drugs/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 13:38:32 +0000 Helper http://flu-time.com/?p=3 flu headache

H1N1 – Swine Flu

You feel extreme exhaustion.  Your fever has you burning up.  You ache and hurt all over like you ran headlong into a bulldozer.  Your head throbs and feels like it is going to explode.  It isn’t at all uncommon for you to experience discomfort in your chest.  Sometimes you will even have a stuffy nose.  Maybe even sneezing.  Even a sore throat comes your way. 
Then to top things off, you develop what starts out to be a small, non-productive cough that may become very harsh and severe enough to keep you awake at night…depriving you of your desperately needed rest.

No one should ever have to suffer through the agonizing pain and discomfort that accompanies the flu.  No one, especially not you and not your children!

Discover what you can do to protect yourself, and your family, from the pain and misery of the flu.  Learn how to recognize the symptoms.  Then explore the options available to you for relief and recovery!   Keep in mind: You have 48 hours from the onset of flu symptoms to begin treatment.

The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by type A and type B influenza viruses that occurs mostly in fall and winter. The highly contagious virus usually enters the body through mucous membranes in the mouth, nose or eyes. When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, the virus becomes airborne and can be inhaled by anyone nearby. In most communities, school-age
children are the first to get the flu, and then they carry it home and to other group activities. In a mild flu season, about 10% to 15% of the population becomes infected. In a more severe flu season, 20% or more of the population can suffer from the flu.

If you feel seriously ill, you should always visit your doctor.
Only your doctor will be able to tell you if you have a condition
that requires treatment or if bed rest and fluids are all
you need to get better. If you think you have the flu, visit
your doctor as soon as symptoms start (within 2 days) and
ask for more information about CDC recommended oseltamivir (brand name Tamiflu ®).

In the past you may have had trouble getting your flu shot due to shortages of the vaccine.  But in spite of that, we firmly contend that your flu shot is still your best, most effective protection available to shield you from a deadly flu virus.

September and October are the ideal times to get your flu vaccination.  But we do understand that sometimes you won’t have access to the vaccine until later.  That’s OK though.  You can still be protected through the remainder of the flu season. 

 

 

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