Saturday, September 5, 2009

Swine Flu?!!, Don't fear my Brethren

SWINE FLU FACT FILE


What are the symptoms?

Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular

flu and include fever of over 100.4°F, fatigue, lack of

appetite, and cold. Some people with swine flu have

also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea,

vomiting and diarrhoea. Nearly everyone with

flu has at least two of these symptoms.

So, how do you know if you have flu or just cold?
There is one clue: when you have the flu, you

feel flu symptoms sooner than you would cold

symptoms, and they come on with much

greater intensity. With the flu, you may

feel very weak and fatigued for up to

2 or 3 weeks. You'll have muscle aches and

periods of chills and sweats as fever comes and goes.

You may also have a

stuffy or runny nose, headache, and sore throat.

Can I compare flu symptoms with cold symptoms?
Yes. The following chart can help you compare

flu symptoms with cold symptoms. Use it to

lean the differences and similarities between

flu and cold symptoms. Then, if you get flu

symptoms, call your doctor and ask about an antiviral drug.



Symptoms


You cannot confirm if you have swine flu just based

on your symptoms. Like seasonal flu, pandemic

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.


Doctors may offer a rapid flu test, but what you

need to understand is a negative result doesn't

necessarily mean you don't have the flu. Only

lab tests can definitively show whether you've

got swine flu. State health departments can

do these tests.

Source: WebMD

Can it be prevented?

Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent

influenza when they are given to a person who is not

ill, but who has been or may be near a person with swine

influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs

are about 70% to 90% effective. When used for

prevention, the number of days that they should be

used will vary depending on a person’s particular

situation.

Follow this general procedure to reduce the risk of

catching or spreading the virus, you should:

  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and
  • sneezing, using a tissue
  • Throw the tissue away quickly and carefully
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
  • Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls)
  • frequently with a normal cleaning product
  • Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to
  • keep from making others sick. Do not go to work or
  • school while ill
  • Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone,
  • except to seek medical care or for other necessities.
  • (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
  • Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks,
  • electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from
  • being dehydrated
  • Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable –
  • when sharing common spaces with other
  • household members to help prevent spreading the virus
  • to others.
Source: CDC, National Health Service, UK website

Will it help to wear a mask?

Information on the effectiveness of facemasks and

respirators for decreasing the risk of influenza

infection in community settings is extremely limited.

So, it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in

decreasing the risk of Swine Flu virus transmission

in these settings. However, a well-fitted, FDA-approved

mask together with other preventive measures MAY

reduce the risk of contracting the flu. Those

who are sick or caring for someone who is ill

should consider using a mask or respirator if

leaving the house becomes necessary.

Source: CDC

What precautions should one take at home?

Two things - soap and water can reduce the chance

of infection by 30 per cent. All you need to do is

keep washing your hand with soap and water

frequently. Wash hands frequently with soap

and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner

when soap and water are not available. Avoid

touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Eat healthy: Proteins are essential to help your

body maintain and build strength. Lean meat,

poultry, fish, legumes, dairy, eggs, and nuts

and seeds are good sources of protein.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends

that adults eat 50 grams of protein per day.

Pregnant and nursing women need more. By

eating foods high in protein, we also get the

benefit of other healing nutrients such as

vitamins B6 and B12, both of which contribute to

a healthy immune system.

Vitamin B6 is widely available in foods, including

protein foods such as turkey and beans as well

as potatoes, spinach, and enriched cereal grains.

Proteins such as meats, milk, and fish also

contain vitamin B12, a powerful immune booster.

Minerals such as selenium and zinc work to keep

the immune system strong. These minerals are

found in protein rich foods such as beans, nuts,

meat, and poultry.

Exercise: Regular exercise may help prevent the

flu. According to recent findings, when moderate

exercise is repeated on a near daily basis, there

is a cumulative immune-enhancing effect. That is,

your strong immune system can fight flu better.

When you exercise, your white blood cells -- the

blood cells that fight infections in the body -- travel

through your body more quickly, fighting bacteria and

viruses (such as flu) more efficiently. To maintain

good health, experts recommend at least 30 minutes of

aerobic activity such as walking, swimming, biking, or

running each day.

Source: Flu India website, CDC, WebMD

What precautions should one take at schools?

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • People who are sick with an influenza-like illness
  • should stay home and keep away from others as
  • much as possible, including avoiding travel,
  • for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except
  • to get medical care or for other necessities.
  • (Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue
  • when coughing or sneezing
  • Wash your hands often
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Source: CDC

Is it safe to travel?

Avoid traveling unnecessarily. However, if you must

travel, check how the country you're going to

handles swine flu. Although, the WHO doesn't recommend

travel restrictions, many countries have set up their

own H1N1 policies, and some travelers have been

screened or quarantined in other countries because

of swine flu concerns.

Source: WebMD.com