You may have heard about Swine Flu in the news and wondered what the disease really was, as well as whether you or your family members are at risk, and what can be done about it.

Swine Flu is the newest deadly disease that?s been taking a toll on human lives. There are many misconceptions regarding to the recent outbreak. Here are some basic things you should know about the Swine Influenza.

The Swine Flu epidemic is caused by the spread of the new H1N1 influenza virus strain, which was first detected last March. It was detected in three areas in Mexico, but it took a month for it to be clinically identified. Then strains of the virus were found in various Mexican cities, the USA., and other northern-hemisphere countries.

When the new Swine Flu strain found its way to Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Israel, and New Zealand, the World Health Organization decided to raise its pandemic alert level to 4. This means that the virus has a sustained human-to-human transmission.

But despite its high alert level, the WHO announced that most people who get the Swine Flu virus recover from it without the use of drugs or even medical attention.

The new Swine Flu virus is said to be the combination of several influenza strains. The analysis of the new H1N1 influenza strain, by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, found that it is made from one strain which is endemic in humans, two strains endemic in Eurasian and American pigs, and one strain endemic in birds.

The world has been alarmed about the increasing death toll the Swine Flu epidemic has caused in Mexico. Both the WHO and the CDC has expressed concern that it can become a serious flu pandemic, because it can be transferred from human to human. Government agencies across the world are monitoring the situation at the moment and reporting to the World Health Organization about any suspected Swine Flu victims.

For unknown reasons, the only deaths known to occur as a result of the swine flu epidemic occurred in Mexico. It is seen to affect even young and healthy adults. Therefore, in theory, anyone can catch the swine flu. Each one of us must therefore be cautious and try to avoid contact with sick people, even if they?re not affected by swine flu.

New Zealand is the lone southern-hemisphere country that has a confirmed case of swine flu. There are countries that have advised their citizens to refrain from travelling to infected areas, so that they will avoid getting it. Some countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, ban the import of pork products, as a precautionary measure against the epidemic.

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Swine flu refers to influenza caused by those strains of influenza virus that usually infect pigs and are called swine influenza virus (SIV). Swine influenza is common in pigs in the M?d-West of the United States and some other states, Mexico, Canada, South America, Europe, Kenya, Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and other parts of eastern Asia.

Transmission of swine influenza virus from pigs to humans is not common and properly-cooked pork poses no risk of infection. When transmitted, it does not always cause human influenza and often the only sign of infection is the presence of antibodies in the blood which are only detectable by laboratory tests. When transmission results in influenza in a human, it is called zoonotic swine flu. People who work with pigs, especially people with intense exposures, are at risk of catching swine flu. However, only about fifty such transmissions have been recorded since the mid-20th Century, when identification of influenza subtypes became possible. Rarely, these strains of swine flu can pass from human to human. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness in general, namely chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.

The 2009 flu outbreak in humans, known as “swine flu”, is due to an apparently virulent new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that contained many genetic elements normally found in swine influenza. The origin of this new strain is unknown, and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reports that this strain has not been isolated in pigs. It can be transmitted from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. This 2009 H1N1 strain causes the normal symptoms of influenza, such as fever, coughing and headache.

The 2009 flu outbreak is due to a new strain of influenza, an apparent reassortment of at least four strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, including one strain endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in swine. Although initial reports identified the new strain as swine influenza (ie, a zoonosis), its origin is unknown. Several countries took precautionary measures to reduce the chances for a global pandemic of the disease.

This new strain had not previously been reported in pigs. On May 2, 2009, H1N1 was reported in pigs at a farm in Alberta, Canada, with a link to the 2009 swine flu outbreak in Mexico. The pigs are suspected to have caught this new strain of virus from a farm worker who recently travelled to Mexico, then showed symptoms of an influenza-like illness. These are probable cases, pending confirmation by laboratory testing.

The time and location of the outbreak is still unknown, but it was first detected in two cases in Southern California in late March. When this novel virus was publicized, officials in Mexico suspected a link to an outbreak of late-season flu cases they were finding. Mexican news media report that the outbreak may have started in February near a Smithfield Foods pig plant amid complaints about its intensive farming practices. Within days, hundreds more suspected cases were discovered in Mexico, with more cases also showing up in the U.S. and several other countries. By late April, officials from the U.N.’s World Health Organization (WHO), based in Switzerland, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the U.S., were expressing serious concern about the flu outbreak, worried that it might become a worldwide flu pandemic.

The new strain has spread widely beyond Mexico and the U.S., with confirmed cases in eighteen countries and suspected cases in forty-two. Many countries have advised their inhabitants not to travel to infected areas. Countries including Australia, China, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand are monitoring visitors returning from flu-affected areas to identify people with fever and respiratory symptoms. Many countries have also issued warnings to visitors of flu-affected areas to contact a doctor immediately if they had flu-like symptoms.

Mexico’s schools, universities, and all public events will be closed from April 24, 2009 to May 6, 2009. By May 3, 2009, more than 400 schools in the U.S. closed due to confirmed or probable cases in students or staff, affecting 250,000 students

By April 28, the new strain was confirmed to have spread to Spain, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Israel, and the virus was suspected in many other nations. As a result, WHO raised its alert level to “Phase 5″ out of 6 possible, which it defines as a “signal that a pandemic is imminent” By the end of April, 300 schools had closed across the United States and the Mexican government ordered a multi-day shutdown of all non-essential activities in the government and private sector, amounting to a shutdown of most of the country’s economy. At the same time, however, many scientists were reaching a consensus that the epidemic was so far “relatively mild,” and believed that it could be less fatal than previous pandemics.

The new strain is an apparent reassortment of four strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1. Analysis by the CDC identified the four component strains as one endemic in humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs (swine). However, other scientists have stated that analyses of the 2009 swine flu (A/H1N1) viral genome “suggests that all segments are of swine origin”, “we are puzzled about sources of information that affirm that the virus is a reassortment of avian, human and swine viruses,” and “this preliminary analysis suggests at least two swine ancestors to the current H1N1, one of them related to the triple resorting viruses isolated in North America in 1998.” One swine strain was widespread in the United States, the other in Eurasia. Worldwide the common human H1N1 influenza virus affects millions of people every year, according to WHO officials, and “these annual epidemics result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths” annually. In industrialized countries most of these annual deaths occur in people aged 65 or older. By May 2, some pigs in Canada were diagnosed with H1N1. Although some influenza strains can spread between species, the influenza virus is killed by normal cooking procedures, so there is no risk of infection from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.

Recommendations to prevent infection by the virus consist of the standard personal precautions against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public. The CDC advises not touching the mouth, nose or eyes, as these are primary modes of transmission. When coughing, they recommend coughing into a tissue and disposing of the tissue, then immediately washing the hands.

Of the available antiviral treatments for influenza, the WHO stated that the viruses obtained from the human cases with swine influenza in the United States were sensitive to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) but resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. Tamiflu and Relenza also have a preventative effect against Influenzavirus A. On April 27, the CDC recommended the use of Tamiflu and Relenza for both treatment and prevention of the new strain. Roche and the U.S. government had already extended 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.

 

 

The recent swine flu outbreak in Mexico has caused much trepidation among the international community, especially because of the increasing number of fatalities. It is important to recognize swine flu symptoms to prevent the spread of infection and illness.

Swine flu or swine influenza is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza type A virus, endemic in domestic pigs. In the past, swine flu has infected people only rarely – those infected being ones who have had direct and close contact to infected pigs. But the current swine flu outbreak in Mexico is different, caused by a new strain of the swine flu virus. As per recent health reports, swine flu is being transmitted with surprising speed in humans, spreading easily from person to person, causing serious illness among those infected. It has been reported that the disease has been diagnosed in humans who haven’t had any exposure to pigs.

Among pigs, swine flu symptoms include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulties, redness or inflammation of the eye, going off feed, and discharge from the nose or eyes.

Like the influenza virus affecting humans, swine flu viruses are constantly mutating. Although the swine flu viruses are not the same as human flu viruses, swine flu symptoms resemble those produced by regular human seasonal influenza. In humans, common swine flu symptoms are fever, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, severe headache, coughing, lethargy, lack of appetite, weakness, and general discomfort. Some may even experience runny or stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

However in humans, self care measures and appropriate treatment in the early stages of infection can reduce the increased risk of these complications. In order to confirm that the illness is the result of a swine flu virus, one must undergo laboratory testing. Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza are considered effective for the treatment and/or prevention of infection by swine flu viruses.

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Although Gordon Brown assures us Britain is well prepared to deal with an outbreak of Swine Flu, I am always happier to take proactive action myself and there are some simple measures we can all take.  They are not guaranteed to prevent you getting it, but they will certainly help. 

The symptoms are of course very similar to any other flu you might experience: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue so report to your doctor if you have these.  However, what you also need to do is focus on strengthening your own immune response to prevent infection getting a hold and developing.  

1          This time of year I usually have stopped taking Echinacea, but it is my first port of call to build up my defences and if you can get Echinacea tincture that is the most effective in my opinion. Boots produce their own and there is an excellent one made by Bioforce from helath stores.  Take it daily for three weeks then a week off.

2          Next increase the amount of vitamin C you are taking, at least 1 gram a day in two 500mg doses is the most effective.  Have as natural and unprocessed diet as you can, and juicing your fruit and vegetables gets you the maximum vitamins from them. 

3          Your body requires oxygen for every cell to function properly because viruses can neither survive nor thrive in it. Therefore, the best defence against microbes, germs, harmful bacteria and viruses, such as the swine influenza virus, is to keep the body oxygenated.  Add in eggs to your diet as they are excellent for  improving your oxygen absorption. See the healthy bites item on eggs below.

4          Are you breathing deeply enough? Shallow breathing will not bring enough oxygen into so your system, and being out in the fresh air every day is a must.  Walking at a moderate pace while breathing in for a count of six, and out for a count of six, is one of the simplest ways to do this.  If you find a count of six difficult, reduce it to four, or if it becomes easy increase to six or eight.

5          Limit foods and substances that stress the body such as sugar, caffeine, alcohol, smoking, too much red meat and processed foods high in saturated and hydrogenated fats.

6         Increase your intake of green tea, and reduce coffee and tea.  Green tea will really help as its antixodants will boost your immune system.  Add some lemon to it and you get extra vitamin C as well.

7          Finally, go back to basic hygiene and wash your hands in hot soapy water frequently and carry hand gel when you are out and use it after contact with others such as a handshake – and contact in public places with stair rails, lift buttons and so on.

It may all seem like a nonsense, but people have died from not taking this seriously.  The good habits outlined here will help protect you, and if you maintain them you will have a solid barrier to prevent future infection.

Yes, you must’ve heard it already. Spine Flu is no more a virgin word. It’s caused by spine influenza virus that usually affects pigs. However, the new swine flu having prospective ecumenical affects is a new strain of virus, H1N1 strain, A type, containing genes of the swine influenza.

News is spreading like wild fire with warning that the swine flu can be transmitted via aerial droplets, for example when sneezing, or via saliva or feces. Clinical symptoms generally seen are: fever, widespread pain, fatigue, nose catarrh and cough.

There have been cases in Mexico reported to have human-to-human transmission. Although many countries have been controlling airplanes to stop the virus from turning into an epidemic, there was a 25 year old man tested positive in Hong Kong recently.

Although it was said that the virus might not touch Asia, Hong Kong has gone frantic with its attempts to isolate the person affected and give him appropriate treatment. They have actually tried tracking down every person who possibly had contact with the man while his travel from Mexico via Shanghai.

There were two taxi drivers who assisted the Mexican and if they are infected and they don’t appear, there shall be bad consequences. It’s a critical time in Hong Kong.

The attendants in the hotels where the Mexican was staying were quarantined for seven days. It is however an international joke that the Metropark hotel has been locked up even though most people in the hotel have not even contacted with the infected man and overseas tourist are under vigilance for seven days.

China is soon to suspend all flights from Mexico to avoid further prospective infects. These frenetic preventive steps are because they’ve been through a painful epidemic with painful nostalgia carrying it, the SARS breakout which had taken away many innocent lives in its vicious circle.

Gearing up to fight the disease with facial masks in restaurants and on public transport, the spirit of the city hasn’t dampened as it hasn’t canceled any concerts and shows that are scheduled to happen in Hong Kong. Prevention is surely better than cure, but there isn’t any harm having fun while prevention. Don’t you think?