| H1N1 and Swine Flu: Is it a Pandemic? |
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| Internet - Virus and Trojans |
| Written by Eric Vanderham |
| Thursday, 21 May 2009 13:18 |
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Swine flu spreads through coughing and sneezing by others infected. Most people have had the normal flu several times in their life, and the symptoms are similar in either case: a fever of over 100 degrees farenheit, chills, stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, aching body, tiredness. There are some differences however with H1N1 flu.
Swine flu spreads through coughing and sneezing by others infected. Most people have had the normal flu several times in their life, and the symptoms are similar in either case: a fever of over 100 degrees farenheit, chills, stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, aching body, tiredness. There are some differences however with H1N1 flu. In children, some indications you should take them immediately to the hospital are the following: lethargy, bluish or grayish skin tone, difficulty breathing, severe vomiting, extreme irritability, not drinking enough fluids, having repeat flu symptoms that are worse the second time around. For adults, symptoms that indicate emergency medical help would include labored difficult breathing, severe vomiting, dizziness, pain in chest or stomach or pressure in those areas, confused thinking, and flu symptoms that diminish and then return with greater coughing and fever. HINI flu. This is a respiratory disease and is a type of flu virus that occurs frequently in pigs. It is not a normal year that humans contract swine flu, but it can result in a human infection and this year definitely has. This is because it is a new form of the virus. It has two genes from flu viruses that are typically in pigs in certain parts of the world. At this time, there is no population of pigs in the U.S. that are showing an infection of this virus. The H1N1 was found in a herd of pigs in Alberta, Canada which are now quarantined. Do not be concerned however about contracting this virus from eating pork. It is not distributed through food, but is a respiratory disease. I realize Egypt slaughtered all their pigs, but they are the only country that has done this, at least that has been broadcast. Pandemic flu is one in which there is minimal immunity in ones body, and therefore the disease spreads quickly from person to person. There is no pandemic flu at this time. Pandemic flu is a typically caused from a new flu virus. Pandemic flu results in a global spread of acute illness with huge populations becoming ill from the disease. At this time, the H1N1 virus is being observed and monitored carefully as to how the virus is spreading. Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that is spread from person to person, there is a vaccine for it, and people normally have some degree of immunity to this flu. Precautions: have plenty of Kleenex on hand to cough and sneeze into and throw out your used Kleenex rather than leaving it around for germs to spread. Wash hands with soap, use sanitizers when youre not near soap and water, and tell people at work to head for home if they are showing symptoms of this flu. So whats the big deal about swine flu compared to the other influenza that goes around? As in any flu, other medical conditions you might have can in combination become more dangerous to your system. For example, heart disease patients are more susceptible to having medical concerns heightened by the flu. Having a flu shot will not protect your from swine influenza, otherwise there would be lineups of people waiting for their vaccination. There is an anti-viral drug for H1N1 or swine flu that can be administered by a physician, but usually the symptoms need to be fresh, within two days prior to having the drug. Health care departments are administering this anti-viral drug to the most acutely ill and those who have to be in close quarters with them who are more susceptible to infection. Who is most at risk for acquiring H1N1? People with respiratory conditions, especially those under age five, pregnant women and older people over age 65. There were several people who came back from Mexico this past spring break at our office. We all wash our hands at work and a couple staff worked from home for one week as their spouse or them was feeling ill. I have not become ill, nor have any of them tested positive though they have been tested a few times now as a precaution. About the Author: Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to worrying about swine flu or H1N1 flu. Discover who is at risk and when to see the doctor rather than panicking at the first symptom of flu. Swine flu H1N1 virus versus Pandemic flu |