All are aware of the H1N1 influenza/Swine flu/pig influenza – a disease with different names, and therefore TO FIGHT ANY DISEASE AWARENESS IS NECESSARY.  Don’t panic or become a prey to any myth.

Infants, kids, teenagers, pregnant women, old people anyone can become a victim of this flu. Do not get depressed.  Have fun by taking proper and good care to prevent yourself this season.  Keeping your state-of-mind stress-free is the first and foremost resolution to this problem. Stay cool and calm and “WE CAN FIGHT IT” is the MOTTO.

The latest updates states that drugs are discovered, vaccinations are made and introduced in the economy so we need not worry on this however, we should help the country to reduce the number of this so-called H1N1 virus affected victims. Misconceptions/rumors to be avoided. For example:

Myth: Pig influenza

Truth: The spread has been from person to person, not from pork to person.

Myth: The flu vaccine can give you the flu.

Truth: It protects, vaccine cannot aggravate the flu.

Myth: There is no treatment for the flu.

Truth: Two antiviral drugs are highly effective against the flu: Tamiflu in the pill form, and Relenza, which is inhaled. These drugs are most effective if taken within 48 hours of your first flu symptoms but the drugs are beneficial even if taken 48 hours after symptom onset. Neither Tamiflu nor Relenza cures the flu, however they can reduce the amount of time you are sick by one or two days and make you less contagious to others. These drugs work with both the typical strains of seasonal flu as well as swine flu.

Myth: The flu is only dangerous for the elderly.

Truth: Flu can become risky for anyone, even healthy young adults.  Some of the most susceptible people to seasonal influenza are young children. To protect infants from the flu, keep babies away from people who have the flu. Parents and caretakers of infants should get both the pandemic and seasonal flu vaccines.

Also see:  Swine Flu Symptoms

Be Optimistic Not Pessimistic and Save Yourself !

How?

Take certain precautions/preventions to fight and protect YOURSELF!

Common Prevention TIPS…”Good attitude and good perspective are great tools and techniques for survival”

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer as physical contact is the primary transmission method.
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue or cloth.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth – to be exercised at home/public places.
• Avoid traveling and be at home with ease incase sick with flu-like symptoms except for doc visits.
• If fever persists, consult your doc immediately.
• Face masks can be worn.
• Get enough sleep.
• Keep yourself hydrated.
• Eat immune boosting food and stick to vitamin-rich fruits.
• Avoid alcohol to keep your immune system strong.
• Keep yourself physically active in order to build immune system –brisk walking and exercise will help you to boost up and keep you moving.
• Be aware of the method of HOW and WHEN to get HELP.
• Nurture cleanliness in YOUR Family.

1. infants—protect from germs and enjoy the softness of the babies with proper and total care.
2. pregnant mothers—washing hands thoroughly and regular doc visits, and vaccine knowledge.
3. teenagers—flu shot.
4. Elderly and old- proper diet and exercise regime to be followed under the advice of the doc.

Therefore, a little perspective on the swine flu can really help us a lot NOT to react to the sensationalism associated with it…Do Not Say Sorry, Practice Smart Swine Flu prevention.

Unlike most years, in which just one or two cases of human swine flu were reported in the United States, at least 40 cases of swine flu in humans were reported as of April 27, 2009. Therefore, we need to keep a track/check on this as a cause of the Global Outbreak. — Of course, there are many more cases now, as we are well into the swine flu pandemic.

As the study reveals swine flu has attacked numerous countries for e.g. in “Mexico”, many of the patients are young adults, which made some investigators speculate that a strong immune response may cause some collateral tissue damage. Some patients develop severe respiratory symptoms and need respiratory support (such as a ventilator to breathe for the patient). Patients can get pneumonia (bacterial secondary infection) if the viral infection persists, and some can develop seizures. Therefore, in other words, signs of a more serious swine flu infection might result into pneumonia and respiratory failure too.

For A More Statistical Study:

• The usual mortality (death) rate for typical influenza A is about 0.1%.
• Average conventional flu mortality rate is about 36,000 per year.
• Projected novel H1N1 flu mortality rate is 90,000 per year in the U.S. (as determined by the president’s advisory committee).

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) developed tests to detect novel H1N1 virus and samples can be sent to local and state health departments and the CDC for confirmation of swine flu, especially if a child is in the hospital.) This pandemic is like two diseases; either you’re off work for a few days or you go to hospital, often to the intensive-care unit (ICU). There’s no middle ground and therefore, we need to keep track of the symptoms to get a proper treatment and cure.

A CHECK ON SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS:

1. Fever (100F or > than this)
2. Congestion & cough
3. Lingering runny nose or stuffy nose/nasal secretions
4. Sore throat and a positive strep test
5. Body aches
6. Headache
7. Chills
8. Fatigue or tiredness which can be extreme as reported in most infected individuals
9. Diarrhea, nausea, severe or persistent vomiting
10. Fast breathing or facing trouble while breathing
11. Bluish or gray skin color
12. Not drinking enough fluids
13. Not waking up or not interacting
14. Irritation and change in behavior
15. Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

5 ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL TIPS:

1. Drink plenty of fluids.
2. Swine flu vaccination shots.
3. Stay at home if YOU ARE A VICTIM.
4. Wash hands thoroughly.
5. Avoid close contact with sick people.