Swine flu is a debasementcaused by an infection. It's known as for a Trojan horse that pigs can get. People do not unexceptionally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. The virus is transmissible and can passed from human to human. Symptoms of pig flu in community are similar to the symptoms of set human flu and incorporatemalaise, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and energy.
There are antiviral medicines you can take to thwart or extravaganceboar flu. There is a vaccineobtainable to protect against hog flu. You can help nip in the bud the plantation of germs that effectbreathingillnesses like influenza by:
Covering your nose and backchat with a muscle when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the rubbish after you use it.
Washing your hands seldom with soap and sea, specially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
Avoiding sad your eyes, nose or aperture.
Trying to circumvent close connection with sick inhabitants.
Staying home from work or faculty if you are sick.
During the past week, less than 5,000 people were affected by swine flu. The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said in a statement, “Levels of pandemic ‘flu are currently very low, virtually concluding the second wave of the infection in this country.”
He further informed that the hospitals still have 211 patients of swine flu in England out of which 62 are in critical beds. He also says that for most people it has been a serious illness but children and younger adults developed serious conditions.
In England alone, there have been 28 more swine flu deaths since the last set of figures were announced, making the total figure go up to 279. The total number of deaths across UK amount to
390.
Even children and pregnant women have died with swine flu. This includes 21 deaths in children below five years of age and 12 pregnant women. Adults above the age of 65 were less than a fifth of the totalswine flu deaths.
The reason for fewer deaths, in adults above 65 years of age, is that they develop immunity to previous pandemics during their lives.
People who died of swine flu in England had a moderate or severe underlying health condition.
Under the swine flu vaccination programme in England, 3.7 million jabs have been given to priority groups. These groups included 132,000 pregnant women and 214,000 healthy children in the new six months to five year old group.
New Delhi: India is at the forefront of developing a swine flu vaccine that will be available in "four to seven months", the government announced Friday as 96 new infections were reported.
Speaking to reporters here Friday, union Health Secretary Naresh Dayal said: "The process has been already set in motion and India is at the forefront of developing a vaccine."
"But the vaccine will be available by four to seven months from now," he added.
There is no known vaccine so far to tackle the virus that has infected over 700 people in the country so far.
Dayal said the World Health Organisation had given the "seed stock" of the influenza A (H1N1) virus to India.
The seed stock is the cultured virus, which has the highest vaccine immunity and is commonly present in majority of the affected cases. If the vaccine is developed from the seed virus then it is likely to be effective for other strains.
In India, three pharmaceutical companies - Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Panacea Biotech - are working on developing the vaccine.
The WHO is already collaborating with the Serum Institute of India for developing a seasonal flu vaccine.
Dayal said Serum Institute of India has made a lot of progress and started animal testing of the vaccine.
No need to panic over swine flu: Govt
As panic gripped people in the metros over swine flu and a record 96 new cases came up, the Indian government Friday assured that it was equipped to tackle the virus that has killed one and infected over 700 people so far in the country.
The government also announced a slew of steps to tackle the fast-spreading flu, including decentralising the drug supply and allowing accredited private laboratories to conduct the tests.
Union Health Secretary Naresh Dayal said the government is decentralising the availability of the Tamiflu drug in the country so that there is no paucity and is ready to allow accredited private laboratories to conduct the test to detect the virus provided they have the facilities.
"A lot of panic has been created in the last two days, especially since the death of the girl in Pune. There is no cause for people to go into panic mode," Dayal told a press conference here.
Rida Shaikh, 14, died in Pune Monday of swine flu, and health officials blamed the death to "delayed treatment".
About 15% of people who contract influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) still contagious, eight days after the onset of symptoms, according to researchers from several universities and research centers in Quebec, under the coordination of Dr. Guy Boivin, center CHUL Research, and Gaston De Serres, National Institute of Public Health of Quebec. After 10 days, no such person is still contagious. These results will be presented at the International Congress Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy being held in San Francisco.
This study was conducted among members of 65 families in Quebec, from May to July 2009. These preliminary results will be complemented by ongoing studies and compared with those of work elsewhere in the world.
Further analysis of blood is taken in the context of this study aimed at better understanding the immune response of infected persons and to determine the proportion of persons infected who show no symptoms.
1. Recognizing Influenza A
According to the Institute for Public Health: "A possible case of influenza A H1N1 is a person with an acute respiratory syndrome with sudden onset of general symptoms such as fever over 38 ° C or aches or asthenia (fatigue) AND respiratory signs [cough or dyspnea [breathing disorder]]. " Some cases of influenza A have also presented a sore throat, runny nose, headaches or digestive problems (diarrhea, nausea or vomiting).
2. H1N1: When to contact their doctor?
Fatigue, discontinuous headache, fever ... you have symptoms. But when should we contact the doctor? "If the temperature is above 39° C with general symptoms like headache, body aches, extreme fatigue. If it is associated with respiratory disorders [dyspnea] basithoraciques or pain, or if it is associated with neurological signs, "says a doctor of the French Society of General Medicine. In all cases, if the fever persists for more than three days, the World Health recommends consulting a physician.
3. H1N1: Drugs effective
Paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin attention! Some drugs known to fight against the 'flu can do more harm than good! "We must avoid using acetyl salicylic acid [aspirin] because it increases the risk of Reyes syndrome [disease affecting the liver and brain]," said a doctor of the French Society of General Medicine. Also, do not take antiviral drugs (Tamiflu ®, Relenza ®) without consulting a doctor. In fact, "the only drug that can be taken to relieve pain and fever paracetamol [acetaminophen]. The risk / benefit ratio is much higher than that of ibuprofen and ketoprofen." Dosage of paracetamol ( adults and children over 50 kg): 1 g per dose to renew after 6 to 8 hours. Not more than 3 g per day.
4. When taking Tamiflu and Relenza?
Tamiflu and Relenza are antiviral drugs that can alleviate the symptoms of influenza A, shorten its duration and possibly prevent complications. However, "we must take if a doctor prescribes them," he recalled recently the WHO. Especially for Tamiflu, "making its routine may cause nausea, diarrhea and hallucinations," said the HPA (High Health Authority English). They are prescribed to people at risk of complications (respiratory ...) and must be taken within 48 hours after onset of illness to be effective. For other patients, the doctor prescribed symptomatic treatment (paracetamol ...). Note: In a declared pandemic (Phase 6), Tamiflu and Relenza can be prescribed to pregnant women.
5. What if symptoms persist?
Sometimes the symptoms persist or worsen (reprise fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain ...) even being under medical treatment. In this case, nothing should be overlooked! "The risks of complications are pulmonary [lung] and myocarditis [inflammation of the myocardium," said Dr. Patrick Pelloux, an emergency physician. "There is also a risk of meningo-encephalitis [inflammation of the meninges simultaneous and brain in the brain]," added a doctor of the French Society of General Medicine. Do not hesitate to remind your doctor. Avoid, however, go there directly because the risk of contagion runs until 48 hours after symptoms disappear.
6. How long is it contagious?
The influenza A, like other forms of influenza (B, C) is a highly contagious disease. The authorities also expect that 20 million people, nearly one third of the national population could be infected by the end of the year! To avoid infection, be aware that the incubation period (time from infection to onset of symptoms) could go, according to the Ministry of Health, up to 7 days. "A person infected with the virus influenza A is contaminating five days before the onset of symptoms," said Dr. Patrick Pelloux, an emergency physician. She stays until 48 hours after symptoms. In general, influenza A lasts 5 to 8 days.
7. New symptoms in the fall?
"Because the virus influenza A H1N1 is new, we might fear that causes symptoms ... never seen " qoted by a french doctor "Yes, I am not a soothsayer but one can imagine that could fall soon occur greater virulence with mutation of the virus and complications more frequent [pneumonia, meningo-encephalitis]. As to Professor Bernard Debre, a physician and member UMP: "Of course, this virus can mutate and become virulent although for now this is not the view expressed by the majority of virologists." (July 26, 2009-JDD). Conclusion: no need for alarm yet, but remain cautious while respecting their c onseils anti influenza A.
8. How to stem the epidemic?
If you do not feel well, show a high fever, cough and / or sore throat, you should take some preventive measures to avoid contaminating your friends! The first: stay home! The transmission of the virus being by air, leaving you spread it everywhere! If you are forced to go out, wear a mask. Do the same, if you're visiting. Then, it is advised to wash their hands regularly (at least after coughing or sneezing) with soap or alcoholic solution (sold in pharmacies and supermarkets) for 40 to 60 seconds, and cover the mouth and nose with a tissue (disposable after each use) when coughing or sneezing. Finally, regularly ventilate the rooms.
1. Cardiac, diabetic, smokers more at risk ...!
Several risk factors for H1N1 viruses tend to emerge. "To date [July 22, 2009], in addition to known risk situations [...] whose asthma and COPD [chronic pulmonary obstructive], pregnant women and children under 5 years seem more vulnerable to the virus influenza A, "updated by a doctor of the French Society of General Medicine. As for WHO she said on July 24, 2009 that "cardio-vascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer are among the risk factors for severe forms of influenza H1N1 pandemic of 2009." Finally, smokers may be more at risk for the influenza A as cigarette smoke reduces airway defense against external aggressions, including those of the flu.
2. Overweight: greater risk of influenza A?
D of the French Society of General Medicine said"The people of obesity appear to be more sensitive to the virus influenza A H1N1,". The WHO also recalled "high prevalence of obesity has been reported early in very serious cases or deaths by clinicians in Mexico. Again explains: "A recent report has reported: from 10 ventilated patients in ICUs in Michigan (USA), 9 had a BMI ≥ 30 and 7 BMI ≥ 40 [...]. Of the 50 cases fatalities recorded in California, 30 had a BMI ≥ 30. Among them, 11 showed no known risk factors for complications. " Since then, WHO has requested that further studies be conducted to understand the role played by obesity in the severity of the flu.
3. The over 60s are not immune!
According to a study published in June 2009, severe pneumonia and deaths from H1N1 viruses observed in Mexico in April 2009 involved mainly people aged 5 to 59 years. Scientific hypothesis: the more than 60 years would be more likely to have been exposed during their life to a virus similar to H1N1 (eg flu epidemic of 1957), which would have enabled them to generate a protective antibody But ... Dr Patrick Pelloux, emergency physician, said that "the elderly are most at risk from complications of influenza A because they already suffer frequent infections of the heart, kidneys, immune problems ... what with the virus of influenza, leads to superinfection.
4. H1N1: how to recognize symptoms
"No symptoms does differentiates influenza A to influenza seasonal," said a doctor of the French Society of General Medicine. Clearly, the signs that should alert are: fever over 38 ° C and / or stiffness and / or tiredness associated with dry cough and / or respiratory and / or sore throat or runny nose . Even if it's more casual, the virus of influenza A can also cause digestive disorders (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting). "In the elderly, the symptoms are often misleading, but fever and respiratory signs are often absent," said our interlocutor. In case of doubt or symptoms persist more than 48 hours, contact your doctor.
5. Influenza A: When to consult?
"If the temperature is above 39 ° C with general symptoms like headache, body aches, extreme fatigue. If it is associated with respiratory disorders [dyspnea] basithoraciques or pain, or if it is associated with neurological signs, should go see a doctor, "said a doctor of the French Society of General Medicine. Moreover, according to the World Health must in all cases consult a doctor if the fever persists for more than three days. Beware, if you're one of those at risk of virus influenza A (over 65 years, diabetes, cardiovascular disease or lung, respiratory disorders, obesity ...) you must not hesitate to contact your doctor as soon as you experience these symptoms .
6. Should he wear a mask?
Since July 23, 2009, pharmacies issue free prescription masks of projections (called "surgical mask"). However, do not bother to run to your doctor to prescribe you one if you're not sick! Indeed, the wearing of masks is recommended only if we take care of a sick person or if one is ill and we have contacts with people, inside or outside. Do not touch when you wear it and wash your hands after having removed. And take the mask after each use.
