H1N1 Flu Symptoms

August 24th, 2009

With the swine flu or H1N1 flu pandemic, it has shed an enormous amount of light on the flu symptoms. There’s a lot of fear stirring around with the World Health Organization as well as with other countries around the world.

It is not surprising that people everywhere are scrambling to prepare themselves just in case. And to make matters worse, the number of confirmed cases is growing by the hundreds and thousands in nearly every corner of the world.

This type of outbreak can be hard to contain so taking a number of H1N1 flu precautions is necessary, including learning what the H1N1 flu symptoms are. For starters, the difficult part is that there are no very specific symptoms of the H1N1 flu. The swine symptoms mimic the symptoms of your typical flu.

First there is fever or high temperature that affects your body, and the general weakness and lethargic feeling that you get when your immune system is under attack.

The most obvious way to play your part to battle a H1N1 flu outbreak is to wash your hands frequently. And if you see any symptoms like fever, see your doctor immediately. Don’t try to write it of as something unimportant.

But despite all the worry and fears around this H1N1 flu, there is hope as this flu strain seems receptive to antiviral flu treatments of Tamiflu and Relenza which are both recommended by CDC.

It means that there are treatments still effective in combating this infection. The World Health Organization is taking every step to keep the flu pandemic under control.

On your part you can help by taking time to learn and recognize the flu symptom. At this point, to keep the virus from spreading, you must be on your alert at all times to avoid getting the flu spread between people and to try to distinguish the H1N1 flu symptoms from any other kind of flu, cold or illness.

Basically the H1N1 flu symptoms are as follows:

· Sudden Fever

· Excessive Fatigue

· No Appetite

· Excessive Coughing

· Sore Throat

· Diarrhea

· Vomiting/Nausea

Look out for such symptoms and see your doctor or take the anti-viral drugs like Tamiflu early. Keep a close eye on people you come in contact with and avoid crowded areas to protect the health of you and your family during this crucial time in order to avoid contracting this H1N1 virus.

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Swine Flu ( AH1N1 Flu) Info

May 3rd, 2009

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is caused by viruses. Pigs can get influenza (flu) just like human beings, but swine flu viruses are not the same as human flu viruses. As such, swine flu doesn’t often infect people, and very rarely only have infected people who have had direct contact with pigs.

However, the current swine flu outbreak is different. It’s caused by a new strain of swine flu virus that has spread from person to person and it’s happening among people who haven’t had any contact with pigs.

The worry is that pigs are excellent hosts for the virus. And because they are genetically close to humans, they can pass the virus to us more easily than birds can.

What are swine flu symptoms?

Swine flu symptoms are like normal flu symptoms which include fever, sore throat, cough, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

These symptoms are not exactly exclusive to flu but can also be caused by many other conditions. This makes the diagnosis of swine flu extremely difficult if just based on symptoms. It would require a lab test to tell whether it is actually swine flu or some other condition.

In severe cases, it may lead to pneumonia, multi-organ failure, and death. The incubation period for ordinary human flu is two to five days.

How does swine flu spread?

It is likely that the swine flu virus spreads just like normal flu. It can be spread directly from an infected person, or by touching an object they recently touched, and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. That’s why you should make washing your hands a habit. Infected people can start spreading flu germs up to a day before symptoms start, and for up to seven days after getting sick, according to the CDC.

The swine flu virus can become airborne if you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth, sending germs into the air.

The U.S. residents infected with swine flu virus had no direct contact with pigs.

How is swine flu treated?

The new swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza.

Early indications are that patients in Mexico and the US have been successfully treated with the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza. These drugs cannot prevent flu but they can limit its severity, and thus save lives.

The CDC recommends those drugs to prevent or treat swine flu; the drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the start of flu symptoms.

The US government has released 25% of its stockpile of Tamiflu and Relenza to states.

Is there a vaccine against the new swine flu virus?

No. But the CDC and the World Health Organization are already taking the first steps toward making such a vaccine. That’s a lengthy process — it takes months.

I had a flu vaccine this season. Am I protected against swine flu?

No. This season’s flu vaccine wasn’t made with the new swine flu virus in mind; no one saw this virus coming ahead of time.

How can I prevent swine flu infection?

The CDC recommends taking these steps:

* Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

* Avoid close contact with sick people.

* Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Can I still eat pork?

Yes. You can’t get swine flu by eating pork, bacon, or other foods that come from pigs. Cooking destroys the virus.

What else should I be doing?

Keep informed of what’s going on in your community. For instance, parents might want to consider what they would do for their children as far as keeping them away from possible infection like not going to school temporarily.

Don’t panic, but a little planning wouldn’t hurt.

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