Now a day all over the world people are suffering from swine flu so this disease is declared as a pandemic disease. This flu can preventable and successfully treatable by homeopathy medicine. The 2009 flu outbreak in humans is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that derives in part from human influenza, avian influenza, and two separate strains of swine influenza. The origins of this new strain are unknown. It passes with apparent ease from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. The strain in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person makes a full recovery without requiring medical attention and without the use of antiviral medicines.

H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have also reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas.

In the beginning it was difficult to predict the effect of this virus on general population. In seasonal flu, there are certain people who are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. This includes people with 65 years of more age, children below five years, pregnant women, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions.

This virus is contagious but, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people. The symptoms of H1N1 swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with H1N1 swine flu. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and even deaths have been reported with H1N1 swine flu infection. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic diseases.

Homeopaths are singularly confident about treating viral illness, including flu. There is a long history of successful management of serious acute infections with homeopathy, particularly the flu. Homeopathic medicine proved extremely effective in the management of the 1918 flu epidemic, and it will prove itself in any future flu pandemic, just as it does every winter in the treatment of that year’s flu cases. The Spanish flu pandemic was a plague that exceeded the ravages of the Bubonic Plague of 1347 that killed a third of the European population. Worldwide the Spanish flu killed an estimated 40 million people. In some primitive cultures the death rate was 100 percent.

 Fortunately, many patients in the United States had access to homeopathic medical care. A report to the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1921 documented the dramatic success of homeopathy in the worst flu pandemic in history. The death rate of 24,000 flu cases under conventional medical care in that study was 28.2 percent, while the death rate of 26,000 cases treated with homeopathy was a nearly miraculous 1.05 percent. Similarly, many homeopathic physicians each reported treating thousands of patients with very few deaths.

1The most significant flu pandemic occurred in . The global mortality rate from the 1918/1919 pandemic is not known, but is estimated at 2.5 to 5% of those who were infected died. With 20% or more of the world population suffering from the disease to some extent, a case-fatality ratio this high would mean that about 0.5-1% or 50 million to 100 million people worldwide were killed. In , an Asian flu pandemic infected some 45 million Americans and killed 70,000. Eleven years later, lasting from , the Hong Kong flu pandemic afflicted 50 million Americans and caused 33,000 deaths, costing approximately .9 billion. In about 500 soldiers became infected with swine flu over a period of a few weeks.

* Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness, sneezing, coughing
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

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Coughing, Diarrhea, Fever, Headache, Lack of appetite, Lethargy

Muscle aches, Nausea, Runny nose, Sore throat, Vomiting

:

* Pneumonia

* Bronchitis

* Sinus infections

* Ear infections

* Bluish or gray skin colour
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

If the patient has mild flu like symptoms (runny nose and watery eyes etc) but no other peculiar symptom but is anxious if it might be swine flu – think about  Aconitum napellus: This remedy is used for symptoms that come on very quickly and strongly especially at night along with fever and thirst alternating with chills.

If the flu patient is listless, prostrated, indifferent, has offensive diarrhoea and the parts rested upon feel sore and bruised – think about  Baptisia. Influenza with marked gastro-intestinal symptoms may need this remedy, especially when there are present putrid diarrhea stools.

For at least the past 125 years homeopathic practitioners have used the medicine Influenzinum as a flu preventive. Influenzinum is a homeopathic medicine made from flu viruses. A proprietary preparation is produced each year using the flu virus strains recommended by the World Health Organization for the year’s vaccine production. The typical dosage is once per week for four weeks beginning in October or later, followed by another dose three weeks later.

Between the years 1918 and 1957 the preparation of Influenzinum was derived from samples of blood or nasal secretions taken from patients who contracted the flu during the deadly 1918 flu pandemic. Subsequent to 1957 Influenzinum preparations come from a homeopathic preparation of the yearly flu viruses chosen for the flu vaccine.

The two most frequently indicated homeopathic flu medicines over the past 100 years have been Gelsemium and Bryonia. There are significant differences in the symptom pictures of these two medicines that make it easy to decide which is the better fit. They are not the only medicines used to treat the flu, but between them they will probably fit the majority of cases.

: For exhaustion and chills as well as restlessness and anxiety, watery runny nose, frequent sneezing and dry cough. The head feels very warm while the body is chilled

Profuse catarrhal coryza; the nose runs freely, there is sneezing, irritability cough, for when the eyes water and sting, along with frequent

For fever which alternates between sweating and dry periods, flushing of the face, sore throat and swollen tonsils in conjunction with low thirst, pain in the ears and swollen eyelids.

For late night feelings of suffocation, mucous rattling in the lungs, strong frequent cough.

: For runny nose, swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids and lips.

For sudden and strong symptoms which can include fever, hot skin, flushed face and hypersensitivity to light as well as an inflamed sore throat, strong migraine, frequent cough and feeling of cold to the extremities.

For muscle aches, headache, frequent strong cough, stomach pains and a dry mouth with constant thirst.

The trouble here is largely bronchial and going down. When a person is very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, this remedy is likely to be useful. Headache, muscles, aches, and cough or stomach pain may be the major symptoms. Everything feels worse from even the slightest motion. The person’s mouth usually is dry, with a thirst for long cold drinks.

For throat roughness and rawness accompained by pain, hoarseness, evening cough and mucous.

For cough at night or caused by stooping and accompanied by hip pain, painful throat, rattling in the chest, feeling of lack of air when talking or walking.

For tightness of breath, dry cough at night, wheezing and rattling in the chest, hoarseness and raw throat.

For nasal congestion and facial pain especially if the individual has a history of allergies.This is one of our best remedies in the acute form; the eyes are suffused, the throat is sore and the cough hurts because of the muscular soreness. If brought on by damp, cold changes in the weather, so much the surer is Dulcamara indicated. 

For inflamed teary eyes, bouts of sneezing, cough from phlegm collecting in the throat and clear nasal discharge.

For reddened cheeks, migraine, tiredness and fever along with frequent dry cough, powerful thirst and vomiting after meals.

For the later stages when it is hard to clear the throat from viscous stringy phlegm, strong coughing, and pain at the base of the nose.

For middle of the night coughing, hoarseness, sharp jabbing pains on the sides of the chest when breathing deeply.

For forcible cough, especially at night or when breathing deeply, pressure and constriction of the chest.

For swollen lymph nodes, bad breath, tonsil or ear infection, sensitivity to temperature changes and sweating and drooling at night.

For migraine, attenuated sense of taste and smell, cold sores around the mouth, chapped or cracked lips and clear nasal mucous.

For strong chills and nausea, digestive cramping, painful cough and forced breathing along with high fever, hypersensitivity to light, odors and sound.

This one is generally regarded to be the number one product utilized for homeopathic flu remedies. It is widely used in Continental Europe, especially in France.

For roughness and inflammation of the throat with dryness and soreness.

For reddened face, dizzyness, weakness, migraine, sore throat with cough and a strong thirst followed by vomiting.

For thick, greenish yellow mucous, congestion and fever especially in the late evening and night.

For throat irriation, inability to cough up mucous, pains in the centre of the lung which may be accompanied by rawness and burning.

Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and lachrymation on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the pain is worse on empty swallowing; the sneezing is excessive, shaking the whole body. Shudderings, with gooseflesh chills creeping upwards, are also prominent symptoms. Frontal headache, dryness of mouth, without thirst and cough, worse on lying down, are additional symptoms. It suits well many cases of the catarrhal form of flu; other remedies having sneezing are Cyclamen and E Sanguinaria nitrate is especially valuable when the trachea and larynx are affected. Phytolacca. Specific when the throat is inflamed and spotty, with great hardness and tenderness of the glands.

For hoarseness with a feeling of burning or constriction in the throat, dry, frequent coughing, difficulty, and chest weakness.

General confusion of ideas ; inability to concentrate them. Dull sensation in the head, with sharp, darting pains through the vertex, side of face, and lower jaw. Dull, heavy pressure in forehead, and root of nose. Catarrhal headache before the discharge sets in. Burning in eyelids, -with soreness of the ball in closing the lids or turning the eyes.

For long lasting or ongoing symptoms of a searing, hot origin with sweating.

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used

Links : www.drharshadraval.com

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How do I know if I have symptoms of Swine Flu? Are the swine flu symptoms of children the same as H1N1 symptoms adults? Let us know the answer to the question “Do I have symptoms of Swine Flu?”

Swine Flu is a number one health concern the world over. The HI1N1 flu or Swine Flu was first detected in US in April 2009. The worst affected areas initially were Canada and Mexico before swine flu cases began to emerge in other areas of the world. In a short span of four months, the disease has spread to almost all regions in the world. World Health Organization has called H1N1 as pandemic which means a big epidemic that involves the entire country or perhaps the world. Usually, the signs of a pandemic are when a virus without any immunity to stop it, spreads across various parts of the world.

Swine Flu spreads from person to person in the same way as regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. People with high risk for seasonal flu are also at high risk for Swine Flu. For example, people above 65 years of age, pregnant women, children below 5 years of age and those with chronic medical conditions and lifestyle diseases like diabetes are at high risk of getting swine flu.

In children, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Rapid Breathing or Difficulty in breathing.
2. Grayish or Bluish Skin Color
3. Dehydration

4. Persistent of severe vomiting
5. Not able to interact properly with people, become irritable
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever

In adults, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
2. Pain in chest or abdomen
3. Sudden dizziness or loss of energy
4. Severe or continuous vomiting
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever

The symptoms of H1N1 swine flu is similar to the ones that people get in regular, seasonal flu and so things like fever, sneezing, cough, body ache, head ache, shivering, sore throat and fatigue are common. Diarrhea and vomiting are also symptoms that have been associated with some cases of swine flu.

H1N1 Swine Flu is transmitted the same way like seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread usually from person to person through sneezing or coughing by people who have influenza. Some people may become infected with the deadly H1N1 by touching something that has virus on it and then bringing to their nose or mouth

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Infected people can actually infect others from the first day itself, even before they themselves get any symptoms. This means there are also chances that one can pass on the symptoms of swine flu even before she or he knows that she or he is sick.

There is no vaccine that can protect you or be prevention against H1N1 Swine Flu. You can only maintain hygiene and take care to prevent spread of germs that can lead to illnesses like influenza. Here are the ways in which you can prevent yourself against swine flu:

1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you sneeze into it.

2. Wash your hands with a liquid handwash like Dettol or Lifebuoy, especially after you cough or sneeze.

3. Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose. Germs can spread in this manner.

4. Avoid contact with people who are infected with swine flu. This is sad but then the disease is highly infective.

5. If you are sick with influenza, stay at home and do not go to school or work. Limit your contact with people so that they do not get infected.

6. Do not venture into crowded spaces.

7. Increase the airflow in your room by opening the windows for proper ventilation.

8. Sleep well, eat nutritious food and practise healthy habits so that you are physically active and immune to the flu

According to medical experts, the influenza virus can stay on environmental surfaces and infect people from 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on things like door knobs, books etc. Germs of swine flu can spread when a person touches infected areas or infected people and then touches their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Cough droplets or sneeze from an infected person can travel through the area. When a person comes in contact with droplets of sneeze of another person or touches things like books or desk of that person that is contaminated with sneeze droplets, and touches his or her own eyes, mouth, nose etc; before washing hands, one can contract H1N1 virus.

Taking oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) can treat swine flu or H1N1 but they should be taken in the early stages of the disease. Antiviral drugs or prescription medicines can make your immune system strong and keep the flu viruses at bay and stop them from reproducing in your body. So, you should start taking antiviral drugs within two days of getting H1N1 or influenza symptoms.

If you live in places where people have been infected with H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus or have influenza like symptoms mentioned above, then you should stay home and avoid contact with these people. If you develop flu like symptoms, do not leave things to chance and take instant medical care. Your health care provider or doctor will be able to tell you whether H1N1 flu testing is required.

If you are not sick or if you are not living in high risk areas, it is not required to wear a mask. If a near and dear one is sick with H1N1, you need to wear a mask since you will be in close contact with the ill person. Dispose the mask after contact and wash and clean your hands thoroughly. Using the mask correctly is important because using it incorrectly will spread infection.

You cannot tell the difference between HI1N1 Swine Flu and Seasonal Flu without a medical verdict on it. Since symptoms for both the diseases are same like cough, headache, sneezing, fever, runny nose etc, only your doctor will be able to say if you have H1N1 virus. In case, your doctor suspects symptoms, they will have your blood sample, nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) and throat swab to laboratories.

There are no home remedies for swine flu, especially when you have to figure out if it is swine flu or season flu. Swine Flu requires anti-viral drugs because treating it is an emergency issue. However you can prevent the spread of swine flu and strengthen your immune system by doing the following:

Wash your hands properly before having a meal, not just with soap and water. Wear face mask before going outside. If someone is coughing or sneezing near you, cover your nose and mouth with palms or a hanky. Swine flu gets into the body through the mouth and nose. Drink lemon balm tea because it has anti-viral properties. Chew fresh garlic cloves because they have antiviral properties as well. Steam inhalation with chamomile or eucalyptus thrice a day can relieve lung congestion and prevent swine flu symptoms

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(PRWEB) November 13, 2004

The flu shot shortage in the United States has millions of people worrying about getting sick this winter. Many people are under the misconception that a flu shot offers total protection against influenza infection. This is simply not true. As was the case for the 2003-2004 flu season, flu vaccines are often developed using the wrong strain of influenza virus, providing little or no protection to those who get a flu shot.

Fortunately, several effective natural flu prevention techniques exist, as do a handful of natural flu remedies which can help you to stay healthy this winter. Natural flu prevention involves two primary tactics: avoiding the flu virus in the first place and strengthening your immune system so that it can kill the virus before you become sick. Things like washing your hands frequently, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet are just a few of the natural flu prevention tactics every person should be using.

Effective natural flu remedies are based on non-toxic, inexpensive substances that have long been used to “short circuit” viruses and lessen – or even eliminate – flu symptoms. A common household antiseptic and a well-known herbal extract are just two of the tools many people use to fight a flu infection, often with fantastic results.

A new web site, FluHelp.org, offers a simple but useful guide to natural flu prevention techniques and flu remedies. Anyone who wants to learn how to avoid flu germs, strengthen their immune system, and fight off a flu infection is invited to visit this helpful site. FluHelp.org hopes to expand its listing of natural anti-flu strategies and is currently requesting submissions from visitors who have successfully avoided flu infection using safe, natural techniques.

Despite the flu shot shortage – and the fact that the “lucky” few who managed to get a shot probably aren’t fully immune to the virus – most people can significantly decrease their chances of becoming severely ill. Visit FluHelp.org (http://www.fluhelp.org) today to learn about effective flu prevention techniques and safe, natural flu remedies that really work!

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Swine flu cases are set to grow exponentially over the next few months. The chief medical officers have been predicting and warning us all about a flu pandemic for a number of years now. This flu not only brings the same aches and pains but comes with a ‘cytokine storm’ that causes symptoms that may lead to pneumonia. This may be fatal so all asthmatics beware. This time the warnings are real.

In this article I will set out some natural medicines you should be taking to stop getting infected by swine flu and also some remedies to treat it if you do. All of these suggestions are based on modern scientific research. However, if you suspect you have swine flu you must go to your doctor to be on the safe side, especially if you are having breathing difficulties and having chest pain. Best thing overall is to try and make yourself less susceptible. In pandemics like this, large groups of people do not get infected as there are less susceptible.

There are more than 200 viruses that can cause the common cold and flu, and usually the signs of infection strike, 18 to 24 hours after the virus enter the body. So here are some very simple and effective ways of both boosting your immunity so we escape infection and self-treatment if you do catch the swine flu. These will help bring about a quicker recovery. All natural medicine interventions must focus on not only boosting the immune system but rather a balance between stimulating the immunity and reducing the production of cytokines causing a storm and its harmful life threatening effects.

Swine flu is the flu that is causing the latest flu pandemic worldwide. The flu is a respiratory disease that affects pigs. However it is now affecting humans at massive levels. Flu normally affects vulnerable people like the very young and old however swine flu attacks the healthy person – the 18 to 50s section of the world. One disturbing feature of this virus is that it causes a ‘cytokine storm’ in the body. A cytokine is a biochemical that normally responds to infections and directs the immune system. However in swine flu they are over produced causing harm to the body organs and causing fluid to build in the lungs. As well as all the regular flu symptoms such as headaches, aches, pneumonia can also develop as a result of swine flu.

The cytokine storm that is created by the body in response to the swine flu is caused by the swine flu being unaffected by the body’s immune response. This causes an over production of cytokines ( TFN-a and IL-6) by the body. This is what killed many people during the Spanish flu in 1918 in the USA. Foods such as; honey, chocolate, spirulena algae and particularly elderberry need to be avoided as they increase the production of cytokines in the body. Try and drink lots of apple, lemon and cranberry juice who have all shown an ability to decrease cytokine production in the body. . Cut out all mucous forming especially diary foods as the respiratory system is the virus breeding ground.

So it’s not just the virus you have to watch out for it’s actually the cytokine storm. The more people that become aware of this the better for both its treatment and outcomes.

Natural medicine has been practiced for centuries and moreover in the prevention of disease as well as the treatment of it. Over 80% of the world use herbal medicine as the first method of medical treatment. Natural medicine has been used very successfully when there has been a major health crisis taking place. Especially during the Spanish flu epidemic where you had a better survival rate if you went to a homeopathic hospital

The swine flu virus needs neurominidase enzyme in order to replicate. An enzyme is a biological catalyst. The first thing you must do is to decrease you susceptibility to the virus. In order to do this a vitamin and mineral supplement is necessary as part of your diet. Drink the juices of apple, lemon and cranberry juice. Vitamin C and vitamin E has been shown to reduce flu virus loads and also a reduction in cytokines by blocking neurominidase. Green tea has also a very good effect in reduction of cytokine production.

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You should also be taking a proper vitamin and mineral supplement to guard you against flu and also a whole load of other diseases. However this vitamin and minerals you should be taking must be in a food form and not isolated synthetic chemical like ascorbic acid that is sold internationally as vitamin C. The real nutrients that you are looking for can be found at StarGate Nutrition Vitamin website. All their nutrients are in a nature form that your body will understand. They provide the full spectrum of required vitamins and minerals. You should be focusing on lemon juice for vitamin C and also to alkalize your blood to make it more inhabitable for the swine flu virus. The mineral zinc needs to be also consumed and the best way is by eating oysters and sunflower seeds which are foods naturally high in these minerals.

Popular for years in Asia with over 250,000 doctors qualified as homeopathy in India alone, homeopathy has recently become Europe’s fastest growing form of alternative medicine. Last year sales of homeopathic medicines in Europe topped £3billion. Debate about how it scientifically works are heated, but most Europeans are now going to a homeopath as their first course of treatment and 20 per cent of Scottish GPs currently practice the specialty. Many scientific studies have been carried out to proves its efficacy medically and especially in flu outbreaks such as this.

Critics of homeopathy say that the medicine is no more than the placebo effect psychological factors causing improvement unrelated to drug therapy. However, Dr David Reilly of The Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital led a team of scientists who compared placebo and homeopathy in four trials conducted over 15 years in patients with allergies such as hayfever and asthma. All four studies showed a greater effect from the homeopathic medicine than from the placebo. Overall there have been over 200 trials and over 70 per cent of these conclude that homeopathy is better than placebo. Private European insurers cover homeopathic treatments, and The World Health Organisation recommends them. A few years ago Spain took an initiative to incorporate homeopathy into its national health service.

A report to the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1921 documented the dramatic success of homeopathy in the worst flu pandemic in history. The death rate of 24,000 flu cases under conventional medical care in that study was 28.2 percent, while the death rate of 26,000 cases treated with homeopathy was a nearly miraculous 1.05 percent.

When a similar strain of bird flu, misleadingly termed Spanish Flu, spread around the world in 1918, there is no doubt that it had catastrophic consequences. 50 million people died.  Nevertheless, American hospital statistics from the time show that .  The statistics are reported in Randall Neustaedter’s excellent book “Flu:  Alternative Treatments and Prevention”.

For at least the past 150 years homeopathic practitioners have used the medicine Influenzinum as a flu preventive. Influenzinum is a homeopathic medicine made from flu viruses. A proprietary preparation is produced by homeopathic pharmacies each year using the flu virus strains recommended by the World Health Organization for the year’s vaccine production (Dolivaxil – containing Influenzinum 9C). The typical dosage is once per week for four weeks beginning in October or later, followed by another dose three weeks later.

You should have Gelsemium 30c in your house and take when someone sneezes in a bus or your office. This can stop the virus taking root in the body and acts as a preventative.

The first medicine used in France to treat flu is Oscillococcinum made by Boiron and sells 7 million euros annually. Boiron was bought recently by the Bayer group.

This remedy recently toped pharmacy sales list and sales in the US alone are in the region of £20 million. A course costs of Oscillococcinum costs £6, which is used regularly by 5 million French for the prevention of colds and flu’s every year. Lets face it five million French can’t be wrong?

Oscillococcinum was first studied in France during the 1987 flu epidemic caused by an H1N1 virus similar to the bird flu of today. This multi-centre study examined the effect of Oscillococcinum (200C) on the early symptoms of flu. Results were published in the peer-reviewed British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. More patients in the treatment group recovered completely in the first 48 hours than the control group (17 percent of patients with active treatment compared to 10 percent of controls). More patients in the treatment group also judged the treatment as favorable compared to the placebo, 61 percent vs 49 percent (Ferley, 1989).

In 1990 German scientists replicated the French study of Oscillococcinum. They used the same criteria as the previous study and enrolled 372 patients. After 48 hours of treatment with Oscillococcinum the treatment group had considerably milder symptoms than the control group, and the number of patients with no symptoms from day two onward was significantly greater in the treatment group (17.4 percent) compared to the control group (6.6 percent) (Papp, 1998).

Both of these studies show a significant curative effect of a homeopathic medicine in the treatment of flu in carefully conducted, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Conventional antiviral drugs reduce the duration of flu by about one day if taken within the first 48 hours of illness (Cooper, 2003). These studies shows that homeopathy carries the potential to make a dramatic difference in any flu epidemic without the risk of drug side effects.

However, is anyone planning to stockpile homeopathic medicines proven to effectively treat the flu for over one hundred years?

Many people might be reaching for the herbal remedy called Echinacea to treat their swine flu or prevent it by boosting the immune system. Stop. In swine flu treatment Echinacea will cause the production of cytokines which will further damage your body.

The best herbs to use during this flu are St Johns Worth which is a potent antiviral as well as a famous antidepressant. The herbs adaptogenic qualities may help the body adapt to the cytokine storm making it have less an impact.

Turmeric, the spice, has an ability to be more powerful the pharmaceutical cox-2 inhibitors. Turmeric works in swine flu by blocking the production of cytokines. One herb I have been personally using over the past few years is Goldenseal which reduces colds and flu’s symptoms quite dramatically. Very little is written about it. Garlic is essential to include in your diet and has an affinity for the lungs as a herb. This can assist in blocking the development of pneumonia and reduce any lung infection by taking at least one clove mashed a day. Parsley will reduce the odour if you need it.

Tea tree essential oil from Australia that is very popular world wide is really important in terms of it being the only essential oil that is anti – viral bacterial and fungal. Lavender is very useful in the production of white blood cells. Tea tree oil may reduce the viral load causing a reduction in cytokine load.

Natural bacteria in the gut are essential to maintaining proper health and digestive functioning. Antibiotics not only kill the organisms that cause colds and flu’s but also kill the good gut bacteria. In order to reintroduce the effects of the bacteria you reintroduce them by eating bioactive yoghurts made with strains of gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus. This may also help to reduce any thrush symptoms caused from antibiotics.

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1Rathore K.S., 1Chauhan Priyanka, 1Sharma Surabhi, 1Rathore Savita, 1Vinod Kanwar, 2Nema R.K., 3Sisodia S.S.

1B.N.Girls College of Pharmacy, Udaipur-Raj.313002

2Rishiraj College of Pharmacy, Indore-Mp

3BN Pg College of Pharmacy, Udaipur

kamalsrathore@yahoo.com;mobile:+919828325713

Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease caused by viruses (influenza viruses known as H1N1) that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in nasal secretions, a barking-like cough, decreased appetite, and listless behavior. Swine flu produces most of the same symptoms in pigs as human flu produces in people. Swine flu can last about one to two weeks in pigs that survive. Swine influenza virus was first isolated from pigs in 1930 in the U.S. and has been recognized by pork producers and veterinarians to cause infections in pigs worldwide.

In a number of instances, people have developed the swine flu infection when they are closely associated with pigs (for example, farmers, pork processors), and likewise, pig populations have occasionally been infected with the human flu infection. In most instances, the cross-species infections (swine virus to man; human flu virus to pigs) have remained in local areas and have not caused national or worldwide infections in either pigs or humans. Unfortunately, this cross-species situation with influenza viruses has had the potential to change.

Investigators think the 2009 swine flu strain, first seen in Mexico, should be termed novel since it is mainly found infecting people and exhibits two main surface antigens, and . Recent investigations show the eight RNA strands from novel H1N1 flu have one strand derived from human flu strains, two from avian (bird) strains, and five from swine strains.

Influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is an illness caused by RNA viruses that infect the respiratory tract of many animals, birds, and humans. In most people, the infection results in the person getting fever, cough, headache, and malaise (tired, no energy); some people also may develop a sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The majority of individuals has symptoms for about one to two weeks and then recovers with no problems. However, compared with most other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza (flu) infection can cause a more severe illness with a mortality rate (death rate) of about 0.1% of people who are infected with the virus.

In 1976, there was an outbreak of swine flu at Fort Dix. This virus is not the same as the 2009 outbreak, but it was similar insofar as it was an influenza A virus that had similarities to the swine flu virus. There was one death at Fort Dix. The government decided to produce a vaccine against this virus, but the vaccine was associated with neurological complications (Guillain-Barré syndrome) and was discontinued. Some individuals speculate that formalin, used to inactivate the virus, may have played a role in the development of this complication in 1976.

There is no evidence that anyone who obtained this vaccine would be protected against the 2009 swine flu. One of the reasons it takes a few months to develop a new vaccine is to test the vaccine for safety to avoid the complications seen in the 1976 vaccine. New vaccines against any flu virus type are usually made by growing virus particles in eggs. A serious side effect (allergic reaction such as swelling of the airway) to vaccines can occur in people who are allergic to eggs; these people should not get flu vaccines. Individuals with active infections or diseases of the nervous system are also not recommended to get flu vaccines.

Swine flu is caused by The H1N1 or “swine flu” virus, which first appeared in April 2009, has gone on to become a worldwide “pandemic.” H1N1 influenza is a virus that causes illness in people and spreads from one person to another in the same way as the common flu. Detected first in April 2009 in Mexico, the disease soon spread across different countries in the world and was declared the swine flu pandemic by the World Health Organization in June 2009. After conducting several laboratory tests, it was determined that the virus responsible for swine influenza was similar to those found in pigs, thus prompting scientists to name it the swine (pig) flu.

Illness caused by the swine flu virus ranges from mild to extreme in different cases. While many of the patients have recovered even without medical treatment, the virus has also caused a number of deaths as well as hospitalizations, which has made it a matter of grave concern for the authorities. Any person, irrespective of age or sex can contract the disease but the risk seems bigger in children and old age people as also in people with lower immunity levels, pregnant women and people suffering from heart disease, kidney ailment or asthma. A person displaying swine flu symptoms should consult a medical practitioner immediately and get himself tested.

Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder, was an identified risk with swine flu vaccines used in the United States in 1976 – it is thought that one extra case of GBS occurred with every 100,000 doses of vaccine. The reason why the 1976 vaccine increased the risk of GBS remains unknown. Many studies have looked at whether other flu vaccines used since 1976 carry a risk of GBS and no robust evidence of a causal link has been found. No cases of GBS have been found in the clinical trials of H5N1 vaccines.

Most illnesses caused by the swine flu epidemic were of a mild nature and patients recovered even without or with very little medication required. However, recently the virus has caused a lot of panic after a number of deaths were reported. The swine flu virus is extremely contagious and spreads through coughing and sneezing or when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches his nose or mouth. The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to those of the seasonal flu such as high fever, runny nose, loss of appetite, cough, sore throat etc.

Persons with swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days following illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days after illness onset should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. The duration of infectiousness might vary by swine influenza A (H1N1) virus strain. Non-hospitalized ill persons who are a confirmed or suspected case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection are recommended to stay at home (voluntary isolation) for at least the first 7 days after illness onset except to seek medical care.

Swine flu viruses may mutate (change) so that they are easily transmissible among humans. Many researchers now consider that two main series of events can lead to swine flu (and also avian or bird flu) becoming a major cause for influenza illness in humans.

First, the influenza viruses (types A, B, C) are enveloped RNA viruses with a segmented genome; this means the viral RNA genetic code is not a single strand of RNA but exists as eight different RNA segments in the influenza viruses. A human (or bird) influenza virus can infect a pig respiratory cell at the same time as a swine influenza virus; some of the replicating RNA strands from the human virus can get mistakenly enclosed inside the enveloped swine influenza virus. For example, one cell could contain eight swine flu and eight human flu RNA segments. The total number of RNA types in one cell would be 16; four swine and four human flu RNA segments could be incorporated into one particle, making a viable eight RNA segmented flu virus from the 16 available segment types.

Various combinations of RNA segments can result in a new subtype of virus (known as antigenic shift) that may have the ability to preferentially infect humans but still show characteristics unique to the swine influenza virus. It is even possible to include RNA strands from birds, swine, and human influenza viruses into one virus if a cell becomes infected with all three types of influenza (for example, two bird flu, three swine flu, and three human flu RNA segments to produce a viable eight-segment new type of flu viral genome). Formation of a new viral type is considered to be antigenic shift; small changes in an individual RNA segment in flu viruses are termed antigenic drift and result in minor changes in the virus. However, these can accumulate over time to produce enough minor changes that cumulatively change the virus’ antigenic makeup over time (usually years).

Second, pigs can play a unique role as an intermediary host to new flu types because pig respiratory cells can be infected directly with bird, human, and other mammalian flu viruses. Consequently, pig respiratory cells are able to be infected with many types of flu and can function as a “mixing pot” for flu RNA segments. Bird flu viruses, which usually infect the gastrointestinal cells of many bird species, are shed in bird feces. Pigs can pick these viruses up from the environment and seem to be the major way that bird flu virus RNA segments enter the mammalian flu virus population.

Children should get urgent medical attention if they have fast breathing or trouble breathing, have bluish or gray skin color, are not drinking enough fluid, are not waking up or not interacting, have severe or persistent vomiting, are so irritable that the child doesn’t want to be held, have flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and a worse cough, have fever with a rash, or have fever and then have a seizure or sudden mental or behavioral change. Adults should seek urgent medical attention if they have trouble breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting, or flu-like symptoms that improve, but then come back with worsening fever or cough.

Swine flu or the H1N1 virus is a type A influenza, which is normally reported in pigs and has rarely affected humans in the past. A few cases that had been reported in people, who had been around pigs, over the past few years, were of a mild nature. However, in April 2009, swine flu started to affect thousands of persons around the world, just days after being reported in a Mexican village, and thus prompted the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic.

It is advisable to avoid travelling to affected countries and stay away from crowded places. The easily available swine flu mask can also protect from the virus. While there are no vaccines available that can guard against swine flu, certain precautions can ensure protection from this deadly disease.

Swine flu high risk groups, people who are thought to be at risk for serious, life-threatening infections, are a little different and can include:

pregnant women people with chronic medical problems, such as chronic lung disease, like asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression children and adults with obesity

It is already known that you are particularly at risk if you have:

chronic (long-term) lung disease, chronic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease), immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment) or diabetes mellitus.

Also at risk are:

patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years, pregnant women, people aged 65 and older, and young children under five. It is vital that people in these higher-risk groups who catch swine flu get antivirals and start taking them as soon as possible.

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One of the most common complications of any type of flu is a secondary bacterial chest infection, such as bronchitis (infection of the airways).This can become serious and develop into pneumonia. A course of antibiotics will usually cure this, but the infection sometimes becomes life-threatening. Other rare complications include:

tonsillitis, otitis media (a build-up of fluid in the ear), septic shock (infection of the blood that causes a severe drop in blood pressure), meningitis (infection in the brain and spinal cord), and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

As the H1N1 Influenza spreads its wings over different parts of the globe, it is extremely important to be familiar with the symptoms of swine flu so that the disease can be detected at an early stage and preventive measures can be taken to check its rise.

If you or any of the persons around you are suffering from fever in excess of 100.4 °F as well as any of the other below mentioned H1N1 influenza symptoms, then you may have contracted swine flu.

The most common of all swine flu symptoms is high body temperature, in excess of 38 °C/100.4 °F. Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease caused by viruses (influenza viruses) that infect the respiratory tract of pigs and result in nasal secretions, a barking-like cough, decreased appetite, and listless behavior. Headache Loss of appetite Stinging throat Runny nose Extreme tiredness (fatigue) Aching muscles dyspnea chills Loss of energy, vomiting Diarrhea myalgia influenza-like illness (fever, cough or sore throat) mild respiratory illness (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea) without fever and occasional severe disease also has been reported Conjunctivitis Sudden, persistent cough

While these symptoms can be considered an indication of swine flu, the symptoms have also been reported in people suffering from other diseases. Therefore, despite having these symptoms, the patient or the doctor cannot be sure of swine flu until the test reports confirm the same. The disease is especially dangerous for children, where it can result in neurological disorders or alterations in the state of mind. It is still not clear why the situation occurs, but if not treated, it can prove to be fatal.

As with any sort of flu, how bad the symptoms are and how long they last will vary depending on treatment and individual circumstances. Most cases reported in the UK to date have been relatively mild, with affected people starting to recover within a week.

You can go back to school or work when you are feeling well and are no longer infectious. Adults are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms and remain infectious while their symptoms continue, which is usually for up to five days. They can normally return to work within seven days. In children, symptoms continue for up to seven days and they can normally return to school within 10 days.

Swine flu is presumptively diagnosed clinically by the patient’s history of association with people known to have the disease and their symptoms listed above. Usually, a quick test (for example, nasopharyngeal swab sample) is done to see if the patient is infected with influenza A or B virus. Most of the tests can distinguish between A and B types. The test can be negative (no flu infection) or positive for type A and B. If the test is positive for type B, the flu is not likely to be swine flu (H1N1). If it is positive for type A, the person could have a conventional flu strain or swine flu (H1N1). However, the accuracy of these tests has been challenged, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not completed their comparative studies of these tests. However, a new test developed by the CDC and a commercial company reportedly can detect H1N1 reliably in about one hour; as of October 2009, the test is only available to the military.

Swine flu (H1N1) is definitively diagnosed by identifying the particular antigens associated with the virus type. In general, this test is done in a specialized laboratory and is not done by many doctors’ offices or hospital laboratories. However, doctors’ offices are able to send specimens to specialized laboratories if necessary. Because of the large number of novel H1N1 swine flu cases (as of October 2009, the vast majority of flu cases [about 99%] are due to novel H1N1 flu viruses), the CDC recommends only hospitalized patients’ flu virus strains be sent to reference labs to be identified.

Swine flu spreads through an infected person’s secretion released at the time of sneezing or coughing. People with symptoms of swine flu can pass on the disease to others from one day before to seven days after getting the infection. The virus can also contaminate surfaces and infect a healthy person if he happens to touch his nose or mouth after touching the dirty surface.

Swine flu or the H1N1 virus is a disease that has spread in a large number of countries around the world in a very short span of time. It is the alarming rate with which the disease spreads that has worried experts, who are trying to check its rise. Swine flu symptoms are a lot like the symptoms of seasonal flu, which makes it extremely difficult to distinguish between the two without carrying out prescribed swine flu tests in the laboratories set-up especially for the purpose.

Simply by following the simple guidelines here, you should at least lessen your chances of becoming sick with Swine Flu. Like in the case of seasonal flu, the below mentioned precautions can help protect you against the H1N1 virus:

Avoid going near people with swine flu symptoms. Avoid going to crowded places. Cover your mouth and nose properly with a tissue while sneezing or coughing and dispose off the infected tissue in a proper way, away from the reach of other people. It is recommended to get a seasonal flu vaccination. Though it may not prevent you from swine flu, it won’t do any harm. Keep good hygiene and wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water. It is advisable to use an alcohol based hand wash. Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, for at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water. Get enough sleep -Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape. Drink sufficient water-Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses. Sick people should stay home to avoid passing on the disease to others. Always wear the swine flu mask when travelling to crowded places. Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully. Cleaning hard surfaces, such as door handles, often and thoroughly using a normal cleaning product. Carry anti-viral medicines with you. If you feel sick or show any of the swine flu symptoms, consult your doctor immediately and get yourself tested for the virus. Boost your immune system-Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits. Keep informed-The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner. Do not risk it. If you are experiencing influenza like symptoms, simply stay home. Since these symptoms mirror regular cold and influenza symptoms, it is better to be safe than sorry. Find out how to cough and sneeze. Here’s the deal – cough or sneeze into the interior of your elbow on your arm. This is the only way to keep from spreading germs to your hands and to everything you touch.  A little hand sanitizer goes a long, long way. Simply have a tube of hand sanitizer with you at all time. This way you can continually clean your hands.  Be wary of public places. Door handles and even ink pens are breeding grounds for germs. Avoid touching them at all costs.  Be cautious on airplanes, trains and buses. The close quarters of an aeroplane is a place where germs like the swine flu pathogen lurk so protect yourself. Wash your vegetables and fruit entirely. Purchase your vegetables and vegetables locally if you can. Wash them with water and soak them to extend the effectiveness.  Go to your doctor. If you are experiencing any flu like symptoms you should see your doctor at once. As stated earlier, only your health practitioner can diagnose your particular strain of the flu.

– Don’t panic

Although swine flu has been spreading at a rapid pace in India as well as in most other countries of the world, it must be remembered that swine flu is a curable disease and can be effectively cured if treated properly. As is the case in seasonal flu, the treatment of swine flu includes-

Proper rest and care. A swine flu patient must not be involved in too much strenuous work and Should drink plenty of liquids to keep himself hydrated. Alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited for swine flu patients and medicines such as paracetamol can be taken to get relief from fever and muscle pain. In extreme cases, antiviral drugs and hospitalization may be required. The best way, however, to avoid any emergency situation is to contact your doctor immediately if you suspect of having swine flu. If you happen to recently travel to an infected region or have been around those infected with the virus, then contact your doctor and take all preventive steps to ensure your safety. Remember, early detection will lead to proper treatment being administered and could mean the difference between life and death. Keep the patient in a separate room, away from other members of the household. Everyone in the house should wash their hands regularly and wear a mask while going near the patient. The members of the house should also take antiviral drugs such as tamiflu, if the doctor prescribes it. Children should not be given medicines such as aspirin for its tendency to cause neurological disorders.

Although no swine flu vaccine is available in the market to ensure safety against the disease, certain medicines, which can cure the disease, are available. This virus is resistant to the antiviral medications amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine). There are 2 medications in the market that have been shown to be effective against swine flu . These medicines have to be administered within 2 days of the onset of symptoms (which last about a week), and are said to shorten the duration of symptoms by about 2 days. Because early detection is vital for the efficacy of these drugs, rapid detection is necessary. Many manufacturers are currently working on versions of a rapid swine flu test to allow early detection in minutes, as opposed to days as is with traditional virus testing.

To reproduce and spread, a virus has to enter your body, take over healthy cells and force them to make copies of itself. Relenza stops the release of new copies of the virus from infected cells in the lungs. This slows the spread of the virus, reduces the symptoms and length of time that you feel unwell for and makes it harder for the virus to spread to other people. Relenza should first be taken within 48 hours of symptoms appearing in adults (36 hours in children). It works better the earlier you start taking it.

To reproduce and spread, a virus has to enter your body, take over healthy cells and force them to make copies of it. Tamiflu stops the flu virus entering your cells and blocks the release of new copies of the virus. This slows the spread through your body, reduces the symptoms and the length of time that you feel unwell for and makes it harder for the virus to spread to other people. Tamiflu should first be taken within 12 to 48 hours of symptoms appearing. It works better the earlier you start taking it.

Relenza reduces the duration of flu symptoms by one-and-a-half days on average. Tamiflu reduces the duration of symptoms by up to two days.

The best way to prevent novel H1N1 swine flu would be the same best way to prevent other influenza infections, and that is vaccination. The CDC has multiple recommendations for vaccination based on who should obtain the first doses when the vaccine becomes available (to protect the most susceptible populations) and according to age groups. The CDC based the recommendations on data obtained from vaccine trials and infection reports gathered over the last few months. The current (October 2009) vaccine recommendations from the CDC say the following groups should get the vaccine as soon as it is available:

pregnant women, people who live with or provide care for children younger than 6 months of age, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, people between 6 months and 24 years of age, and

People from the ages of 25 through 64 who are at higher risk because of chronic health disorders such as asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.

Currently, the CDC is stating that people ages 10 and above are likely to need only one vaccine shot to provide protection against novel H1N1 swine flu and further suggest that these shots will be effective in about 76% of people who obtain the vaccine. New vaccine trial data showed that healthy adults produce protective antibodies in about 98% of people in 21 days. Unfortunately, the vaccine shot in children ages 6 months to 9 years of age is not as effective as it is in older children and adults. Consequently, the CDC currently recommends that for ages 6 months up to and including 9 years of age, the children obtain two shots of the novel H1N1 vaccine, the second shot 21 days after the first shot.

Pregnant women are strongly suggested to get vaccinated as stated above. Although some vaccine preparations (multidose vials) contain low levels of thimerosal preservative (a mercury-containing preservative), the CDC still considers the vaccine safe for the fetus and mother. However, some vaccine preparations that are in single-dose vials will not have thimerosal preservative, so those pregnant individuals who are concerned about thimerosal can get this vaccine preparation when it is available.

Another type of vaccine (currently named Influenza A [H1N1] 2009 Monovalent Vaccine Live, Intranasal) has been made available during the first week in October 2009. It is a live attenuated novel H1N1 flu vaccine that contains no thimerosal, is produced by MedImmune, LLC, and is sprayed into the nostrils. This vaccine is only for healthy people 2-49 years of age, and some data suggest that it is less effective in generating an immune response in adults than the vaccine injection. The dosing schedule is as follows:

Children 2-9 years of age should receive two doses (0.1 ml in each nostril; total equals 0.2 ml per dose) — the second dose should be given the same way about one month after the first dose Children, adolescents and adults, 10-49 years of age should receive one dose — (0.1 ml in each nostril; total equals 0.2 ml per dose)

The following is a list of the CDC-approved H1N1 vaccines and the companies that name and manufacture them as of 10/29/09:

Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine by CSL Limited Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine by Novartis Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine by Sanofi Pasteur Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine Live, Intranasal by MedImmune, LLC

The following vaccination schedule is recommended in the UK:

For all children aged from six months to nine years: – two half doses (0.25ml each) given with a minimum of three weeks between doses. For individuals aged 10-59: – one dose (0.5ml) given. For individuals aged 60 years and over: – one dose given (this advice will be reviewed when more data become available). For individuals aged 10 years and over with weakened immune systems:- two doses (0.5ml each) given with a  minimum of three weeks between doses.

For children aged from six months and adults:- two doses (0.5ml each) given with a  minimum of three weeks between doses.  This dosage schedule is based on advice given by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, following consideration of clinical data available on the vaccines. The dosage and recommendations will be kept under review as more clinical data become available.

For interviews of healthy individuals (i.e. without a current respiratory illness), including close contacts of cases of confirmed swine influenza virus infection, no personal protective equipment or antiviral chemoprophylaxis is needed. See section on antiviral chemoprophylaxis for further guidance. For interviews of an ill, suspected or confirmed swine influenza A virus case, the following is recommended:

Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from the ill person; or Personal protective equipment: fit-tested N95 respirator [if unavailable, wear a medical (surgical mask)].

For collecting respiratory specimens from an ill confirmed or suspected swine influenza A virus case, the following is recommended:

Personal protective equipment: fit-tested disposable N95 respirator [if unavailable, wear a medical (surgical mask)], disposable gloves, gown, and goggles. When completed, place all PPE in a biohazard bag for appropriate disposal. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel.

Recommended Infection Control for a non-hospitalized patient (ER, clinic or home visit):

Separation from others in single room if available until asymptomatic. If the ill person needs to move to another part of the house, they should wear a mask. The ill person should be encouraged to wash hand frequently and follow respiratory hygiene practices. Cups and other utensils used by the ill person should be thoroughly washed with soap and water before use by other persons.

When crowded settings or close contact with others cannot be avoided, the use of facemasks or respirators in areas where transmission of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has been confirmed should be considered as follows:

Whenever possible, rather than relying on the use of facemasks or respirators, close contact with people who might be ill and being in crowded settings should be avoided. Facemasks should be considered for use by individuals who enter crowded settings, both to protect their nose and mouth from other people’s coughs and to reduce the wearers’ likelihood of coughing on others; the time spent in crowded settings should be as short as possible. Respirators should be considered for use by individuals for whom close contact with an infectious person is unavoidable. This can include selected individuals who must care for a sick person (e.g., family member with a respiratory infection) at home.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “facemasks” refers to disposable masks cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as medical devices. This includes facemasks labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, or laser masks.

Such facemasks have several designs-

One type is affixed to the head with two ties, conforms to the face with the aid of a flexible adjustment for the nose bridge, and may be flat/pleated or duck-billed in shape. Another type of facemask is pre-molded, adheres to the head with a single elastic band, and has a flexible adjustment for the nose bridge. A third type is flat/pleated and affixes to the head with ear loops. Facemasks cleared by the FDA for use as medical devices have been determined to have specific levels of protection from penetration of blood and body fluids. Unless otherwise specified, “respirator” refers to an or higher filtering facepiece respirator certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Take note of what you’ve learned here about the swine flu. Look after yourself and protect yourself as best as you possibly can.

Adiego SB, Omenaca TM, Martinez CS, et al. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1), Aragon, Spain, November 2008. Eurosurveill 2009 Feb 19;14(7). Bean B, Moore BM, Sterner B, et al. Survival of influenza viruses on environmental surfaces. J Infect Dis 1982 Jul;146(1):47-51. Brankston G, Gitterman L, Hirji Z, et al. Transmission of influenza A in human beings. Lancet Infect Dis 2007 Apr;7(4):257-65. Bridges CB, Kuehnert MJ, Hall CB. Transmission of influenza: implications for control in healthcare settings. Clin Infect Dis 2003 Oct 15;37(8):1094-1101. Faix DJ, Sherman SS, Waterman, SH. Rapid-test sensitivity for novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus in humans. N Engl J Med 2009 (published online Jun 29). Garten RJ, Davis CT, Russell CA, et al. Antigenic and genetic characteristics of swine-origin 2009 A (H1N1) influenza viruses circulating in humans. Science 2009 May 22; early online publication [Abstract] Gaydos JC, Top FH, Hodder AR, et al. Swine influenza A outbreak, Fort Dix, New Jersey, 1976. Emerg Infect Dis 2006;12(1):23-28. Gani R, Hughes H, Fleming D, et al. Potential impact of antiviral drug use during influenza pandemic. Emerg Infect Dis 2009;11(9):1355-62. Lekcharoensuk P, Lager KM, Vemulapalli R, et al. Novel swine influenza virus subtype H3N1, United States. Emerg Infect Dis 2006 May 12(5):787-94 . Myers KP, Olsen CW, Gray GC. Cases of swine influenza in humans: a review of the literature. Clin Infect Dis 2007;44:1084–8. Nava GM, Attene-Ramos MS, Ang JK, et al. Origins of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus; time to take action. Eurosurveillance 2009 June 4;14(22). Newman AP, Reisdorf E, Beinemann J, et al. Human case of swine influenza A (H1N1) triple reassortant virus infection, Wisconsin. Emerg Infect Dis 2008;14(9):1470-2. Taubenberger JK, Reid AH, Lourens RM, et al. Characterization of the 1918 influenza virus polymerase genes. (Letter) Nature 2005;437(7060):889-93. Taunbenberger JK, Morens DM. 1918 influenza: the mother of all pandemics. Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Jan;12(1):15-22. Tellier R. Review of aerosol transmission of influenza A virus. Emerg Infect Dis 2006 Nov;12(11). Van Reeth K, Nicoll A. A human case of swine influenza virus infection in Europe—implications for human health and research. Euro Surveill 2009 Feb 19;14(7) pii. Vaillant L, La Ruche G, Tarantola A, et al. Epidemiology of fatal cases associated with pandemic H1N1 influenza 2009. (Rapid Communications) Eurosurveill 2009 Aug 20;14(33):pii. Webster RG, Bean WJ, Gorman OT, et al. Evolution and ecology of influenza A viruses. Microbiol Rev Mar 1992;56(1):152-79. Zimmer SM, Burke DS. Historical perspective—emergence of influenza A (H1N1) viruses. N Engl J Med 2009 Jul 16;361(3):279-85.

Technorati Tags: prevention, Swine, Symptoms, Treatment

Van Nuys, CA (Vocus) March 2, 2009

Nationwide Medical/Surgical, a distributor of the flu vaccine and flu vaccine supplies has unveiled their annual 2009 list of what to do if exposed to the flu virus.

The flu is a highly contagious disease known as the influenza virus. It infects the respiratory tract and the virus can range from mild to very severe and in some cases can be fatal. As a matter of fact, the Center for Disease Control reports that over 30,000 people die each year due to the influenza virus. The best way to avoid the flu virus is to get an annual flu vaccination. The flu vaccine works by introducing either weakened or dead versions of the flu virus to the body, so that it can create the proper immunities or antibodies to the virus. If there is a future exposure to the virus, the body will have the proper measures in place to fight it off.

Unfortunately, there is no guarantee against getting the flu. Even if one does get the flu shot, it is still possible (although less likely) to become infected with the influenza virus. If one becomes ill, there are several measures one can take to lessen the severity of the flu.

The most important thing to do if one gets the flu is to rest at home. It is important to get ample sleep and to drink plenty of liquids. Sleeping helps the body spend its energy fighting the illness and drinking liquids helps the body avoid dehydration that can come quicker due to the influenza virus. Hand washing is highly encouraged to avoid passing on the flu virus.

There are several over the counter medicines that can help combat flu symptoms including pain medications. There are also anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu that a doctor can prescribe. In an effort to lessen the severity of flu symptoms it is important to call the doctor when one begins to feel these symptoms coming on so that the proper medications can be prescribed.

Usually the flu does not require a visit to the doctor unless one experiences chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever that lasts more than 2 days, vomiting, or persistent coughing or headaches. These symptoms can be a sign that the body is not effectively fighting the flu virus. Following these tips will help fight off the flu virus.

Nationwide Medical/Surgical has been distributing the influenza vaccine to physicians, hospitals and other mass immunizers since 1996. To find out more about flu vaccine and other ways to help deal with the flu virus, please visit http://www.nationwidemedical.net .

CONTACT:

Dan Blatt

14141 Covello Street, Suite 6C

(800) 997-8846

Van Nuys, CA 91405

Website: http://www.nationwidemedical.net

danblatt (at) nationwidemedical (dot) net

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Technorati Tags: help, Infected, Influenza, Medical/Surgical, Nationwide, Reveals, Sheet, Their, Those, Virus

Every flu season is unique. Different strains circulate each year, and consumer demand changes as well. This year, even flu vaccination guidelines have changed; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging all people 6 months and older to schedule an annual flu shot. And since flu season can stretch well into early spring, now is still a good time to plan flu clinics and buy flu vaccine.

This year’s seasonal flu vaccine offers protection against the H1N1 pandemic strain, giving consumers further motivation for compliance. There is also a new high-dose flu vaccine for those who are age 65 and older. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people 65 and older account for about 90 percent of the deaths from flu-related causes each year. This new high-dose flu vaccine will help protect this vulnerable group, and ultimately save lives. Healthcare providers are encouraged to buy the new high dose flu vaccine for seniors.

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In 2006, FFF Enterprises, the nation’s largest and most trusted influenza vaccine distributor, launched an innovative program-MyFluVaccine (www.MyFluVaccine.com) – to make it easier for healthcare providers to buy the flu vaccine they need. With MyFluVaccine, customers can choose from a broad portfolio of products from the top vaccine manufacturers. The ordering process is streamlined and simple: Customers pick their delivery date(s), select their vaccine quantities, and MyFluVaccine delivers. MyFluVaccine also offers a flu vaccine price guarantee – so there are no unwelcome surprises later.

Customers who buy flu vaccine from this program do so through its easy online ordering portal. The website provides news, updates, resources and clinic planning tools, plus dedicated informational sections for consumers, employer groups, and providers. FFF has also produced a “Flu Vaccine Myths & Facts” brochure that is downloadable as a PDF from the website, or available as a printed booklet that healthcare providers can order for their patients.

Although the flu season has already begun, healthcare providers are still purchasing flu vaccine and patients are already lining up for their flu shots. Trends suggest that many providers are placing their orders to buy vaccine earlier and earlier; some distributors are even getting order requests for the 2011/12 flu season.

Even though many orders have been fulfilled, healthcare providers are encouraged to buy flu vaccine, solidify their clinic plans, order marketing materials and prepare for the busy flu season ahead. For more information, visit www.MyFluVaccine.com.

Technorati Tags: Busy, Healthcare, Providers, Season, Still, Vaccine

The head of the World Health Organization said Tuesday that her decisions about swine flu were not influenced by advisers’ links to pharmaceutical companies, which were pointed out in a critical journal article this month.

The article last week in the BMJ, formerly known as the British Medical Journal, pointed out that WHO did not disclose potential conflicts of interest among some of the experts involved in writing guidelines for pandemic flu preparations. Three scientists out of 22 who worked on the guidelines were named as having received some money from pharmaceuticals. The scientists did not work at the drug companies, but were paid for things like speaking at meetings sponsored by them.

The guidelines recommend, among other things, that countries consider buying antivirals and vaccines to combat a pandemic.

The authors of the BMJ article suggest, without providing direct evidence, that these scientists’ ties to pharmaceutical companies influenced WHO’s recommendation that countries buy drugs and vaccines — adding to those drug companies’ profits.

“Our investigation has revealed damaging issues,” wrote Deborah Cohen of BMJ and journalist Philip Carter. “These conflicts of interest have never been disclosed by WHO.”

WHO’s handling of the outbreak is being reviewed by a 29-member expert panel that will report its findings next year. Critics say many of those panelists are also trusted WHO advisers and government employees who could end up whitewashing any failures.

“At no time, not for one second, did commercial interests enter my decision-making,” WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said.

Chan insisted she was open to the panel’s criticism. “Should this committee decide that the current definition of a pandemic and the phases leading up to its declaration need to be tightened or otherwise revised, this will be another recommendation that we will welcome, and act on.”

The U.S. Health and Human Services department defended the U.N. body.

“WHO handled the outbreak in a very measured and appropriate manner,” said Bill Hall, an HHS spokesman. “Their decisions were driven by the existing and evolving conditions at the time.” He said there was “no indication whatsoever that any of their decisions were influenced by industry.”

Other leading officials agreed.

“There was nothing in those guidelines that was not based on the best science available,” said Michael Osterholm, a flu expert at the University of Minnesota who has advised the U.S. on pandemic preparations. He said the scientists consulted were the world’s top flu experts and to not include them would have been a major flaw.

Osterholm said that because flu viruses are unpredictable, it was impossible for anyone to predict last spring that swine flu would not evolve into a more lethal strain.

He slammed the BMJ article, calling it “irresponsible and reckless,” and said its authors had not substantiated their claims WHO behaved inappropriately during the pandemic. “It’s akin to shouting ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre without regard to the consequences,” Osterholm said.

He said while WHO should be subjected to the highest scrutiny, BMJ’s accusations had done “untold damage to the public health infrastructure of the world.”

Harvey Fineberg, the president of the Institute of Medicine in Washington, said the review panel which he heads will hear from critics of WHO when it next meets from June 30 to July 2.

A report published by the Council of Europe last week said the guidelines from WHO, European Union agencies and national governments led to a “waste of large sums of public money and unjustified scares and fears about the health risks faced by the European public.” The agency is not an EU body.

Technorati Tags: drug companies, Flu, flu viruses, pharmaceutical, WHO

Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline says one of its swine flu vaccines has been certified by the World Health Organization, making it available for donors to buy for developing countries.

In a statement issued Tuesday, GlaxoSmithKline PLC said WHO had approved its Canadian vaccine after examining its quality and safety data. The vaccine contains an adjuvant, a chemical compound to boost the immune system.

Last month, Glaxo advised health authorities not to use one batch of its Canadian-manufactured swine flu vaccine in case it triggered life-threatening side effects like anaphylactic shock.

Several vaccine makers have promised WHO 156 million doses of swine flu vaccine, which it hopes to start shipping to 95 poor countries this month.

Technorati Tags: GlaxoSmithKline, swine flu vaccine, World Health Organization

BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) – Swiss drugs giant Novartis has completed a first batch of swine flu vaccine for pre-clinical trials and aims to make a version available in the fall, the company said.

“Novartis has successfully completed the production of the first batch of influenza A(H1N1) vaccine, weeks ahead of expectations,” the company said in a statement.

The 10-litre batch “will be used for pre-clinical evaluation and testing and is also being considered for use in clinical trials,” it said.

Novartis hopes to start clinical trials in July and “expects licensure in the fall of 2009,” it said.

It added that “more than 30 governments have made requests to Novartis to supply them with influenza A(H1N1) vaccine ingredients.”

The company used cell-based technology to produce the vaccine, a faster method than the traditional technology that uses eggs, according to Novartis.

Novartis received 289 million dollars (206.8 million euros) last month from the US Department of Health and Human Services for the development of the vaccine.

The World Health Organization declared a swine flu pandemic on Thursday, ratcheting up its alert to the maximum level of six.

Swine flu has infected people almost 30,000 people in 75 countries and claimed 144 lives since it was first detected in Mexico in April.

Technorati Tags: Novartis, swine flu, swine flu pandemic, swine flu vaccine