ALTERNATIVEMEDIA

If Swine Flu Bothers You – This News Will Really Freak You Out

If I was to ask you how lethal the current swine flu strain is, you would probably say “not very?” and hope that things are going to stay that way. Well, me too. But I have also been looking at this thing more closely, and the number I come up with for the mortality rate is about 3 in every 10,000 new infections. At least, that’s how swine flu has been behaving up until mid 2009. Of course, things can always change overnight, and that is why we have several major vaccine companies racing to get a vaccine into the hands of the public before it is truly needed.

But that mortality rate is surprisingly low. Especially when you consider that the last time an H1N1 swine flu virus began spreading unchecked in the human population it eventually morphed into a killer that was capable of killing roughly 500 of every 10,000 people newly infected. In some small and socially remote communities the mortality rate reached a level equivalent to a stunning 9,000 of every 10,000 new infections. This makes the current swine flu virus with its 3 in 10,000 seem like small potatoes indeed.

Just keep in mind that the 1918 strain started out as small potatoes too, and took six months or so to ramp up the numbers. No one knows if that might happen again, but nobody who understands the highly mutating nature of influenza A is prepared to rule it out either. The amazing thing I learned, while reading Survive Pandemic Flu, is that even if the current swine flu strain never manages to become more deadly than it is right now, we could still see a repeat of 1918 from none other than the original virus itself.

How is that possible, you ask? It turns out that through an amazing chain of events starting with Abraham Lincoln, who issued a proclamation to study diseases on the battlefield during the Civil War, and ending with a molecular biologist who was able to string the virus back together in 2005 after it had been dead for nearly nine decades, the monster strain is alive and well and ready to wreak havoc again the moment somebody in the lab gets sloppy with their safety protocols.

So do not let the slowness with which the new swine flu strain is becoming more threatening lull you into complacency about pandemic influenza.…

Issues Related to Illness and Health on a Cruise Ship

You might spoil your wonderful vacation if you get sick while cruising on a cruise ship.

USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) suggest some healthy cruising tips. They are:

1) Your hands must be washed frequently.

• Avoid exposing others and yourself to anything that causes illness and helps in spreading germs by washing your hands often. Wash hands especially before smoking or eating and after using the washroom.

2) Report your illness if you are sick

• Before going on a cruise, ask the cruise liner company if alternative cruising options like credits, voyage dates etc are available.

• You may also consult a doctor before voyaging to check if you are fit for the voyage.

• Follow the medical staff’s suggestions by visiting the ship’s medical facility during the voyage.

3) Avoid all eatables and drinks that you think will sicken you.

• Search for the general food service cleanliness and inspection scores to assist you in deciding where and what you should eat.

There are three diseases which people are more prone to suffer from if not taken proper care. These diseases are Legionnaires’ disease, Influenza and Noroviruses:

1) Legionnaires’ disease

• Legionnaires’ disease is the reason that leads to pneumonia outbreaks on cruise liners. • The main sources of illnesses on cruise ships are the potable water supply systems and contamination of whirlpool spas on the ship.

• Passengers usually detect the symptoms upon the completion of travel and as a result the transmission of diseases continues.

• Stays in hotels and exposure to various environments are included in cruise travel which makes it difficult to link a cruise ship with infection.

2) Influenza

• The most common illness among travelers on a cruise ship is the influenza infection.

• Influenza is also the most vaccine-preventable disease of travelers.

• People going on a cruise are advised to have an annual influenza vaccination. This is the primary method for the prevention of influenza and its resulting complications.

• Influenza can cause illness among people of all age group.

• Infants, adolescents and children are usually the ones who are most infected by influenza.

• Persons aging over 65 years suffer from serious illness and have the highest death rate.

• People of any age group who already suffer from serious medical conditions are more prone to suffer from this illness (e.g. people suffering from chronic cardiopulmonary disease).

• Infection from influenza depends on the destination and the time of the year.

• European countries suffer from seasonal epidemics especially during the months of winter.

• Influenza can spread throughout the year in the tropical region.

• However, people onboard are not safe from the infection as there are people who maybe already suffering from influenza and maybe circulating them.…

Why is Influenza So Dangerous For Diabetics?

Influenza is more dangerous for diabetics than it is for others. Why is this so? Any kind of sickness raises blood-sugar levels in diabetics. In fact, an Illness can prevent a diabetic from eating properly, which further affects blood-glucose levels. Diabetes compromises the immune system by causing people to become more vulnerable to severe cases of the flu, (Centers for Disease Control (CDC)). Diabetics who contract the flu usually get very sick, a lot sicker than other people who get the flu. In many cases, diabetics with the flu end up in the hospital.

People with diabetes can help keep themselves safe from the flu by getting a flu shot yearly, provided that they are not allergic to it, like many people are. The flu is definitely not good for everyone. Many people complain of getting sick after taking the flu shot. However, for the most part, it is very good in preventing the flu. It is recommended that everyone with diabetes, even pregnant women, should get a yearly flu shot, and the best time to get one is in October or mid-November before the flu season begins, (CDC).

According to the CDC, if one has diabetes, a flu shot can be the difference between life and death. In addition to the influenza vaccine, diabetics should also get the pneumococcal vaccine along with the Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td) Toxoid vaccine. All measures should be taken to stay as safe as possible from infections.

There are some important measures one can take to avoid getting sick. Washing hands regularly is a very good practice in stopping the spread of influenza and other infections. One should avoid contact with sick people. Influenza for example is thought to spread from person-to-person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with infected people. If one is feeling under the weather, the CDC recommends that one should stay home from work or school to limit contact with others to keep them from getting sick also.

Regardless of the circumstances, diabetics should continue taking their medications (pills or insulin), even if they cannot eat while sick with the flu. Health care providers may at times advise diabetic patients to take more insulin during sickness, depending on the situation, (CDC).

Very close supervision should be employed by diabetics when they are experiencing any form of sickness. Here are some critical steps to follow in the case of illness: test blood-glucose levels every hour–all results should be recorded and monitored; drink extra (calorie-free) liquids, and try to eat normally; if eating normally isn’t possible, eat soft foods and liquids containing the same amount of carbohydrates one normally consumes; weigh oneself every day-losing weight without effort could be a sign of high blood-glucose; and check body temperature every morning and evening–an onset of fever could be a sign of infection, (CDC).

One should call her or his health care provider or go to the emergency room if any of the following occurs: feeling too sick to eat normally-unable to keep down food for more than 6 hours; episodes of severe diarrhea; losing 5 pounds or more; body temperature is over 101 degrees F; blood-glucose is lower than 60 mg/dL or remains over 300 mg/dL; experience moderate or large amounts of ketones in urine; feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly; and having trouble breathing, (CDC).

Diabetics have to be extra careful when it comes to the flu because diabetes itself compromises the immune system of diabetics. Therefore, prevention of the flu is the best medicine. Although the flu shot doesn’t agree with everyone, it is still the most effective remedy against the flu. So, all efforts should be made in getting a flu shot every year.

Please visit the CDC for more information on diabetes and influenza.…

Avoiding H1N1 Influenza – How to Avoid Catching the Swine Flu

With the H1N1 Influenza virus spreading throughout the globe what can you do to protect yourself and your family from becoming it’s latest victim? There are a number of steps individuals can do to prevent becoming infected with this nasty strain of Influenza.

The H1N1 Influenza, formerly known as the Swine Flu, has been spreading throughout the world at an alarming pace since early 2009. And although a live virus Vaccine is now available in limited quantities with a additional doses of vaccine promised soon

this virus is not waiting to spread. So here are some basic steps you can do immediately to help you avoid getting sick:

1. Make a conscious effort to keep your hands out of your face. Adults on average touch their face 17 times per hour, and children touch their face up to 80 times per hour. Since the flu virus can remain on surfaces that you touch with your hands for many hours this is a vital step in preventing the Flu from reaching your eyes, nose and mouth.

2. Scrub your hands with clean water and anti-bacterial soap as often as possible. It is mostly the length of the scrubbing action (the Friction) that eliminates germs and bacteria from your hands. Some experts say to scrub your hands while singing 2 versus of “Happy Birthday to You” as the ideal length of time to wash your hands. Hand washing is more effective than other hand cleaning when your hands are soiled with grime and dirt.

3. As often as possible, and especially after touching surfaces that infected persons may have recently touched, use a hand sanitizer to clean your hands and kill harmful microbes. The most common type of hand sanitizer contains Ethyl Alcohol (with concentration levels above 60%) as the active Antimicrobial ingredient. Because these alcohol based hand sanitizers can dry your skin there are alcohol free alternatives. These next generation sanitizers usually contain an ammonium compound called Benzalkonium Chloride (BZK) and unlike alcohol sanitizers they keep on protecting you even after they dry. Both types of hand sanitizers are equally effective at killing 99.9% of germs within 15 seconds including avian flu, SARS, influenza A2 and the H1N1 virus.

4. Avoid sitting or standing next to any person suspected of being infected. The flu virus can be spread by directly inhaling mucus and saliva liberated by the sneeze of an infected person as well as by hand-to-hand contact with such persons.

5. If exposure to infected persons is unavoidable, the use of an NIOSH Approved N95 rated respirator mask and a pair of clear safety glasses may decrease the chances that an infected person’s virus-laden matter will reach the mucus membranes of your eyes, nose and mouth.

The H1N1 Influenza is likely to kill more people before a reliable vaccine is fully distributed. By taking some precautionary steps like those outlined above, you can decrease your chances of contracting this deadly flu strain.…

Hypertension Risk Factors

Everyone takes risks all of the time; even crossing a busy road can put you at risk. In fact, many heavy smokers and drinkers will tell you that you could be run over by a bus at any time, when their excessive habit is commented upon.

But it is your duty to look after the body you have been given. Because you only have one chance at life, to throw it away by over indulging in alcohol or cigarettes is sacrilege.

Statistics that have been compiled relating to hypertension or high blood pressure will inform you that up to 20% of the world’s population could be victims of this condition. This is why heart disease and strokes are two of the biggest killers in the world today. Most heart attacks and strokes are caused by hypertension. Two of the main hypertension risk factors are smoking and alcohol abuse.

Therefore, to control high blood pressure and avoid becoming another statistic a number of actions need to be taken.

Firstly, regular exercise is important. A 30 minute walk 4 or 5 times a week could be a start. Walking, swimming and cycling are the type of exercise that would benefit your blood pressure. The human body is designed for mobility and flexibility. Therefore, you are not mobile if you always sit in front of the TV, smoking and drinking which can be a common habit for many. If your mobility was taken from you at any time it would be disastrous so why take it for granted?

There are a number of other hypertension risk factors that also need to be taken into account which are equally important. For instance: high salt intake, obesity and the fact that your hypertension could be hereditary. If high blood pressure is in your family history it could affect you.

To get advice and find out if you are a sufferer you must visit your doctor and take notice of the advice that you are given.

If you choose not to visit your doctor, then you could have a priest visiting you instead!…

Swine Flu and the Pandemic Alert

Due to the world wide spread of influenza viruses there are researches taking place all over the world to find out the strain that is the cause of a large scale disaster in our countries. For the control of this deadly influenza virus a vaccine is introduced by the scientist that is resulting in effective control. However the main reason of threat is not the swine flu but the strain that is hot topic these days.

The virus responsible for this flu is known as influenza A/H1N1, and spreads from one person to another though coughing, sneezing and may cause death. This situation really does not mean that you should avoid eating pork. Many people are still concerned about the presence of pork in their diet although they are prompted to cook the pork meat properly so that they can save themselves from this highly contagious virus. When it comes to protect your self from this flu there are several suggestions. First of all you must take care of your personal hygiene by washing hands, throwing your tissues into the dust bin and to avoid being close to the person showing symptoms of flu. the swine flu spreads through air so it is not possible for us to stop breathing if we are trying to avoid contact. A face mask will help you in this matter.

If you feel that you are having a head ache, body ache, running nose, fever with or without chills, coughing, pneumonia or diarrhea with all these other symptoms, you must consult your doctor for treatment as it is possible that you are infected with swine influenza virus. If you are thinking that this flu will not bother you much and you can protect yourself with this new vaccine, the bad news is that you are absolutely wrong. The reason is that vaccine is developed for a specific strain of influenza and your flu may be different from the other types of strains and it will take about six months to produce a vaccine that is suitable for your flu.

As the time is passing, the number of cases is increasing in United States and since a lot of people travel across the world daily, it is likely possible that the virus spreads to other countries as well. Only by taking proper precautionary measures we can prevent our lives from this deadly virus attack. If our environment is clean, there are no chances for this virus to develop and infect us. A healthy diet will also support your immune system to fight against this virus. You can also use anti viral and anti bacterial supplements as a precautionary measure.…