Swine Flu Awareness Guide - What do you know?

Source: Pune Mate

1. Have five duly washed leaves of Tulsi (known as Basil in English; medicinal name Ocimum sanctum) everyday in the morning. Tulsi has a large number of therapeutic properties. It keeps throat and lungs clear and helps in infections by way of strengthening your immunity.

2. Giloi (medicinal name Tinospora cordifolia) is a commonly available plant in many areas. Take a one-foot long branch of giloi, add five to six leaves of Tulsi and boil in water for 15-20 minutes or long enough to allow the water to extract its properties. Add black pepper and sendha (salt used during religious fasts), rock or black salt, or Misri (crystalised sugar like lumps to make it sweet) according to taste. Let it cool a bit and drink this kadha (concoction) while still warm. It will work wonders for your immunity. If giloi plant is not available, get processed giloi powder from Hamdard or others, and concoct a similar drink once a day.

3. A small piece of camphor (kapoor) approximately the size of a tablet should be taken once or twice a month. It can be swallowed with water by adults while children can take it along with mashed potatoes or banana because they will find it difficult to have it without any aides. Please remember camphor is not to be taken everyday, but only once each season, or once a month.

4. Those who can take garlic, must have two pods of raw garlic first thing in the morning. To be swallowed daily with lukewarm water. Garlic too strengthens immunity like the earlier measures mentioned.

5. Those not allergic to milk, must take a glass of hot or lukewarm milk every night with a small measure of haldi (turmeric).

6. Aloe vera (gwarpatha) too is a commonly available plant. Its thick and long, cactus-like leaves have an odourless gel. A teaspoon gel taken with water daily can work wonders for not only your skin and joint pains, but also boost immunity.

7. Take homeopathic medicines — Pyrogenium 200 and Inflenzium 200 in particular — five tablets three times a day, or two-three drops three times a day. While these are not specifically targeted at H1N1 either, these work well as preventive against common flu virus.

8. Do Pranayam daily (preferably under guidance if you are already not initiated into it) and go for morning jog/walk regularly to keep your throat and lungs in good condition and body in fine fettle. Even in small measures, it will work wonders for your body’s resistance against all such diseases which attack the nose, throat and lungs, besides keeping you fit.

9. Have citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice. Since fresh Amla is not yet available in the market (not for another three to four months), it is not a bad idea to buy packaged Amla juice which is commonly available nowadays.

10. Last but not the least, wash your hands frequently every day with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds; especially before meals, or each time after touching a surface that you suspect could be contaminated with flu virus such as a door handle or a knob/handle, especially if you have returned from a public place or used public transport. Alcohol-based hand cleaners should be kept handy at all times and used until you can get soap and warm water.

Source: TOI

Swine Flu High Risk Groups

With regular seasonal flu, infants and the elderly are usually thought to be most at risk for serious infections, in addition to people with chronic medical problems. 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

What You Need To Know

• Swine flu likely spreads by direct contact with respiratory secretions of someone that is sick with swine flu, like if they were coughing and sneezing close to you.
  
  
• People with swine flu are likely contagious for one day before and up to seven days after they began to get sick with swine flu symptoms.
  
  
• Droplets from a cough or sneeze can also contaminate surfaces, such as a doorknob, drinking glass, or kitchen counter, although these germs likely don't survive for more than a few hours.
  
  
• Anti-flu medications, including Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir), are available to prevent and treat swine flu.
  
  
• The latest swine flu news from the CDC includes advice that children should not attend summer camps if they have had swine flu symptoms in the previous seven days and that camp staff should be quick to identify campers with swine flu symptoms and separate them from well campers.

If a person becomes sick with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).
Beside antivirals, supportive care at home or in hospital, focuses on controlling fevers, relieving pain and maintaining fluid balance, as well as identifying and treating any secondary infections or other medical problems.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses; however, the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs. The virus isolates in the 2009 outbreak have been found resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.

In the U.S., on April 27, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorizations to make available Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral drugs to treat the swine influenza virus in cases for which they are currently unapproved. The agency issued these EUAs to allow treatment of patients younger than the current approval allows and to allow the widespread distribution of the drugs, including by non-licensed volunteers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza

1. Wash your hands frequently

Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.

2. Get enough sleep

Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Avoid alcohol

Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.

7. Be physically active

Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.

8. Keep away from sick people

Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone else’s nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.

9. Know when to get help

Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.

10. Avoid crowded areas

Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside.

patients with compromised kidney and liver functions should take extra care so that they do not get affected.And if infected they should be treated 1st as the mortality is much hingher in those cases.

This everyone might be knowing....

Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular flu which include:

- fever of over 100.4°F,
- fatigue,
- lack of appetite,
- and cold.

Some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Nearly everyone with flu has at least two of these symptoms.

How do you know if you have flu or just cold?

There is one clue: when you have the flu, you feel flu symptoms sooner than you would cold symptoms, and they come on with much greater intensity. With the flu, you may feel very weak and fatigued for up to 2 or 3 weeks. You'll have muscle aches and periods of chills and sweats as fever comes and goes. You may also have a stuffy or runny nose, headache, and sore throat.

Source: webMD

in addition to your mentioned steps each one should adhere to points as below

1 - Stay away from infected areas or regions.

2 - do not travel to affected areas - until unless it is emergency.

3 - People with Low Immunity - should take not to come in contact with affected persons or ares or regions.

these preventive measures will make lot of difference in controlling Swine Flu.

Atul

Tamiflu can have bad side-effects on children

However, researchers at Oxford University have questioned the safety of the drug for children. They found in a study that it caused vomiting, dehydration and other complications in about 5% of cases among children aged between one and 12 years. Another study had reported that Tamiflu caused nausea and nightmares in children.

"AIIMS professor of medicine Dr Randeep Guleria said: In Japan, it was found to cause neuro-psychiatric manifestations like suicidal tendencies in patients. The drug’s literature, I believe, mentions this. That’s why we have been constantly warning against indiscriminate use"

Source: TOI

Swine flu :

DOs:

* Wash your hands
* Avoid crowded places
* Stay more than an arm's length from persons afflicted with flu
* Get plenty of sleep
* Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food

DO NOTs:

* Shake hands or hug in greeting
* Spit in public
* Take medicines without consulting a physician

For people who are sick:

* Stay home and limit contacts with others as much as possible
* Rest and take plenty of liquids
* Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
* Seek medical advice if needed.

ELITE PEOPLE ARE NEED TO BE MORE AWARE COZ THEY ARE MORE IN TOUCH WITH THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE RISK OF HAVING SWINE FLU.THE PLACES LIKE PUBS,HIGH CLASS RESTRAUNT,INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES,etc,. ARE NOT VERY SAFE.SO,ITS NECCESSARY TO TAKE ALL POSSIBLE PRECAUTIONS BEFORE GOING THERE.BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT OTHER CLASSES ARE SAFE THEY SHOULD ALSO NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL.WE 'LL FIGHT WITH THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Wash your hands using soap before eating.

2.Do not get in contact with the objects used by infected person.

3.Avoid large gatherings except inexcusable.

4.Go to your physician immediately if you have fever with soar throat and cold.

5. Avoid self medication.

6. Most importantly persons affected should wear masks rather than the unaffected and avoid going out which would reduce spread of the virus more effectively.

Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
1-Fast breathing or trouble breathing 2-Bluish skin color •Not drinking enough fluids 3-Not waking up or not interacting 4-Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held 5-Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough Fever with a rash.

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include: 1-Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath 2-Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen 3-Sudden dizziness 4-confusion 5-Severe or persistent vomiting

Please visit the link for more information.....

HOW DO YOU CARE FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS?

Caring for yourself

The following will help reduce influenza symptoms. Of course, if the influenza appears to be more severe, you should consult with a medical professional immediately.
• Measure your temperature. If it is not above 38°C (100.4°F), you probably don’t have influenza.
• Rest and completely avoid rigorous exercise.
• Avoid contact with others.
• Stay at home.
• Drink plenty of fluids (a glass of water or juice every hour).
• Take paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) to reduce fever and relieve pain. (It does not kill the virus, but it makes you feel better.)
• Gargle with warm water to ease a sore throat.
• Use saline (salt) solution nose drops to help relieve a stuffed nose.
• Keep your nose clean with disposable tissues and throw the used tissues in the garbage. Wash your hands afterwards.
• Don’t smoke.

Caring for others

Most patients with pandemic influenza will be able to remain at home during the course of their illness and can be cared for by other family members or others who live in the household. Anyone residing in a household with an influenza patient during the incubation period and illness is at risk for developing influenza.The objective is to limit transmission of pandemic influenza within and outside the home. Even though there is a risk of transmitting the virus, people are going to have to take care of each other if they get sick.

High fever, sore throat? No need for H1N1 testing

Due to this panic hundreds of hospitals across the country which are unable to control the H1N1 panic and rush to
hospitals.

The Union health ministry has clearly spelt out as to who should go for the testing. Accordingly, even those with high fever or sore throat need not go for the test. Only those with breathlessness, chest pain and low BP must undergo the test.

Who should go for the testing: Please use this guidelines -

Category A

Patients with mild fever plus cough/sore throat with or without body ache, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting will be categorised as Category-A. They do not require Oseltamivir and should be treated for these symptoms. The patients should be monitored for their progress and reassessed at 24 to 48 hours by the doctor.

- No testing of the patient for H1N1 is required.
- Patients should stay home and avoid mixing up with public and high-risk members in the family.

Category B

In addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A, if the patient has high-grade fever and severe sore throat, may require home isolation and Oseltamivir.

In addition to all the signs and symptoms mentioned under Category-A, individuals having one or more of the following high-risk conditions shall be treated with Oseltamivir.

- Children less than 5 yrs old
- Pregnant women
- Persons aged 65 or more
- Patients with lung diseases, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer and HIV/AIDS; patients on long-term cortisone therapy.
- No test for H1N1 is required for Category-B (children below 5 yrs) and (pregnant women).
- These patients should stay home and avoid mixing with public and high risk members in the family.

Category C

In addition to the above signs and symptoms of Category-A and B, if the patient has one or more of the following:

- Breathlessness, chest pain, drowsiness, fall in blood pressure, sputum mixed with blood, bluish discolouration of

nails
- Irritability among small children, refusal to accept feed
- Worsening of underlying chronic conditions
- All these patients mentioned above in Category-C require testing, immediate hospitalization and treatment.

I hope this helps to reduce tension.

The best way to tackle this virus is to increase own immune system. There are very great ayudvedic and spiritual teachers who have found out ver simple techniques to increase the immune system.

Simple techniques like

drink lots of water

Practice any deep breathing technique - Prnayama

Amla - Gooseberry

Tulsi

Burn camphor/ dhoop in house. This has been scientifically proven that the smoke generated helps in killing the viruses in the air!

These are simple ways to combat this virus!

As the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is a new virus, no swine flu vaccine is available to prevent infections.

And unfortunately, the seasonal flu vaccine that many of us receive will not provide any protection against the swine flu virus.

Experts are already working on a swine flu vaccine though. The CDC has already provided a candidate vaccine virus to several laboratories and manufacturers so that they can produce pilot lots of swine flu vaccines that can be tested to make sure they are safe and effective.

It is important to note that the decision to make a swine flu vaccine is separate from the decision as to whether or not to recommend that people actually receive the vaccine. Experts will likely still have to see what happens throughout the rest of the summer to see if they will recommend that people get a swine flu vaccine.