Influenza viruses usually spread from person to person, through the flu-infected sneezing and coughing. They can also spread when a person touches a contaminated surface then touches the eyes, nose or mouth. It is crucial to protect one's self and family against the diseases that may result, especially now that there are emerging illnesses that can be fatal.
The swine flu outbreak is a serious health issue that is increasingly making people around the world more vigilant. Scores of people have already gotten infected with the swine flu or A(H1N1 virus in 21 countries including Mexico and the U.S. There are safety precautions being implemented in airports, and information is being disseminated through different channels to keep the populace warned about the disease.
As with any distressing global health matter, people are advised to remain calm and arm themselves with knowledge. Below are some facts about swine flu that must be remembered and understood.
-A(H1N1 virus is a new influenza virus detected in April 2009, with the earliest cases seen in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
-Several countries periodically vaccinate swine populations against swine flu. But a previously undetected variant virus has spread to humans, transmitted by infected people through coughing or sneezing.
-Infected persons will manifest symptoms similar to seasonal flu, fever,cough,runny nose,loss of appetite,nausea,fatigue,body aches and diarrhea will be experienced. Sever pneumonia can be fatal.
-Antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir and zanamavir have been recommended to treat infections. A swine flu vaccine for humans is still being developed.
-The World Health Organization (WHO)'s raising of pandemic levels means that there is widespread human-to-human influenza and virus transmissions.
To prevent the spread of this swine flu or A(H1N1) virus, people are advised to follow this tips:
-When sneezing or coughing, tissues must be used to cover the mouth. If you don't have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
-People are advised to keep rubbing alcohol or hand cleaners handy, or to routinely wash hands with water and soap.
-Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose with unclean hands.
-Use disinfectants on frequently touched surfaces. Germs can also be spread when a person touches an infected surface and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose.
-Those exhibiting flu like symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
-Home, work and other enclosed environments must be cleaned thoroughly.
-The usual health practices, such as proper exercise, diet and sufficient sleep strengthen the body and its defenses.
-Bathroom surfaces and commonly touched objects are potential breeding grounds for microbes and other unseen menaces, so disinfectants must be used.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that registered disinfectants effective against influenza A are also effective against A(H1N1) flu viruses on non-porous surfaces.
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1. Reduce stress.
This is to avoid the risks of stroke, especially among men. According to recent studies, stress that resulted from work doubles the risk of stroke for the said gender. Complete time for relaxation may help to reduce stress, like having a casual walk, some happy moments with your love ones or even watching comedy series on TV will alleviate stress.
2. Avoid Colds.
This can be done if you can have a complete and good sleep every night. People having 8 hours sleep or more at night have a three times less chance to get colds especially those exposed to cold virus than those persons with just 7 hours sleep or even less. According to research, having less time sleeping may result to reduced immune system of the body which is not a good thing.
3. Maintain Good Cholesterol.
Having complete minerals from daily dose of multivitamins may help to avoid common conditions such as hypertension, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL "good" cholesterol and obesity.
4. Protect Your Hips.
This can be done by stopping or avoiding smoking. Women who are not exposed to smoking or the smoke generated have a good defense. Based on studies, anyone who may or indirectly inhales cigarette smoke a day in a week has 67% risk factor of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD) - which thins the blood vessels on the hips which results to blood clots and severe pain. Carbon monoxide and nicotine from cigarette smoking may result to fatty deposits on blood vessels, according to doctors.
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Image From WikimediaInfluenza A(H1N1) viruss infection is now at a very alarming rate. Let us all be influenza A(H1N1) virus - free and keep it that way.
What Is Influenza A(H1N1) ?
- is a new strain of virus that resulted from the re assortment of 4 viruses from pigs, human and birds
- can cause pneumonia, which can be fatal
- no vaccine yet discovered to protect human
- Flu-like symptoms such as:
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle or joint pains
Lack of appetite
Runny nose
Sore throat
Cough
- Some cases have been reported to have diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
- Exposure to droplets from the cough and sneeze of the infected person, or by touching things with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
- By touching your mouth, nose or eyes after you got in contact with contaminated object and infected person.
- Use tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
- Immediately and properly dispose of used tissue
- Frequent and proper hand washing with soap and water
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers
- Avoid close contact with persons exhibiting flu-like symptoms
- Increase your body's resistance by :
Managing stress
Drinking plenty of fluids
Eating nutritious food with lots of vitamins and minerals
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Our gallbladder is a small organ found underneath the liver. It collects the bile salt and cholesterol produced in the liver which aid the intestines in digesting fats. These bile salts are bubbly substances being produced by the liver in response to the amount of fats in a diet that require digestion. A healthy diet has a balance amount of bile and cholesterol.
If the concentration of cholesterol increases, gallbladder stones or commonly as gallstones appear. Sometimes, these salts turn into stones inside the gallbladder already. These gallstones have high cholesterol level, and causes local inflammation. If these gallstones are flushed out by the muscular gallbladder, it will block the cystic duct and will result to severe pain, inflammation or jaundice (yellowing).
Gallstone or cholelithiasis is a stone or calculi in the gallbladder. Many people with gallstones shows no symptoms at all. Almost 25% of patients with asymptomatic gallstones shows symptoms only after 5 years and already require a visit to a doctor.
What Are The Dangers?
There's a greater possibility that gallstones are present on people at the age of 40, overweight, with a family history of this ailment and those fond of western diet. There is a greater chance that women can have this, especially pregnant women or those taking estrogen or birth control pills. In the long run, gallstones may block the bile duct wherein the exit of bile is restrained which results to obstructive jaundice. This is a risky situation and may result to inflammation and infection of the bile ducts, and may further damage the liver. If this happens, a surgery is needed to remove these gallstones contained in the bile duct.
If there are gallstones, a person is prone to acute pancreatitis. This is due to the fact that the pancreatic duct is also connected to the bile duct. Having gallstones may also damage the pancreas.
What Are The Symptoms?
It is estimated that about 50% of the people with gallstones show no symptoms at all. Gallstones produces severe and sudden pain that lasts a few hours. The pain is felt after eating food high on fats. This pain is experienced in 30 minutes to an hour after eating. This starts at the upper right side of the abdomen and the pain may spread up to the back. A fever with nausea and pain or biliary colic is a result of the pain in the gallbladder and cystic duct muscles which prevent the gallstones from entering the intestines. In several hours, the pain is further increased.
What Should Be Done?
If there's pain on the upper right side of the abdominal area, a doctor must be consulted to do some tests. If the suspected cause of the pain are gallstones, a blood sample is needed for examination. An ultrasound scan is also applicable.
What Are The Medications?
Self Help
1. Avoid fatty foods that are rich in animal fats like meat, fried foods, spicy foods, margarine, soft drinks, coffee, chocolates, commercial oils, sugar and other products containing sugar.
2. Drink plenty of water.
3. Avoid over eating.
4. Maintain proper weight.
Professional Help
Surgical removal is recommended for gallstones. This is called cholecystectomy. The gallstones may be removed by using an instrument called laparoscope, a narrow tube that is inserted in the abdomen. A part of this is an optical system that reproduces images of the abdominal contents to a video monitor.
Small precision instruments are inserted in the tube in the laparoscope to make small abdominal incision to remove the gallstones. Procedures are discussed by the doctor for the best way to remove the gallstones in every situation.
There are cases that these gallstones may be broken to very tiny pieces or melted down without an operation by using some medications or sound waves. But if the gallstones show no symptoms, surgery is not needed.
There are bile acid preparations that are used to break down the gallstones. This procedure is used only on small gallstones.
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Swine influenza or commonly as swine flu pertains to influenza caused by any virus native to the pig or swine. Those strains found on swine are termed as swine influenza virus or SIV. Strains of this virus are classed into three types. The common influenza is classified as influenza virus A whereas the rare type is classified as influenza virus C. However, influenza virus B has no known report yet on swines. The three classes of these strains are found on humans.
Who Are Affected?
Workers who are in direct contact with the animals have the highest risk on infection from these animals. Swines with SIV or swine flu virus can easily transmit the virus to humans if the animals carry strains that can infect humans. And this swine flu virus had already mutated enabling itself to be transmitted from one person to another. The latest news reports have it that swine flu virus in humans is now at a pandemic stage.
Signs And Symptoms
Generally, the symptoms for swine flu virus are the same for an ordinary flu. These include fever with cough, body pains, headache, sore throat, tiredness and freezing. Some patients reported nausea and diarrhea. Since all of these symptoms relate to a common flu, and not specifically for a swine flu virus, a special form of diagnosis must be done to ensure that the symptoms manifested are for SIV. The latest outbreak of swine flu virus made physicians to follow guidelines set by CDC ( Centers For Disease Control And Prevention) in diagnosing patients suspected of swine flu virus.
What Can Be Done?
As of now, there's no vaccine available yet for this type of swine flu virus. CDC currently recommends using Tamiflu or Relenza for treating or for the prevention of SIV. These drugs can prevent some serious complications and also can make the illness milder and make the person feel a lot more better and should be taken at the onset of the symptoms.
Recommendations
Preventing infection from swine flu virus is done with standard precautions for ordinary flu.
1. Frequent and effective washing of hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners especially in public places.
2. Be sure to cover your mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing.
3. If possible, avoid direct contact with sick persons.
4. If sick, stay at home and monitor your self for symptoms and limit direct contact with other people.
5. If the flu symptoms are evident and persist, consult your doctor immediately.
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