H1N1 Tips

Here's a great e-mail regarding Swine Flu...if you haven't gotten it, it's going around! (The e-mail, not the flu :))

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you need to eat or bathe).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt).
H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to #3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga "asanas" to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (i.e. citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.
Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Swine Flu Update....

The Swine Flu is receiving significant international attention. Now, the World Health
Organization has raised the Pandemic Threat Level to 5 (out of 6!)

Symptoms are similar to regular human flu: fever and chills, a cough, sore throat, aching limbs, headaches, and general malaise. However, there are reports of swine flu also causing diarrhoea and vomiting. Pneumonia and respiratory failure can occur leading to death as also happens in regular human flu, which kills thousands of people every year.

And how are we preparing ourselves to battle this pandemic virus? It appears to many folks that we are spending a great deal of time scaring the pudding out of ourselves, lots of knee jerk reactions, and reports of an ominous nature.

But, this swine flu outbreak should wake us all up to either getting our acts together and begin to plan for the reality of many other pandemic possibilities. Businesses as well as our schools and homes should have a plan. I love this definition given in one of the many swine flu articles I've read: "Cyberchondria is an anxiety disorder related to hypochondria and brought on by reading too many tweets with the #swineflu tag, listening to conspiracy theorists, and viewing online news stories about diseases that scare the sheesh kebab out of you for no good reason." All you good scouts out there, be prepared.

First US Death in Texas Due to Swine Flu

The first death due to swine flu has been reported today. A young boy reported to be either 22 or 23 months old died in Texas while he was visiting with his family from Mexico.

President Obama has asked congress for $1.5 billion in emergency funds to combat the flu. "This is obviously a serious situation, serious enough to take the utmost precautions," he stated.

Dr. Richard Besser of the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on the Today Show that it's still too soon to tell how quickly the virus is spreading.

At this time, the CDC has the most up-to-date information regarding deaths and confirmed infection. With 91 US cases, New York still leads today with 51 cases with many other states just having been reported within the last 24 hours. It seems to be spreading quickly.

Mexico is faring the worst with the flu-- over 2000 cases have been reported and more than 150 deaths. Other countries reportedly affected are Canada, Britain, Spain and New Zealand. And although statements have been made that you cannot contract the disease by eating or preparing pork, many nations have banned pork products and Egypt has ordered the slaughter of all pigs.

Swine Flu

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: "Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A Influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people."

Symptoms include many of the same common flu symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some have reported diarrhea and vomiting. In past cases, pneumonia, respiratory failure, and death has been reported with swine flu infection in people. And the CDC adds, "like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions."

The flu is spread just like the common human flu-- by coughing, sneezing, or touching something that has been infected with the such as a doorknob or keyboard. The virus can live up to 2 hours on these types of objects. And startling enough, the Swine Flu can be passed along person-to-person a day before symptoms develop and 7 days after.

It's important to know, that the symptoms can range from mild to severe. Your best method of protection is washing your hands often. Keep in mind, you can not contract Swine Flu from eating or preparing pork or pork products.

As of this moment, New York is leading with 28 cases reported. You can find up-to-the-minute information on cases reported by clicking here.