Swine Flu Vaccination - Why it Might Be Dangerous and What Are Your Alternatives?

The world is currently on edge with the development of the H1N1 flu and is awaiting the upcoming flu season.  Everyday we hear talk about the swine flu vaccination but many people don't trust these vaccines that are quickly being rushed to market.  What are the potential dangers that you should know about and what can you do to protect your family's health as an alternative?

Swine Flu in 1976

Swine flu was first discovered in 1976 when a 19 year old private in the Army at Fort Dix became extremely ill and then was dead within 24 hours.  Swine flu was announced and within weeks drug companies wanted to inoculate the entire country with a swine flu vaccination.  Mass vaccinations started and within weeks people that took the shot were developing Guillain-Barré syndrome, a paralyzing nerve disease.  500 people came down with this disease and 30 people died.  The only death from the swine flu was the 19 year old private David Lewis.

There are many ingredients added to vaccines that can have very negative effects on human beings and there are long and short term effects.  The drug companies are making billions of dollars on drugs though and not everyone trusts industries that are so heavily motivated by money.  Is the swine flu vaccination going to save us or just put billions in the pockets of drug companies?

Swine Flu 2009

So once again there is a mad rush to create a vaccine to inoculate every man, woman, and child just like in 1976.  Have the drug companies learned anything or are we the end users still taking a gamble?  The World Health Organization is assuring everyone that there will be no complications from the H1N1 flu vaccination but if that is true then why are the drug companies that are manufacturing the vaccine not going to be held liable for any compensation claims that anyone may suffer.  

European countries and the United States have granted indemnity to the companies to encourage them to rush this out to market to secure enough doses for October.  Supposedly the states will be asked to pick up the bill for any compensation claims.  Asked to pick up the bill?  How exactly is that going to work?  It makes things very sticky and many states in the U.S. are already struggling with money so how do they plan to compensate health claims made against a possible swine flu vaccination gone wrong?

Take initiative and prepare yourself

It's amazing how much fear is being promoted on the news about the H1N1 flu and how there is silence on things you can do to help prevent catching it.  Aside from washing hands which seems to be the only thing they promote there are solid strategies to help strengthen your own immune system giving you an edge.  There is no guarantee you will even be able to get a swine flu vaccination if you want one so what can you do for yourself today?

Taking Vitamin C is a cheap way to strengthen your overall immune system.  Vitamin D has actually been shown in clinical settings to help prevent people from even catching the H1N1 flu.  There are millions of people around the world that are now privy to this information on Vitamin D and trying to spread the word.  The final supplement you can add is Echinacea.  This herb has been used for centuries to strengthen immune systems.  

Don't wait around for a swine flu vaccination, start protecting yourself today with sound nutrition and some healthy supplements to help strengthen your immunity to flu.

Symptoms of Swine Flu - Know the Difference Between H1N1 Flu and Regular 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 H1N1 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.

Risk factors of Swine Flu
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 H1N1 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.

Symptoms of Swine Flu
In children, the symptoms of H1N1 virus 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 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 this flu, also known as Influenza A.

How do I catch swine flu?
H1N1 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.

How can someone with swine flu infect it to someone else?
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 flu even before she or he knows that she or he is sick.

How do I protect myself from swine flu? How can I take precautions against H1N1virus?
There is no vaccine that can protect you or be prevention against H1N1 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 the 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. 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.

How long can the Swine Flu virus stay on things like doorknobs and furniture?
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 H1N1 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 the virus.

What are the medicines and treatment options?
Taking oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) can treat 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.

How do I prevent getting H1N1 in high risk areas?
If you live in places where people have been infected with H1N1 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.

Does WHO recommend using a MASK?
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.

How can I differentiate between H1N1 Swine Flu and seasonal flu?
You cannot tell the difference 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.

Home remedies for swine flu:
There are no home remedies, especially when you have to figure out if it is H1N1 or season flu. The H1N1 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:
1. Wash your hands properly before having a meal, not just with soap and water.
2. 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.
3. Drink lemon balm tea because it has anti-viral properties.
4. Chew fresh garlic cloves because they have antiviral properties as well.
5. Steam inhalation with chamomile or eucalyptus thrice a day can relieve lung congestion and prevent swine flu symptoms.

New Strain of the Swine Flu Virus Poses a Threat to the Extent of Becoming a Pandemic

What is Swine Influenza?

Swine influenza virus, endemic to pig populations, is said to be caused by the Orthomyxo viruses. Strains of the swine flu virus, isolated to date, have been classified as a subtype of the genus influenza virus A.

The new strain is an obvious reassortment of several strains of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, which include a strain that is endemic in humans and two strains that are endemic in pigs, as well as an avian influenza virus.

Reassortment is common feature in influenza viruses; this is because of the structure of their genome. However, this particular reassortment is consistent with its ability to transmit the mutated virus from pigs to humans.

In the current scenario, the outbreak of this disease has been termed as the "public health emergency of international concern," by the World Health Organization. Moreover, most concerned officials lack any knowledge with regard to its clinical features, epidemiology, and virology as well as the appropriate responses needed as a result. All the concerned government health agencies around the world are monitoring the situation closely.

Swine flu is spread amongst humans on contact. The spread of the 2009 swine flu outbreak owes its existence to a new strain of H1N1 influenza virus, which was first detected in March 2009 by public health officials. There are serious concerns expressed about this novel strain because it has had a relatively high mortality rate in Mexico, and now has the potential to become a full fledged flu pandemic.

How is swine flu prevented?

Recommendations to prevent infection by the virus consist of the standard personal precautions against influenza. This includes:
Frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer Avoid touching the mouth, nose or eyes with the hands unless they have been washed first Cough into a tissue and throw it in the garbage immediately or if bare hands are used to cover the nose and mouth then the hands must be washed immediately.

Many countries have also confirmed that all the inbound international passengers will be screened. They will ask each passenger which countries they have visited as well as feel or look for particularly unwell passengers.

Furthermore, CDC has also recommended the use of Tamiflu and Relenza for both treatment and prevention of this new strain.

Some physicians also recommend the use of masks in public places as this decrease the likelihood of transmission of the virus when around an infected person.

Swine flu can be further prevented by:
Knowing all the signs of swine flu which include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhoea and vomiting. Make sure you are in good health; get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Practice good hygiene; while sneezing place a disposable tissue over your mouth, throw the tissue away after use and wash your hands regularly after blowing your nose/sneezing and before you eat. Don't share utensils or drinks.
How are swine influenza symptoms recognised?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone with symptoms of influenza should call their healthcare provider.

In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza and of influenza-like illness. However, the strain responsible for the 2009 swine flu outbreak is normally known to cause only mild symptoms and the infected person recovers fully in a few days.

Are there ways to reduce the spread of this disease?

The flu virus is normally thought to spread from person to person contact in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This happens when droplets from cough or sneezes are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of uninfected people nearby. Moreover, it could also spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose before washing the hands.

Taking the following measures will surely arrest it from spreading to healthy humans. For this you must:
Check with your health care provider about any special care that you might need, especially if you are pregnant or have health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or emphysema Check about all your antiviral medications Stay at home for 7 days after the start of illness Drink clear fluids to keep yourself hydrated Cover up when coughing or sneezing; was your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub Avoid close contact with infected people When going out in public places always wear a mask Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible Maintain good ventilation in shared household areas Use antivirals to prevent the flu after checking with your healthcare provider

 

Swine Flu Virus

A Swine Flu virus has health officials around the world working to contain the growing outbreak. One out of every five residents of Mexico's most populous city wore masks to protect themselves against the virus as Mexico City seems to be the epicenter of the outbreak. As many as 103 deaths have been attributed to the swine flu so far with many more feared to be on the horizon. The health department of Mexico said an additional 1,614 reported cases have been documented.

So far, however, only 18 of the deaths in Mexico have been confirmed by laboratory tests to be from swine flu virus and reported to the World Health Organization as such.

In the US preparations have been upgraded for a possible swine flu virus outbreak after 20 cases were reported, also the first cases of the virus was reported in Canada on Sunday -- six mild cases.

Swine flu or Swine Influenza is a contagious respiratory sickness that is normally only found in pigs. It is caused by a type-A influenza virus. Outbreaks in pigs occur year-round. The current strain is a new variation of an H1N1 virus, which is a mix of human and animal versions.

Normaly the swine flu virus only spreads from animal to person containing the spread but When the flu spreads person-to-person, it can continue to mutate, making it harder to combat because people have no natural immunity.

The symptoms are similar to the common flu. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Learn more about swine flu and how to treat it in the link below.

The swine flu virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes around another person. People can become infected by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

Calling it a "public health emergency of international concern" the World Health Organization (WHO) is very concerned. The WHO also says a public health emergency is an occurrence or imminent threat of illness or health conditions caused by bioterrorism, epidemic or pandemic disease, or highly fatal infectious agents or toxins that pose serious risk to a significant number of people.

Swine Flu Virus Protection?

Advice of health experts is to follow common-sense instructions: Wash your hands, stay home if you're sick and listen to your local health authorities. Advice from the CDC about the situation is, "Very frequent hand-washing is something that we talk about time and time again and that is an effective way to reduce transmission of disease,". They also advise, "If you're sick, it's very important that people stay at home. If your children are sick, have a fever and flu-like illness, they shouldn't go to school. And if you're ill, you shouldn't get on an airplane or another public transport to travel. Those things are part of personal responsibility in trying to reduce the impact. "

Swine Flu Symptoms

It is also noted that swine flu symptoms are relatively general and nonspecific. "So many different things can cause these symptoms. it is a dilemma," says one doctor interviewed by CNN. "It is a challenge that we are wrestling with. There is not a perfect test right now to let a doctor know that a person has the Swine Flu." It has been noted that most individuals with Swine Flu had an early on set of fever. Also it was common to see dizziness, body aches and vomiting in addition to the common sneezing, headache and other cold symptoms.

If you become sick and notice early onset of body aches, vomiting and dizziness you should consult with your doctor immediately. Although it is very unlikely that you have the Swine Flu virus, you should get medical confirmation just to be safe.

This Swine Flu virus outbreak could be a very dangerous epidemic or just another bump in the road. Health officials are still trying to figure out where exactly the virus originated, how transmissible it is and why it is mild in some cases and deadlier in others. In the mean time. Wash your hands, use common sense and be on a heightened alert to signs and symptoms of the Swine Flu virus. See you doctor if any unusual flu like symptoms occur.

.