All you need to know about the Swine Flu...
Rediff.com May 05, 2009 Seeing the speed with which swine flu is going global makes one wonder whether technology and a better-connected world have made life easier or more complicated for us. Health organisations are on high alert and nations are doing the best they can to prevent a full-blown pandemic and keep the virus from affecting their populations. So what exactly is the swine flu? It's a form of influenza that is caused by strains of virus found in pigs and which can be transferred to humans. The particular strain in question at the moment, the A H1N1 virus emerged from a remote and rural region of Mexico, where it was probably hibernating thus far in the bowels of a pig. Many similar and more lethal viruses similarly play out their appearing and disappearing acts in remote regions of the Congo Basin and South East Asia. In the past, when these critters reared their heads and caused an outbreak, their spread and disappearance were localised as they showed up in isolated pockets. History tells us that during the 1918 Spanish flu, communities which isolated themselves and didn't intermingle had lower death rates than families which did not observe the ban within their local community. But this pesky microbe is resilient and fast-moving and with globalisation, isolated hotspots are not so isolated anymore. Before we knew it, swine influenza was in our midst and made an easy jump from a pig host to human beings. The swine flu is rapidly crossing international borders. Humans directly in contact with infected pigs can contract the disease and then spread it to other human beings when they cough, sneeze, talk, travel or hug. Unfortunately, none of us are immune to this bug. Specially susceptible are babies, toddlers, the elderly, the ailing, pregnant women, respiratory disease sufferers and those with compromised immunity like AIDS or cancer patients. So, how do you know whether you have the plain old flu,or the fearsome swine flu? Well, a layperson really can't tell one from the other, but a very specific blood test can let you know whether the A H1N1 has decided to have your body play host to it. Symptoms List of 6 items * Lethargy * High fever (102 degrees+) accompanied by chills, aches and pains * Sore throat * Stuffy nose * Nausea and/ or diarrhoea * Fatigue list end Prevention There is hope for you to create a simple shield of protection against the flu by: List of 8 items * Washing your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 15-20 seconds with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitisers, especially after visiting public places, especially hotel restrooms, theatres etc. * Avoid visiting very crowded public places. * Avoid touching the mouth, nose or eyes, which are primary modes of transmission. * Cough or sneeze into a tissue -- dispose it off and wash your hands immediately * Avoid close contact with sick people, as far as possible. * If you get sick, stay at home. * Keep yourself well hydrated. Choose from a range of fluids -- plain water, fresh juices, coconut water or simply a fresh lime will flush out the toxins. Have plenty of hot soups if you have nasal congestion. Stay clear of caffeinated and aerated drinks. * Eat a nutritious diet and build up your immune system. And in case you're wondering whether you can get swine flu by eating hot dogs or Moo Shoo Pork, the answer is no -- you can't catch it by eating pork products, cooked or processed! But make sure that the meat you do comsume is cooked well and ensure that it reaches an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Celsius. list end Diet to strengthen your immunity levels List of 6 items * Consume plenty of lean proteins -- they help the body synthesise antibodies. * Vitamin C-rich fresh fruit and vegetables naturally boost your infection-fighting capacity. * Vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage contain glutathione, an antioxidant which boosts the body's defense system. * Avoid fatty foods -- they are difficult to digest and may aggravate gastric symptoms. * Have plenty of clear broths, chicken soups and jello. * Go easy on sugary foods, which bring down the body's defense capacity. list end Meanwhile, you can check the nutritional adequacy of your diet using this tool -- http://nutritionvista.com/Tools/Self-Assessment/Default.aspx -- to see if you are getting the necessary nutrients that will help boost your immunity. If diagnosed early, swine flu is easy to treat, so there is no need to panic. The virus is sensitive to the medicines Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or Zanamivir (Relenza), which help to prevent and treat the disease. Unfortunately, the previously recommended vaccines are ineffective against the new strain. A new vaccine is being developed and will be available only mid-2009. Till then, adequate precautions are your biggest weapon against the tiny menace! Poonam Vaswani is a dietician with www.NutritionVista.com -- visit their website for more health-related features. To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
