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How to Avoid the Swine (H1N1) Flu?
By reading this article, you will be well informed about H1N1 flu, which will help you take necessary steps to prevent you from contracting the virus and help educate others, who may be panic stricken due to this outbreak.
The outbreak of the H1N1 flu has caused much panic amongst the masses and there seems to be confusion all around. I think it's ok to be concerned about the situation, but panic is not warranted.
Preparedness to deal with the recent H1N1 flu is good, but preparedness by being ill-informed does not help the situation and this is exactly the sort of thing that creates panic.
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an H1N1 flu pandemic - so it's important to understand what the H1N1 flu is about and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
What is Swine (H1N1) Flu?
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.
Novel H1N1 (referred to as "swine flu" early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.
Read more about it at the CDC Website.
What are the Symptoms of H1N1 Flu? Is it Contagious and How does it Spread?
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache and fatigue are the most common symptoms of swine flu, but diarrhea and vomiting have also been associated as symptoms.Yes, H1N1 flu is contagious and the virus is spread mainly through coughing and/or sneezing of people infected with the virus.
In other instances, people may contract the virus by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
What Precautions Must I Take to Prevent from Contracting the Virus?
Medical experts recommend the following:- Wash your hands or use the sanitizers with over 60% alcohol content in it;
- Try to stay in good general health by being physically active, drinking plenty of water and good fluids, eating nutritious meals along with quality nutritional supplements and getting enough sleep;
- Manage your stress by meditating, staying positive and laughing a lot (it is indeed the best medicine);
- Try not touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus;
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
What to do if I get Sick?
If you are sick (including your children), you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
If you become sick and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- 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:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
Do I Need to Wear the N95 Masks (Respirators)?
It seems like the mainstream media has caused a myth by broadcasting images of people wearing the N95 masks, to "protect themselves" from the swine flu while interacting with one another.Apparently, N95 masks may not have the ability to protect the wearer from other people's airborne germs. The main purpose of the N95 masks is to prevent the wearer from infecting others.
Basically, they work by preventing virus infected mouth particles from becoming airborne. Therefore, if the wearer sneezes, coughs, etc. and their infected mouth particles remain within the confines of the mask and thereby not infect other people around them.
This is what a report prepared for the Public Health Agency of Canada concluded about the N95 masks:
- N95 respirators protect against the inhalation of nasopharyngeal, tracheobronchial and alveolar sized particles.
- Surgical masks worn by an infected person may play a role in the prevention of influenza transmission by reducing the amount of infectious material that is expelled into the environment.
- Both surgical masks and N95 respirators offer a physical barrier to contact with contaminated hands and ballistic trajectory particles, such as particles expelled by a sneeze or a cough.
- The efficiency of the filters of surgical masks to block penetration of alveolar and tracheobronchial sized particles is highly variable. When combined with the inability to ensure a sealed fit, these factors suggest that surgical masks offer no significant protection against the inhalation of alveolar and tracheobronchial sized particles.
Health officials say masks can help, but unless the person wearing the mask can ensure a sealed fit, the mask will offer no significant protection. This can be more of a problem for children or men with beards.
Before I conclude, one point worth mentioning is that H1N1 flu viruses are not spread by food. That is to say, you cannot contract the H1N1 flu virus from eating pork or pork products. Consuming safely handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Click Here to read the full report
Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division Describes the H1N1 Flu
H1N1 (Swine Flu)
In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee with the CDC Influenza Division describes swine flu - its signs and symptoms, how it's transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill. This video can also be viewed at http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/
Runtime: 5:48
300968 views
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curated content from YouTube
How to Avoid the Flu Without Taking the Vaccine
The main cause for contracting any sort of virus or flu is because our immune system has been compromised.In today's world, we want quick fixes and have no time to take care of our bodies. What I mean, is that we are more stressed than ever, we have poor eating habits, consumption of sugar, alcohol, caffeine are on the rise, we don't have time to exercise our bodies - as a result our bodies do not get the proper nutrition and our immune system is compromised leaving it vulnerable to attack.
I'm not going to make this section too long because I've already written a separate article to educate you on the importance of understanding and taking care of your immune system. Click the link below to learn more
-
Proper Nutrition, Diet, Exercise & Your Immune System
-
Understanding the function of your immune system will help you learn how to maximize its efficiency and reap long-term health benefits. Once you understand the importance of protecting your immune system, you will be able to take necessary steps to...
In Conclusion...
It is necessary to take precautions as outlined in this article to prevent from contracting or spreading the virus.
Being stressed and worried does not help the situation, if in doubt if you or your child are feeling sick, contact your local health care provider before rushing to the emergency. Unless of course, you see warning signs warranting to do so.
Take the time to live healthy lives by understanding the importance of nutrition, proper diet, exercise and your immune system. Stay healthy, stress-free, be thankful in everything, and of course, don't forget to laugh a lot! :)
Resources Available on Amazon
Influenza Overview including Pandemic Flu and H1N1 2009 (Swine) Flu
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 11/10/2009) 
List Price: $10.99
21st Century H1N1 Flu and Swine Pandemic Influenza Guidebook - CDC, FDA, NIH, USDA, DOD, OSHA, WHO, Homeland Security, Clinical Data and Guidelines, History of 1918 Spanish Flu (Two CD-ROM Set)
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $19.95
Global Time Bomb: Surviving the H1N1 Swine Flu Pandemic and Other Global Health Threats
Amazon Price: $14.35 (as of 11/10/2009)
List Price: $15.95
Updates on the H1N1 Flu
For more details on the H1N1 flu and current updates, click the links below:
Click Here for an Update on the H1N1 Flu
Click Here for Situation Updates Around the World
Info Source Credits for this Article:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; and
- Public Health Agency Canada
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Please share your comments here...your feedback is valuable to me...
andrew fitzsimon wrote
ten out of ten
Posted October 28, 2009
rhelena wrote...
Very nice lens with excellent advice on how to prevent it! I believe by following your advice we can all protect ourselves from this virus...without the vaccine.
Posted October 26, 2009
CongeeBoy wrote...
not very concerned about this swine flu. More concerned about the so called vaccine for the flu. The vaccine scares me more than the swine flu!
Posted September 07, 2009
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
Great advice on preventing the Swine Flu or flus and colds in general.
Lensrolled to Cover Your Cough.
Posted August 20, 2009
Laniann wrote...
Very well written with good practical advice. It is important to keep your immune system healthy. 5*s
Posted August 15, 2009
Photahsiamirabel wrote...
Great lens and 5*. The hand washing is pretty vital because cold and flu viruses are most often spread by rubbing infective agents into the eyes! Well done!
Posted August 14, 2009
BusyQueen wrote...
Thanks for sharing your Swine (H1N1) Flu knowledge.
It's well done. 5 *****'s
Posted August 04, 2009
LizMac60 wrote...
AJ I'm just going to keep laughing, Thanks for the advice. 5*
Posted August 03, 2009
KathyMcGraw wrote...
I just heard that the Swine Flu is still going strong in Europe so this was useful. Loved how you presented the info.....5'ed :)
Posted July 21, 2009
Rajays wrote...
Good and useful information that is well presented and easy to read. Blessed by a Squid Angel.
Posted July 10, 2009
diggyisking wrote...
Hey!
I love your layout on this lens, so clean and organised!
Thanks for your comment, I hope this swine flu never turns into a true pandemic.
Otherwise Im stocking up on a years worth of canned foods and not leaving my house:P
Posted June 28, 2009
AppalachianCountry wrote...
5 stars*****. Wonderful lens with great detail and info. Thank-you.
Posted June 26, 2009
by ajgodinho
WHO declared an H1N1 flu pandem... (more)
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