Shashwith Uthappa asked:

Yes, you must’ve heard it already. Spine Flu is no more a virgin word. It’s caused by spine influenza virus that usually affects pigs. However, the new swine flu having prospective ecumenical affects is a new strain of virus, H1N1 strain, A type, containing genes of the swine influenza.

News is spreading like wild fire with warning that the swine flu can be transmitted via aerial droplets, for example when sneezing, or via saliva or *****. Clinical symptoms generally seen are: fever, widespread pain, fatigue, nose catarrh and cough.

There have been cases in Mexico reported to have human-to-human transmission. Although many countries have been controlling airplanes to stop the virus from turning into an epidemic, there was a 25 year old man tested positive in Hong Kong recently.

Although it was said that the virus might not touch Asia, Hong Kong has gone frantic with its attempts to isolate the person affected and give him appropriate treatment. They have actually tried tracking down every person who possibly had contact with the man while his travel from Mexico via Shanghai.

There were two taxi drivers who assisted the Mexican and if they are infected and they don’t appear, there shall be bad consequences. It’s a critical time in Hong Kong.

The attendants in the hotels where the Mexican was staying were quarantined for seven days. It is however an international joke that the Metropark hotel has been locked up even though most people in the hotel have not even contacted with the infected man and overseas tourist are under vigilance for seven days.

China is soon to suspend all flights from Mexico to avoid further prospective infects. These frenetic preventive steps are because they’ve been through a painful epidemic with painful nostalgia carrying it, the SARS breakout which had taken away many innocent lives in its vicious circle.

Gearing up to fight the disease with ****** masks in restaurants and on public transport, the spirit of the city hasn’t dampened as it hasn’t canceled any concerts and shows that are scheduled to happen in Hong Kong. Prevention is surely better than cure, but there isn’t any harm having fun while prevention. Don’t you think?

The recent swine flu outbreak in Mexico has caused much trepidation among the international community, especially because of the increasing number of fatalities. It is important to recognize swine flu symptoms to prevent the spread of infection and illness.

Swine flu or swine influenza is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza type A virus, endemic in domestic pigs. In the past, swine flu has infected people only rarely – those infected being ones who have had direct and close contact to infected pigs. But the current swine flu outbreak in Mexico is different, caused by a new strain of the swine flu virus. As per recent health reports, swine flu is being transmitted with surprising speed in humans, spreading easily from person to person, causing serious illness among those infected. It has been reported that the disease has been diagnosed in humans who haven’t had any exposure to pigs.

Among pigs, swine flu symptoms include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulties, redness or inflammation of the eye, going off feed, and discharge from the nose or eyes.

Like the influenza virus affecting humans, swine flu viruses are constantly mutating. Although the swine flu viruses are not the same as human flu viruses, swine flu symptoms resemble those produced by regular human seasonal influenza. In humans, common swine flu symptoms are fever, chills, sore throat, muscle pain, severe headache, coughing, lethargy, lack of appetite, weakness, and general discomfort. Some may even experience runny or stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

However in humans, self care measures and appropriate treatment in the early stages of infection can reduce the increased risk of these complications. In order to confirm that the illness is the result of a swine flu virus, one must undergo laboratory testing. Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza are considered effective for the treatment and/or prevention of infection by swine flu viruses.
Eric Kampel asked:

The swine flu is the thing what we are mostly discussed in these days and most of the people are really interested to get knowing what this is. According to the scientific explanation, swine flu is a virus which was originated with the swine and now it has spread to the humans also. They have named this virus as Swine influenza (H1-N1) and still remain as a critical virus category. Because of that, still there are not vaccines in order to prevent from the infection and the only thing we can do is control the spread of it.

If you are really interest and concern on stopping the spread, then there few basic things you can follow through.  As an example, it is always better to cover up your nose and mouth while you’re sneezing and when going near to a person who is sneezing or coughing, the reason is that this virus can be spread through the air and you need to take all possible precautions to stop it.

Also if you are feeling not well and sick, then it is always better to get the immediate medical attention as it can be the beginning of the swine flu. Since it is the beginning, the doctors can do some little more in order to keep your situation under control till they find a proper solution for the virus.

However the doctors has identified that there are no specific symptoms for this swine virus and the symptoms are same as normal flu. So if you are having heavy headache, fever , chilling, body ache, vomiting, diarrhea and any other symptom with relevant to the normal flue, it is always recommended to get medical attention and try to cover up your mouth & nose always. So it will be a great help to prevent the virus being spread.

Since this virus is originated with the swine, the doctors and scientists are still doing their investigations in order to find a proper cure for the virus. So the state government has given the full support for this process as they have understood the gravity of the situation.

Also most of the meat processors have stopped producing pork due to this situation and the market also refusing pork. So it is a good point to avoid the spread of virus and it needs to be controlled accordingly. However the farmers have taken necessary precautions to keep the swine away from the other animals and the foods available at the farm to assure the safety from the swine flu. However by the time of now, few infected people have died due to the swine flu and it is a good point to understand the critical condition of this situation. Because of that, the scientists and the doctors work with their maximum capacity in order to find a proper solution for this critical virus. So the people are awaiting a very good solution in the very near future.

John Stone asked:

Swine Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of swine 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. Symptoms of Swine flu may including all or some of the following:

Fever Muscle aches Lethargy Coughing Headache Sore throat Runny nose Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Lack of appetite Complications Of Swine Flu

Those at higher risk of catching influenza in general include those with the following:

* Age of 65 years or older

* Chronic health problems (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)

* Pregnant women

* Young children

But the past epidemics and pandemics of flu have shown that during pandemics most people that are affected are healthy young adults.

Complications of Swine Flu can include:

* Pneumonia

* Bronchitis

* Sinus infections

* Ear infections

* Death

Transmission of Swine Flu (How is Swine Flu spread?)

As with other flu like illnesses, Swine flu is spread as follows:

Coughing Sneezing Kissing Touching infected objects Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands Swine flu does not spread by eating pork. Treatment of Swine Flu Swine Flu Vaccination / Swine Flu Shot

The protective ability of influenza vaccines depends primarily on the closeness of the match between the vaccine virus and the epidemic virus, so the presence of non reactive H3N2 SIV variants suggests that current commercial vaccines might not effectively protect pigs from infection with a majority of H3N2 viruses. The current vaccine against the seasonal influenza strain H1N1 is thought unlikely to provide protection. The director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said that the United States’ cases were found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses—North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza A virus subtype H1N1, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe.

Gelsemium. [Gels]

This remedy corresponds to the commencement of the trouble, when the patient is weak, tired and aches throughout the body. It removes speedily the intense aching and muscular soreness. There is constant chilliness and the patient hugs the fire; the fever is less acute than that of Aconite, and the cough is hard and painful. There are paroxysms of sneezing with excoriating discharge, and great torpor and apathy. An extensive experience with this remedy in the great Epidemic of 1918 proved its usefulness. Simple cases were speedily cured. Aconite will sometimes prove the better remedy for children, but the drug will never be a prominent one in influenza. Still it may be prescribed when indicated; it will, perhaps, soothe and moderate the subsequent attack, but its action is not quick here as in simple fevers, as we have to do with a blood affection.

#Baptisia.

Influenza with marked gastro-intestinal symptoms may need this remedy, especially when there are present putrid diarrhoea stools. Clarke considers this remedy the nearest specific for the disease; he prefers the 30th potency. Hughes also praises it, but uses it in the 1x and 2x dilutions, which seem to have more extensive testimony as to their efficacy.

#Eupatorium perfoliatum.

This remedy has much soreness and aching of the entire body; hoarseness and cough, with great soreness of the larynx and upper respiratory tract. Coryza with thirst and drinking causes vomiting. The cough is a very shattering one, hurts the head and chest, and as in Drosera, the patient holds the chest with the hands. The breakbone pains are characteristic of the remedy. Add to these symptoms acute bilious derangements, and it is all the more indicated. Many physicians rely on this remedy in influenza / flu almost exclusively in the early stages.

#Sabadilla. [Sabad]

Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and lachrymation on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the pain is worse on empty swallowing; the sneezing is excessive, shaking the whole body. Shudderings, with gooseflesh chills creeping upwards, are also prominent symptoms. Frontal headache, dryness of mouth, without thirst and cough, worse on lying down, are additional symptoms. It suits well many cases of the catarrhal form of flu; other remedies having sneezing are Cyclamen and Euphorbia.

#Arsenicum. [Ars]

This remedy covers more phases of flu than perhaps any other remedy. Hughes believes that it will cut short an attack, especially when there is a copious flow, prostration and paroxysmal coryza. Its periodicity makes it suitable to epidemics, and it suits the early symptoms when the affection is in the upper portion of the respiratory tract. The burning dryness and copious watery excoriating secretion and the involvement of the conjunctiva are unmistakable indications. Langour and prostration are prominent symptoms.

#Arsenicum iodide.

Chills, flushes of heat and severe fluent coryza, discharge irritating and corrosive, sneezing and prostration. It corresponds to true influenza and is highly recommended by Hale. Sanguinaria nitrate is especially valuable when the trachea and larynx are affected. Phytolacca. Specific when the throat is inflamed and spotty, with great hardness and tenderness of the glands.

#Dulcamara. [Dulc]

This is one of our best remedies in the acute form; the eyes are suffused, the throat is sore and the cough hurts because of the muscular soreness. If brought on by damp, cold changes in the weather, so much the surer is Dulcamara indicated.

#Bryonia.

The trouble here is largely bronchial and going down. When a person is very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, this remedy is likely to be useful. Headache, muscle aches, and cough or stomach pain may be the major symptoms. Everything feels worse from even the slightest motion. The person’s mouth usually is dry, with a thirst for long cold drinks.

#Phosphorus may be indicated, especially when the trouble moves towards the chest. It is a very useful remedy for the debility following la grippe, as it is usually of the pure nervous type. It is the great post-influenza “tonic.”

#Allium cepa. [All-c]

Profuse catarrhal coryza; the nose runs freely, there is sneezing, irritability cough, the face is swollen and looks inflamed. Camphora. This remedy is often sufficient at the outset to cut short an attack, or at least modify the severity.

#Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]

Influenza, with severe aching in all the bones, sneezing and coughing. The cough is worse evenings and is caused by a tickling behind the upper part of the sternum. Especially is it useful in cases brought on by exposure to dampness. There is much prostration and depression, and the patient may have some symptoms which are suspicious as pointing towards typhoid fever, such as burning tongue, stupor and delirium. Aching pains, nightly restlessness are keynotes symptoms. Causticum, like both Rhus and Eupatorium, has a tired, sore, bruised sensation all over the body and soreness in the chest when coughing, but it has in addition involuntary ********* when coughing.#Sticta. [Stict]

Nasal catarrh; headache, thirst, nightly expectoration, great watering of eyes,running at nose, hoarseness of voice, frontal headache and depression of whole system. Tuberculous subjects attacked by influenza. “There is no better remedy,” says Dr. Fornias,”for the incessant wearing, racking cough of this class of patients.” Tuberculinum is an excellent prevention of recurring attacks of influenza /flu in those who have annual attacks.

#Ipecac

Adapted to cases where the gastric symptoms predominate; tongue clean or slightly coated. Nausea: with profuse saliva; vomiting of white, glairy mucus in large quantities, without relief; sleepy afterwards; worse from stooping. Low thirst. Cough: dry spasmodic, constricted, asthmatic. Difficult breathing from least exercise; violent dyspnoea, with wheezing and anxiety about the stomach. Cough, with rattling of mucus in bronchi when inspiring; threatened suffocation from mucus. Pains as if bones were all torn to pieces.

#Veratrum album

Adapted to diseases with rapid sinking of the vital forces; complete prostration; collapse. Cold perspiration on the forehead (over entire body, Tab. ); with nearly all complaints. Thirst: intense, unquenchable, for large quantities of very cold water and acid drinks; wants everything cold. Diarrhoea: frequent, greenish, watery, gushing: mixed with flakes: cutting colic, with cramps commencing in hands and feet and spreading all over; prostrating, after fright; < least movement; with vomiting, cold sweat on forehead during and prostration after. Vomiting: excessive with nausea and great prostration: < by drinking ( Ars. ); by least motion ( Tab. ); great weakness after.

Swine Flu Symptoms

DR HARSHAD RAVAL MD HOMEOPATHY asked:

robert orr asked:

Everyone by now has probably seen the news stories and heard of the fatalities caused by Swine flu.

It appears that we now face a swine flu pandemic, that means that outbreaks are being seen across the world.

But what exactly is and how can we protect ourselves.

Swine flu is a form of influenza that started in pigs but can be caught by, and spread among, people.

The current outbreak, human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses has been confirmed in the US, jobs.pharmacy-bg.com/tag/canada/”title=”canada” >Canada, the UK, and other countries.

Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen often in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, though infections do occasionally happen. Recently, most human cases of swine influenza have been in people who were in close contact with pigs, such as farmers. In the current outbreak the virus has been spread by person-to-person contact.

This has caused concern that the outbreak could become a pandemic flu - a global outbreak of flu that spreads quickly because it is a new type of virus that few of us have any resistance to.

The normal type of flu ,usually called seasonal flu caused by an existing flu virus, is a common infection in the that usually occurs during the winter. For most people, it is an unpleasant but not life-threatening infection. People who are more at risk from it, such as older people or those weakened by illness can be given a flu vaccination.

The single most effective way to stop or slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu is to prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze this is advice that has been given for many years by is still a very effective way to help you avoid spreading or contracting swine flu,also remember if you or a family member are ill or have the swine flu symptoms it

Is much better to stay at home away from work or school and thus reduce the risk of spreading the infection.

Its also worth noting that swine flu cannot be caught by eating pork or other pig related foodstuffs.

There is also no need for panic we do have effective treatments antiviral drugs are effective against swine flu if you are suffering flu symptoms visit your doctor or pharmacist who will be able to prescribe the correct medication.

Those most at risk are young children older people and those with underlying medical conditions.

Remember wash your hands regularly with soap and water cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze and stay away from work or school if you have flu symptoms and always seek professional medical advice.

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