The swine flu pandemic has given rise to all sorts of myths and misconceptions. On the one hand, many believe it is no different from a normal bout of flu, and merits little concern; on the other, some have worried that it will be as devastating as the influenza pandemics of 1918-19, which claimed almost as many lives as the world war which preceded it.

The reality lies somewhere between these two extremes. Swine flu is a genuine threat (it has claimed almost 8,000 lives worldwide), but it causes only mild problems in the majority of people it infects, and the risk of infection is limited provided you take proper precautions. This article aims to help you understand the origins and symptoms of swine flu, giving you all the information you need for complete peace of mind.

Where has it come from?

The current swine flu pandemic is not the first global outbreak of swine influenza – in fact there was a major outbreak as long ago as 1918, when pigs suffered almost as much as humans during the post-war health crisis. However the 2009 pandemic is a new strain, and is in fact a hybrid of five different flu viruses: North American avian influenza, human influenza, North American swine influenza and two swine influenza viruses typically found in Europe and Asia. The strain has both Eurasian and North American genes, suggesting it evolved through international travel and contact between sufferers of different viruses.

The outbreak is believed to have begun on factory farms in Veracruz, Mexico, although there is evidence that it first arose among Asian pigs before being transported to America in a human host. When the virus first came to prominence in March this year, the Mexicans tried desperately to keep a lid on it; however there was little they could do to counter the reality of daily global travel and constant cross-border migration, and the virus spread rapidly. In June, less than three months after the Mexicans noticed the virus, the World Health Organisaton declared swine flu a pandemic.

Thankfully, it now seems that swine flu virus activity may have peaked in the US and some European countries – however other countries are still reporting sharp increases, so we`re definitely not out of the woods.

What are the Symptoms

Even if you have the virus, there is a strong likelihood you will experience only mild symptoms; these include fever, sore throat, coughing, vomiting nausea or diarrhea. In the majority of cases, the virus will have passed within six days.

However, if you are currently pregnant, or suffer from asthma, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, pneumonia or neurodevelopmental conditions, your susceptibility increases sharply. Swine flu can cause severe health problems for people in these health brackets, so, if you do fall into one of these categories, it`s best to take proactive measures.

What do I do if I have it?

If you are showing mild symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat or diarrhea, there`s little you can do but shut your doors, close your windows and sit it out at home. It`s not as severe as the plagues of the seventeenth century, where the authorities barricaded the infected inside their homes and daubed red crosses on their doors; but you will have a better chance of stopping the spread of your symptoms if you stay away from crowded places such as gyms, shopping malls, bars, clubs and restaurants. And you`ve got an excuse to get out of school or work – every cloud has a silver lining!

If you are starting to feel more severe symptoms, or if you more vulnerable to the virus for the reasons given above, it is recommended that you seek out a course of anti-virals and antibiotics straight away; oseltamivir or zanamivir are highly recommended.

How do I stop it spreading to me?

There is no protection against seasonal flu by existing vaccines. A recent study made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that children had no preexisting immunity to the new strain however adults had some degree of immunity, particularly those over 60.

However a number of vaccines are available for swine flu: these include Pandemrix, ACAM-FLU-A, Fluzone, Influvac, Live attenuated (FluMist) and Optaflu. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to source the best available solution.

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Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/swine-flu-myths-and-misconceptions-1509890.html

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Preventing Swine Flu – Protecting Your Family FromThis Deadly Disease

Before the year 2009, it was very uncommon for people to contract swine influenza. to get the disease, it was necessary to have some kind of contact with pigs. But, in March of the current year, all that changed. It looked like individuals infected with swine flu had no contact with pigs. The disease had undergone a serious mutation and was being transmitted person to person.

Normally, after you have had a specific type of the flu, your body retains the antibodies to kill it in the future. This gives you an immunity to the illness. But the present type of swine influenza pathogen underwent a significant mutation. This mutation appears to be a totally new type of influenza. As a consequence, nobody is immune to the illness. And that’s why government officials are quite worried regarding the possibility of a worldwide swine flu pandemic and are concerned about preventing swine flu.

During an ordinary influenza season, the influenza pathogen is transmitted thru breathing droplets. These tiny droplets enter the atmosphere when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or breathes on you. The illness also spreads after you bit your eyes, nose, or mouth with the virus on your hands.That’s why preventing the disease is so very difficult.

In March and April 2009, lots of cases of the illness were reported in Mexico that were suspected or confirmed to be due to swine influenza. By April, over 100 deaths were attributed to the disease in Mexico and cases began to be reported within the U. S. The 1st cases came from the states of California and Texas. Since that time, reports of the illness are rapidly turning up throughout the contry.

Reports of suspected disease are also being reported in Canada, New Zealand, Spain, and many other parts of the world. Because many cases of the disease are not revealed, there are undoubtedly more infections than have been reported. And due to the fast spread of the disease, governments worldwide are concerned concerning preventing swine flu.

concerned concerning preventing swine flu and want to protect your family, download my guide on How To Reduce Your Risk Of Swine Flu Infection By ninety-eight%. Download the complete system at Preventing Swine Flu!

If you are worried about preventing swine flu and would like to ensure the security of your family, download my guide on How To Reduce Your Risk Of Swine Flu Infection By ninety-eight%. Download the complete system at Preventing Swine Flu!

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