Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-11-04, Page 12Page 12 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, November 4, 2009 117 What is 111111? 2009 H1N1, once referred to as "swine flu," is a new influenza virus first detected in people in the U.S. in April, 2009. It is now spreading person- to-person worldwide, in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza spreads. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic of 2009 H1N1 flu -- which is disinct from past versions of H1N1 in several ways --was underway. It is believed that the virus first made the leap to infecting humans in La Gloria, Mexico, about three hours outside Mexico City The disease was originally nicknamed swine flu because it is believed the virus that now infects hums originated in pigs, though the virus contains genes from swine, bird and human flu viruses. The flu viruses that spread among pigs aren't the same as human flu viruses. It is extremely rare for swine flu to Infect people. Those rare human cases that have occurred mainly affect people who have direct contact with pigs through their work. The current outbreak is different, though. It is caused by a virus that has •: mutated, allowing it to spread easily from person to person, creating an entirely new disease. To distinguish it from flu viruses that mainly infect pigs, and from the seasonal 'influenza H1N1 viruses that have been in circulation for many years, the CDC calls the virus "2009 H1N1 virus? /1n How is it spread? The new H1N1 swine flu virus spreads just like regular flu. It can be picked up directly from the cough or sneeze of an infected person, or simply by touching an object contaminated by the cough or touch of an infected person and then touching your eyes, mouth or nose. It's just one more reason why you should make washing your hands a regular habit, even when you're not ill. Incubation period: Between two and seven days. Immunity Many people have at least partial immunity to seasonal flu viruses through previous infections or vaccinations, But these viruses "drift" genetically -- meaning they change over time -- which is one reason why the flu vaccine has to be tweaked every year. But the new H1N1 virus is not the usual "drift variant" of H1N1. It's come to humans from a different evolutionary line. That means very few people have any natural immunity to the new H1N1. The normal seasonal flu shot offer's no protection against this new virus. cwt your tape measure. If you yet swine flu, you should stay at least 6 feet away from others to help them avoid getting sick. Check out how far aw . that is. •r y - Prevention tips Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Scrub for at least 20 seconds and rinse thoroughly. If soap and water are not available, wash your hands with an alcohol -based hand gel. Rub your hands together until the alcohol dries completely Avoid close contact (being within two metres) with people who have flulike symptoms. Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. If you have flu-like symptoms stay home until you've been symptom-free for 24 hours. Breastfeeding mothers with flu symptoms should express their breast milk and feed their child by other means. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water. H1N1 takes 2-3 days after Initial infection In the throat/ nasal cavity to pro- liferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. Clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water, or hydrogen peroxide. Blowing the nose softly once a day and swabbing both•nostriis with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C and Vitamin D tablets make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but In the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they can- not survive, proliferate or do any harm, How will you know if you have it? 111 Is it the cold or art How do you know if you have the flu or a cold? Doctors recommend taking your temperature as a first step. Symptoms such as nasal conges- tion, cough, aches and malaise are a part of colds, seasonal and H1N1 flu. But a common cold rarely has symptoms of fever above 101F . Flu symptoms, however, include an initial fever accompanied by body and muscle aches. Relatively few 2009 H1N1 flu cases have been seen in people over age 65. Flu viruses enter your body through the mucous membranes of your nose, eyes or mouth. Who Is mist at` Certain groups are at higher risk than others of eicperiendng severe, and sometimes deadly, symptoms If they get the flu. People in these groups should seek medical care as soon as they get flu symptoms. Pregnant women are six times more likely to have severe flu disease than women who are not pregnant. Young children, especially those under 2 years of age. People with cardiovascular conditions (except high blood pressure), People with liver problems. People with kidney problems. People with blood disorders, including sickle cell disease. People with neurological disorders. People with neuromuscular disorders. People with metabolic disorders, including diabetes. People with immune suppression, including HIV patients, those taking_ anti-rejection drugs for transplants or cancer patients. Residents of a nursing home or other chronic -care facility, If you know of an H1N1 outbreak in your area and you begin to experience any of the outlined symptoms, you may have contracted the virus. But that doesn't mean that any old case of the sniffles is a reason to panic, If you suspect anything, though, it's best to see your doctor. Your doctor may or may not test you for the new H1N1 virus by taking samples from your nose or throat and sending the cultures off to a lab. The symptoms of the new H1N1 gu are Orig. to seasonal flu, but may include additional symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.