Health Blog

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Swine Flu Q&A

The scare over the swine flu is not that big of a deal anymore (at least from where I am standing) but it is far from over yet. For those who travel a lot, especially, the potential threat of this variant of the flu is still very much real. If you are still on the edge about swine flu, here are some key points which may help ease your mind.

Q: What are the symptoms of swine flu?
A: They are pretty much the same as the “normal” flu: headache, body aches, sore throat, runny nose, cough or respiratory symptoms, diarrhea, and vomiting. The most important symptom is fever (at least 38C or 100F). If you do not have a fever, then you most likely do not have the swine flu. Of course, if you do have a fever, it still does not mean that you have this flu variant. The only way to be sure is go get checked.

Q: Am I at risk of getting the swine flu?
A: Young children, pregnant women, and obese individuals may have a slightly higher risk of acquiring the swine flu. Individuals whose immune system may be weaker than normal (such as those who have another condition) may also be at a higher risk. If you belong to these groups, then yes, you may be at risk of getting the swine flu.

Q: Will a mask keep me safe from swine flu?
A: Not really, and definitely not if you do not practice good hygiene. Experts say that masks, even the high-filtration ones, will have very little benefit. You will be better off washing your hands a lot.

Originally posted on July 26, 2009 @ 2:11 am

More Than 100,000 Americans Infected With Swine Flu

swine_flu_0427That’s not an alarmist type of statement – it is true. This figure actually comes from the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which estimates the real number of cases all throughout the country as about 100,000. The fact is that they only have about 4,700 documented or reported cases as of Friday. As for the number of deaths, only five so far have been reported and attributed to swine flu.

The good news is that experts also say that this recent outbreak of swine flu is not as bad as it could be, and is in fact quite mild. AJC has this report:

Most cases of swine flu occurring in the United States appear to be mild, health officials said.

In fact, “estimates of the confirmed and probable cases in the United States is probably not the best indicator of transmission at this point,” the CDC’s Jernigan said. “The outbreak is not localized, but is spreading and appears to be expanding throughout the United States. This is an ongoing public health threat.”

Jernigan said there also seems to be more cases of flu generally in the United States — both the seasonal and the new H1N1 swine flu — than is usually seen at this time of the year. “There are 22 U.S. states that are reporting widespread or regional influenza activity, which is something that we would not expect at this time,” he said.

Mild or not, it is best to always be on the alert and to stay as healthy as possible.

Originally posted on May 17, 2009 @ 3:18 am

Good Hygiene Your Best Bet Against Swine Flu

wash-handsAt this point, most everyone I know is a bit paranoid about the swine flu. Even the slightest sign of the sniffles gets some of my friends alarmed. And why not? With even the Center for Disease Control saying that there might be more than 100,000 cases of swine flu all over the country, it is but understandable that people would be quite cautious. But this is what the experts say: there is nothing like good hygiene to keep you safe from the outbreak.

You see, as this strain of the flu is very new, there really is no vaccine against it. Even if you had the flu shots earlier this year or last year, it really is not a defense against swine flu. So here are some tips to keep it at bay:

*Be aware. If you know that there are swine flu cases in your area, then you can take the necessary precautions.

*Wash your hands often. The best way to go would be to use good old fashioned soap and water. If you are on the go a lot and you do not have access to water and soap all the time, carry a bottle of hand sanitizer with you AND use it often.

*Avoid or minimize contact with sick people. Whether they have swine flu or not, you do not want to take the risk. Coming down with some other bug is sure to weaken your immune system and you do not want that happening right now.

Originally posted on May 20, 2009 @ 3:20 am