SWINE FLU

-It is  also known as H1N1 flu.

 Swine flu, Pig and Hog flu is a respiratory disease caused by virus commonly found in pigs throughout the world. Most commonly it is due to H1N1 influenza subtype but sometimes H1N2, H3N1, and H3N2 can also be responsible. The major difference is that the current virus has strains of bird and pig viruses in it, and humans have very low or negligible immunity to it. That is what has made it more likely to become a pandemic virus (that can cause a global outbreak) as it could easily spread from human to human. 

Swine flu can look like a normal fever as its symptoms:-

•  Normal human influenza like cold and cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. If diagnosed earlier treatment can be done to avoid further complications.
• Swine flu A infection is diagnosed when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus i.e, within the first four to five days of illness (children may shed virus for ten days or longer).

 Preventions

1.Keeping hands clean is the most important step to avoid getting sick and spreading the H1N1 virus. Wash hands with clean water and hand soap.Rub hands together to form lather.

2.Warning! Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have the flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.

3.Check ingredient labels on over-the-counter cold and flu medications to see if they contain aspirin.

4.Children younger than 2 years of age should not be given over-the-counter cold medications without first speaking with a healthcare provider.

5.The safest care for flu symptoms in children younger than 2 years of age is using a cool-mist humidifier and a suction bulb to help clear away mucus.

How Swine flu infection be controlled at home and public places?

Infection Control at home

Infection control for non-hospitalized patient

1. Separation from others in single room if available.

2. The ill person should wear a mask.

3.The ill person should be encouraged to wash hand frequently and follow respiratory hygiene practices.

4. Utensils used by the ill person should be thoroughly washed with soap and water before use by other persons.

Infection Control at public places

1. Cover you mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze

2. Throwing used tissues and towels into the garbage or laundry

3. Staying home if you are unfortunate to contract the Swine Flu Virus

4. Public areas need to be kept cleaned and virus free because these are the places that the public spends most of their day. Children are at school.

Steps to Lessen the Spread of Flu in the Home ?

When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, the most important ways to protect yourself and others who are not sick are to:

1. Keep the sick person away from other people as much as possible make them place in a seperate room.

2. Remind the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.

3. Everyone in the household should clean their hands often,using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub

4. Ask your healthcare provider if household contacts of the sick person, particularly those contacts that may have chronic health conditions, should take antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) to prevent the flu.

Placement of the sick person

a. Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.

b. Unless necessary for medical care, persons with the flu should not leave the home when they have a fever or during the time that they are most likely to spread their infection to others (7 days after onset of symptoms in adults, and 10 days after onset of symptoms in children).

c. If persons with the flu need to leave the home (for example, for medical care), they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and wear a loose-fitting (surgical) mask if available.

d. Have the sick person wear a surgical mask if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons.

e. If possible, sick persons should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant.

Protect other persons in the home

a. The sick person should not have visitors other than caregivers. A phone call is safer than a visit.

b. If possible, have only one adult in the home take care of the sick person.

c. Avoid having pregnant women care for the sick person. (Pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and immunity can be suppressed during pregnancy).

d. All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub frequently, including after every contact with the sick person or the person’s room or bathroom.

e. Use paper towels for drying hands after hand washing or dedicate cloth towels to each person in the household. For example, have different colored towels for each person.

f. If possible, consideration should be given to maintaining good ventilation in shared household areas (e.g., keeping windows open in restrooms, kitchen, bathroom, etc.).

g. Antivirals can be used to prevent the flu, so check with your healthcare provider to see if some persons in the home should use antiviral medications.

Home Remedies:-

1. Take washed Tulsi leaves regularly in the morning.

2. Take few cloves of garlic.

3. Take vitamin C (Like Amla, Lemon, Orange)

4. Take a tsf of Aloe vera gel.

5.Try using Turmeric on daily.

6. Take Zinc 

Pay Attention:-

- Maintain a safe distance from people who are showing signs of nasal congestion or flu symptoms.
- Do no share food, glasses or forks.
- Open and ventilate enclosed rooms.
- Visit your doctor immediately if you experience sudden high fever and cough, with headache and muscle pain.
- Avoid sudden temperature change.
- Take fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A and C (Carrots,papaya, orange,lime lemon and pineapple).
-Swine flu is transmitted into the body through the mouth and nose. Frequently wash hands thoroughly with plenty of soap and water, especially before a meal, helps in preventing swine flu.

We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society. मुस्कान 

--MJN Corp..