Swine Flu and the Pandemic Alert

Every year there is research into the flu, focusing on finding the strain that will be the most likely to reek havoc in our population. A vaccine is developed for the strain that appears to be the biggest threat. This years winner is not the swine flu, but this strain of flu is certainly in the news.
This flu is of the type A/H1N1, which is the type that is spread via coughing or sneezing, spreading airborne droplets of liquid. Is it contagious? Yes, most definitely, as is any other strain of influenza.
Does the swine flu mean that we should avoid eating pork? No, that is not the case. There is no concerns about using pork products in your diet, other than the reminder to cook your pork products properly and thoroughly.
There are many recommendations related to protecting ourselves from this flu. The most common is to wash your hands often, toss your tissues in the trash, and avoid close contact with those who have symptoms. But, since the swine flu and most other flus are airborne there is not much we can do to prevent contact.
You might want to contact your doctor if you have these symptoms: unusual fatigue, headache, a runny nose, aching body, coughing, and a high fever. Treatment is the same as for any other flu outbreak.
If you are thinking that the flu shot you received will protect you, well sorry you are out of luck. The vaccine is for a specific strain of influenza. It will take at least six months for a vaccine to be developed for this strain.
Are we looking at a pandemic with this new strain of the H1N1 virus known as the swine flu? The number of cases has grown, and with our travels the infestation is quickly spreading across multiple states in the U.S.
There are measures we can take in our daily lives to create a cleaner healthier environment, thereby reducing the risk of contracting any flu virus. Eating a healthy diet helps promote a stronger immune system. Anti-oxidants also support and promote better health. Using natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral supplements, both in your environment and in your personal health and hygiene, can wipe out a virus or flu before it takes hold.
Water purification drops have been used for decades to treat water supplies and reduce mold and mildew, such as the cleanup after hurricane Katrina. Learn more about the effectiveness of chlorine dioxide in its many applications in our home and our health. Swine flu is a virus, and we can fight back with a powerful anti-virus water treatment program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lydia_Peru

Swine Flu News - Why the Swine Flu is Considered So Dangerous

Because it is a new mutation of known viruses that can be found in three species of biological beings - man, pigs and birds - AND because the new virus seems to have a genetic code that is made from bits of the viruses from each of the three species, it is being taken seriously as a potentially dangerous new strain.
The evidence for this is the very high number of deaths recorded so far (around 9%at the time of writing) and the fact that young people also succumb to this flu, which is highly unusual. For these reasons, scientists and doctors all over the world agree that the risk of a lethal pandemic is very high.
Note that a swine flu epidemic refers to a national emergency and a swine flu pandemic to a world wide emergency.
It's important to note, this swine flu is treatable (and can be survived). It's resistant to two of four antiviral drugs approved for combating the flu: Symmetrel and Flumadine. But two newer antivirals - Tamiflu and Relenza - appear to work.
It becomes even more dangerous when people start taking the anti-viral drugs while not being sick. By the time they really catch that flu virus, the real thing, chances are the treatment will not be very effective anymore. This has probably something to do with the fact that you trained your body to get rid of the anti-viral chemicals.
Currently, labs all over the world are mapping the genome of this new flu virus. But scientists are also warning that this could be only the frontrunner of another "big" one, like the spanish flu, that killed over 100 million people all over the world in 1918 and 1919.
A virus will not be caught by eating pork meat, so there is also no risk of infection from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. The World Health Organization advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and to seek medical attention if one develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Theo Steward was concerned by the speed at which the swine flu has spread and so he set up a Swine Flu News page, where you can also read up on swine flu prevention tips and subscribe to a free newsletter to keep updated.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Theo_Steward

What is Ebola?

Origins. Ebola haemorrhagic fever (EHF) is a deadly virus originating in parts of Africa. This disease can be found in humans and non-human primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees), and has appeared sporadically since its initial recognition in 1976. The disease is caused by infection with Ebola virus, named after a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in Africa, where it was first recognised.

The Ebola virus comprises four distinct subtypes: Zaire, Sudan, Cote d'Ivoire and Reston. Three subtypes, occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and the Ivory Coast, have been identified as causing illness in humans. EHF is a febrile haemorrhagic illness which causes death in between 50 and 90 percent of all cases.

Symptoms. Ebola is often characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and, in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. The fever has an incubation period of two to 21 days. No specific treatment or vaccine is yet available. However, different from popular misconception, Ebola does not kill within a matter of hours, and the virus will incubate for up to two weeks before symptoms begin to occur.

Transmission. The Ebola virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people. Burial ceremonies where mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can play a significant role in the transmission of Ebola. Lack of access to proper sterilization and protective garments make nurses and doctors easy target while treating Ebola patients.

Treatment. By ingesting extract from a West African fruit, it was reported can help treat Ebola once it has been contracted; however, these have to be verified medically. Development of Ebola vaccine is still going on, and recently successful when applied to monkeys. There’s not yet human vaccine yields positive results. However, there are some improvements in the remedial treatment so far.