Health Articles - Latest Health News On Accessrx

Swine Flu Symptoms

The Admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:24:00 GMT

The H1N1 “Swine” Flu has received a lot of media coverage, but what are the symptoms? Is it really different than the regular flu? The good news is that you probably already know what the flu looks or feels like. Symptoms of the regular, seasonal flu include fever, headache, chills, body aches, cough and/or sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose. The symptoms for H1N1 are exactly the same, but may also include vomiting and diarrhea. However, H1N1 symptoms are more severe. For example, the fever may be higher than 104, the headache may be so severe as to limit function, and the cough may be nearly constant.

Get medical attention right away if you:

1. Have difficulty breathing or chest pain

2. Have purple or blue discoloration of your lips

3. Are vomiting and unable to keep liquids down, or

4. Show signs of dehydration, such as feeling dizzy when standing or being unable to urinate

Despite the fear of this disease, the outlook depends on the severity of the infection, age, and whether there are other medical problems. Pregnant women and young people appear more likely to get the H1N1 virus and also to have bad outcomes when they become infected. Surprisingly, people age 65 or older have a lower risk than younger age groups.

For more information, visit: * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu * World Health Organization - www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Differences Between Genital Warts and Genital Herpes

The Admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Reviewed by: Daniel Williams, MD

Genital lesions can take many forms. Warts and small, fluid-filled bumps (like pimples) known as vesicles are very different in appearance.

Genital warts tend to be slow-growing, irregular in shape and are often as wide as they are tall. Most of the time they are painless, but irritation can arise from physical contact such as clothing abrasions. The vast majority of genital warts are due to Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is typically sexually transmitted. Some types of HPV can lead to skin cancer, even in men, and all types are contagious through physical contact. Otherwise, the warts themselves don’t cause trouble unless they grow to annoying sizes.

Genital herpes is also from a virus known as Herpes Virus. While there are different types of herpes viruses, the most common is Herpes Simplex II. Often, patients know when they contract this sexually transmitted disease because they will have a flu-like syndrome within 24 hours of sexual activity and can have genital lesions that are painful. The herpes lesion typically hurts and forms many raised, pinpoint, fluid-filled bumps (vesicles). The individual vesicles can last for days or weeks and can be brought on by stress or illness. These lesions are full of the virus and the affected area needs to be kept clean and dry as much as possible.

There are numerous other causes of genital lesions, such as syphilis, cancer, contact dermatitis, “heat rash”, impetigo, fungal infections, or a host of other dermatological diseases. It is important that a physician correctly diagnose your genital lesions for an accurate diagnosis.

If you already have a known diagnosis of genital herpes or HPV warts you want to reduce the number of lesions and breakouts for either type of infection. Anti-viral medications such as Valtrex and Acyclovir can help reduce the number of herpes outbreaks and their severity. They can be ordered online through www.AccessRX.com securely and through their U.S.-licensed physicians. Just be prepared to fill out a medical questionnaire.

Danger of Women Taking Viagra

The Admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:35:00 GMT

Reviewed by: Daniel Williams, MD

Because Viagra was developed for men, not much is known about the potential side effects if women were to begin taking it. There are, however, several logical conclusions about the risks and benefits for women that we can make bases on existing knowledge. Let me explain.

In medicine, physicians make thousands of small decisions per day – many of them are cost-benefit decisions. Does this medication’s potential benefit outweigh the known risks? This is the million-dollar question. When it comes to women taking Viagra, not much is known at all about the benefits. So physicians that prescribe this medication to women are doing so outside of the approval of the FDA.

The side effects of Viagra have been described for men and it is very possible that women might experience different symptoms and unwanted effects. It would be expected that many of the side effects would be the same for both sexes, such as runny nose, stuffy nose, mild headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, facial flushing (reddening of the face), blurry vision, and a temporary blue-tint or haze in vision. Rare, transient blindness and deafness have also been reported.

More serious side effects occur when Viagra is taken in combination with certain other cardiovascular medications such as beta-blockers and nitrates. The blood pressure can drop precipitously and be very difficult to regain, even under ideal conditions.

An indirect danger to women taking Viagra is that no physician expects women to be taking Viagra. The point here is that no Emergency Physician would suspect that an unconscious, female heart attack victim has taken Viagra. Because nitrates and beta-blockers are given for myocardial infarctions, there is potential for a deadly medication interaction.

In summary, there appears to be all risk and no validated benefit for women taking Viagra. It is an area of current and future study so let’s revisit this question in a few years.

About the author

Dr. Daniel Williams, MD, is part of the AccessRx.com medical writing and editing team. Dr. Williams has been on advancing multimedia healthcare education and developing medical education and career web sites.

Why you should not take Viagra with heart problems

The Admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:25:00 GMT

Men with heart problems or heart disease are generally advised not to use Viagra because of the dangers involved with patients with those underlying medical conditions. The active ingredient in Viagra is Sildenafil, which is well known to have two very dangerous side effects in patients that have heart disease. Primarily, Sildenafil is known to lower the blood pressure, sometimes causing severe and sudden drops in blood pressure. Second, Sildenafil interacts with nitrates. While the decrease in blood pressure caused by the active ingredient in Viagra has not proven to be particularly hazardous to patients with heart disease, there is a profound danger when the combination is mixed with nitrates.

The combination of a drop in blood pressure that results from taking Viagra is dangerous in patients that are given nitrates as part of the treatment of their heart disease (specifically coronary artery disease). Patients who are taking both nitrates and Viagra are at a high risk to experience severe bouts of low blood pressure (formally called hypotension) and also incidents of fainting. If a patient is treated with nitrates, they should never take Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction. Similarly, Viagra should not be taken within 24 hours of a patient taking nitrates.

Without the use of nitrates, Viagra appears to have very little, if any, impact on the rate of heart attacks in men. However, in men who do take nitrates to treat heart disease, Viagra has very real potential to cause a heart attack. Thus, it is well established that men who have coronary heart disease may safely take Viagra so long as they do not take nitrates as part of their treatment. For men who are currently being treated with nitrates for heart disease and who suffer from erectile dysfunction, there are many new alternative treatments that can be discussed with your doctor in order to find an alternate treatment to nitrates. The bottom line is that it is not the underlying heart disease that is unsafe with Viagra; it is the use of nitrates to treat heart disease that is a lethal mix with Viagra. Talking to your doctor and understanding your options is the first step to finding a way to successfully treat both heart disease and erectile dysfunction at the same time.

Please consult with your doctor first before taking Viagra. If your doctor feels it's safe for you to take Viagra, then you can either purchase Viagra online at a reputable pharmacy or through your local pharmacy.

Impotence Treatment's Available for Men

The Admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:57:00 GMT

Reviewed by: Daniel Williams, MD

We need to first be clear about how we are defining "impotence". It is the partial or complete inability to achieve or maintain a satisfying erection.

Many different diseases and events can cause impotence. The three main ways are via the nerves, blood vessels, and the human mind. Nerve disorders can be caused from trauma, mass lesions or congenital abnormalities that inhibit the normal function of the nerves responsible for achieving and maintaining an erection. Mental stressors such as performance anxiety, interpersonal relationship problems, and shame can all contribute to impotence as well.

Of all the causes of impotence, medicines work best for vascular causes. In the case of erectile dysfunction, drugs such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis improve blood flow to the penis and contribute to impotence as well.

Of all the causesof impotence, medicines work best for vascular causes. In the case of erectile dysfunction, durgs such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis improve blood flow to the penis and contribute to a satisfying erection. In fact, over 50% of men ages 40-70 have, even with the most severe cases of erectile dysfunction have been shown to get relief! Patients taking Viagra have reported 41-65% satisfaction with the vast majority enjoying an improved sex life after only a few months. These are people that spent years suffering from erectile dysfunction, many fo them embarrassed to tell their physicians.

We also know that at least 58% of men that experience symptoms of erectile dysfunction and impotence never tell their physicians in office visits. What if you could do it discretely and from the privacy of your own home? You can.

Right now you can buy Viagra online and other medications from AccessRX.com and a U.S. licensed physician will write a prescription for you. It's nver been so easy to have this sensitive issue addressedl!

Tips for Buying Viagra Online Without a Prior Prescription

The Admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:58:00 GMT

Reviewed by: Daniel Williams, MD

These days, you can order Viagra and other Erectile Dysfunction medications from the privacy of your own home. These medications require a licensed U.S. physician to write a prescription, and AccessRx.com has integrated this into their online and phone ordering procedure.

Before you place your order, here are some tips that will help make it easier for you:

MEDICAL HISTORY: It is a good idea to gather all of your medical history into one place. Whether you order online or over the phone, AccessRx.com needs to provide the physician with specific information such as: all medications you are taking (including supplements), as well as your medical conditions/problems, allergies and more. Websites that provide prescription medications without a comprehensive medical questionnaire are not legitimate online pharmacies.

SAFETY CONCERNS: Verify that your online pharmacy uses only brand-name medications – not illegal, counterfeit “generic equivalents.” If you verify that your online pharmacy is based in the U.S., you drastically reduce the odds that you will receive “generic” drugs that are actually medications manufactured with no regulations or oversight in countries such as China and India. For instance, there is no legal “generic” form of Viagra in the U.S. because the medication is under patent by Pfizer until 2012. Counterfeit drugs can potentially be very harmful.

SECURITY CONCERNS: Be sure that you utilize an online pharmacy with a secure ordering platform to prevent fraud and identity theft. For instance, the website should have a “Secure Certified” seal such as the one found at AccessRx. You can click on to the seal to see the strict security requirements that are maintained by the site. Also try to verify how long the website has existed – the longer the better.

GETTING A PRESCRIPTION: Due to the fact AccessRx.com is located in the U.S., provides only brand-name prescriptions written and filled by U.S. doctors and pharmacists, and maintains a secure user interface, you can purchase with confidence. Click on “Viagra” or any other medicine you need. Place an order for it, and then fill out a complete medical questionnaire for the physician to review.

AccessRx.com has been in business for more than 10 years and has received more than 250,000 orders. All medications are guaranteed to be authentic and FDA-approved. All drugs are brand-name with the exception of Acyclovir, an affordable generic alternative to the much more expensive Zovirax (for herpes).

Men with Diabetes Have a Higher Rate of Getting ED, Why?

The Admin — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:08:00 GMT

Men with diabetes frequently have more trouble getting an erection and have a great incidence of erectile dysfunction then men who do not have diabetes. The fundamental difference between men with and without diabetes is blood flow. Men with diabetes suffer diabetes-related damage to blood vessels through the body, including those which supply blood flow to the penis.

Additionally, poorly controlled diabetes can lead to pervasive nerve damage throughout the body, especially in the feet and other extremities. Diabetes also increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and artery diseases such as atherosclerosis.

Studies show that about 75% of adults who have diabetes also have some form of artery or blood vessel disease as well. This leads to the issue of restricted blood flow to the body, including the penis, thus contributing to the high incidents of erectile dysfunction in men with diabetes.

Blood Flow Problems with Diabetes

Like heart disease and stroke, diabetes is an illness that damages or impairs blood flow in the body and will have a negative impact of the ability of the blood to flow to the penis and for a man to get an erection. The correlation between general health and erectile function is also high – not just for men with diabetes, but any man who neglects his body may exhibit signs and symptoms or erectile dysfunction.

From men who are obese, who smoke or drink in excess or who abuse drugs, the neglect often reflects in overall vitality and mental, sexual and physical wellbeing. Controlling bad or destructive habits is essential to maintaining overall wellbeing and sexual health – for all men.

Diabetes Can Lead to Erectile Dysfunction

Men with diabetes have it that much harder, because in addition to the general welfare considerations and lifestyle changes they must make, they must also be diligent about controlling their blood sugar. Adult onset diabetes (type 2) can lead to very serious complications in not properly controlled.

Erectile dysfunction is a frequent side effect of diabetes, but there are also life-threatening conditions that can result from failing to properly address diabetes issues. If diligent and constant, many men find that they are able to keep their diabetes under control and, sometimes with the help of medication, keep their erectile dysfunction at bay.

Read an interesting article on Why Men Don't Talk About Erectile Dysfunction in the AccessRx.com health article section. This article will help you address common issues when talking to your physician about Erectile Dysfunction.

About the Author: Rich Bernstein is a professional health writer who specializes in Men's Health & Telemedicine.

New To AccessRx? Read This Helpful Overview

The Admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:46:00 GMT

Reviewed by: Daniel Williams, MD

As you may have noticed, many websites that offer online medications leave out important details about their businesses, such as where they are located, where they get their medications, and more.

AccessRx.com, on the other hand, wants consumers to understand as much as possible about our website, our processing company, our U.S.-licensed doctors and our U.S.-licensed pharmacists. This article will explain how they all work together, safely and securely, for the benefit of our patients.

Not All Online Pharmacies Are the Same

AccessRx.com is often marketed as an “online pharmacy” on the internet because that’s what consumers believe they are searching for. The truth of the matter is, AccessRx.com does not manage or own pharmacies or clinics.

AccessRx.com is a unique model compared to CVS or Walgreens online pharmacies, for example. With CVS and Walgreens, a patient must already have a prescription in hand to obtain medication. With AccessRx.com, a prior prescription is not necessary. Independent doctors will consider a request for a prescription from AccessRx.com if a patient provides the necessary health and medical information. A patient must also have recently visited with his/her local doctor for a check-up.

AccessRx Has Passed Secure Medical's Certification Program

AccessRx.com is a marketing tool, as well as a facilitator for the purchase of online medications. Secure Medical provides the backbone of support for AccessRx.com with regard to customer service, processing, technical assistance and secure data centers. Secure Medical, located in Tempe, Arizona, USA, has been in business since 1999.

Secure Medical has provided AccessRx.com with its “Secure Certified” seal, which means this website has passed a stringent set of certification standards. One requirement is that AccessRx business operations must be located in the United States.

AccessRx.com collects all necessary information from a consumer who places an order for certain prescription medications (via online questionnaire or over the phone), and this information is stored in a secure data center. This information is then ready to be accessed by U.S.-licensed doctors who partner with AccessRx.com.

Doctors and Pharmacies

The specific doctor who considers a prescription is determined by the location of the person who places the order. The name of the doctor who writes an approved prescription is placed on the label of the medication as stipulated by law, along with the pharmacy, which brings us to the next step.

The U.S.-licensed pharmacies that AccessRx.com partners with exist completely independent of AccessRx.com. In order to expedite shipping and reduce costs for our patients, these pharmacies are located in various regions of the U.S. Medications are shipped to patients directly from the pharmacy. Approved prescription requests are typically written and shipped the same day if received by 1 p.m. EST.

AccessRx.com provides FDA-approved, brand-name medications. (FDA-approved Acyclovir, the generic for Zovirax, is the lone exception. It is provided due to the fact the cost for Zovirax is exorbitant.) You receive a lot number and expiration date with each product. These can be verified with the manufacturers.

Consumers who have questions about our medications, procedures or any other topic are invited to contact us at 1-800-467-0297. If our customer-service team cannot answer your questions, a doctor or pharmacist will provide the information, and they will speak with you directly if necessary.

To order medications on AccessRx.com, simply click on a product listed on the left side of the screen. Or, read more helpful health articles.

About the Author: Rich Bernstein is a professional health writer who specializes in Men's Health & Telemedicine.

75 Things You Should Know About Swine Flu

The Admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:07:00 GMT

1) Vaccine For Pigs

A vaccine is available for pigs. The vaccine, which is readily available, will prevent the swine flu in pigs.

2) But No Vaccine For People

A vaccine is not available for humans. If you receive the seasonal influenza vaccine, it may provide some protection against the swine HSN2 virus, but it will not offer any protection against the H1N1 virus.

3) Signs in Pigs

Infected pigs show signs of the flu including sudden fever, coughing and a runny discharge from the eyes and nose. The pig may have difficulty breathing and have a loss of appetite.

4) Depression in Pigs

Infected pigs may suffer from depression. How to tell if a pig is depressed may be a challenge.

5) Human Symptoms

If you become infected with the swine flu, your symptoms may include a fever, loss of appetite and coughing. You may become lethargic. In addition, you may have a sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea, and a feeling of nausea. See your doctor quickly if you have these symptoms.

6) The Flu Pandemic Of 1918

The last major flu pandemic in the United States took place in 1918. An estimated 675,000 Americans died of influenza during the pandemic, ten times as many as in the world war. It infected 28% of all Americans (Tice).

7) Level 5 Threat

On April 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised its level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 4 to Phase 5. The maximum alert level is 6, which is a full-blown pandemic.

8) It’s A Global Issue

As of May 4, 2009, the WHO reported 21 countries had officially reported 1,085 cases of Swine Flu, or influenza A (H1N1) infection.

9) Natural Immunity

Humans are believed to have some level of natural immunity to the swine flu.

10) Compared To The Spanish Flu

Scientists feel the swine flu lacks the DNA traits of the Spanish flu.

11) Contagious From Human To Human

The swine flu spreads easily from human to human. This is unlike other strains of animal flu.

12) Hygiene Helps

Good hygiene will reduce the chances of contracting the swine flu. Wash your hands often using soap and water. Also use gel hand sanitizer after you come into contact with people or public objects.

13) Mutating Virus

While Tamiflu seems to combat the swine virus at this time, scientists are concerned that the virus may mutate. If this happens, Tamiflu may no longer be effective. The antiviral medicine Tamiflu is well stocked around the world. Most countries have an abundant supply and the drug is readily available.

14) Discovered In 1930

The swine flu virus was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

15) Not Present In The U.S. Until 1988

While the swine flu was first isolated in 1930, it was not present in the U.S. until 1988.

16) It Is Seasonal

Like the human flu season, the swine flu is seasonal. The peak season for swine flu in pigs is late fall and winter.

17) Does It Kill Pigs?

The death rate in pigs as a result of the swine flu is very low although the virus does cause a high level of illness in pigs.

18) There Are 4 Strains Of The Virus

The most common strain of the swine flu is the H1N1 virus. However, three other strains have been isolated in pigs: H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1.

19) Can We Catch It From Pigs?

Humans do not normally contract the swine flu however direct exposure to infected pigs can lead to an infection. You should avoid contact with pigs at the county fair or petting zoos, etc.

20) Previous Outbreak In Pigs In 1988
In 1988, there was an outbreak of the swine flu in pigs. The disease spread to humans although it was contained to a small group.

21) Recent Cases In Humans

Over the past four years, the CDC reported only 12 cases of human-swine influenza.

22) Can You Contract the Virus From Eating Pork?

You will not contract the swine flu virus from eating pork. The virus is not transmitted by consuming food. Properly cooking pork to the recommended internal temperature of 160 degrees will kill the swine flu virus.

23) Outbreak Of 1976

In 1976, there was an outbreak of swine flu in Fort Dix, NJ. Four otherwise healthy soldiers suffered from pneumonia. One of the soldiers who had the swine flu died. More than 200 people were infected.

24) Fatality In 1988

In September of 1988, a woman became infected with the swine flu, was hospitalized with pneumonia, and later died. The woman had visited a county fair four days earlier. The flu was widespread amongst the pigs.

25) Testing For The Virus

A respiratory specimen is required to test a human for infection of the swine flu virus. Samples must be collected within the first 4 or 5 days of the onset of the illness.

26) Medications

Several medications are available for treatment of the swine flu in humans. The two common drugs are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). You may order Tamiflu on AccessRx.com.

27) When Should I Take Medications?

To be most effective, you should take medications within 2 days of developing symptoms for any flu virus. It is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as you show symptoms of the illness.

28) Resistance To Medications

The most recent outbreak of the swine flu is somewhat resistant to flu medications amantadine and remintadine. The CDC recommends the use of zanamivir or oseltamivir for treatment at this time.

29) Tamiflu And Relenza

Although studies show that students who take Tamiflu or Relenza daily are less likely to contract the flu virus, doctors recommend Tamiflu not to be taken until symptoms exist. Doctors also warn that a strain of flu can become resistant to a medication, rendering it less effective.

30) Tamiflu Side Effects

In order to take Tamiflu or Relenza, children must be at least 1 year old. Tamiflu is available as a liquid as well. The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. People with the flu, particularly children and adolescents, may be at an increased risk of self injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior. A healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient shows any signs of unusual behavior. Tamiflu is normally not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown.

31) 25% Of Pigs Worldwide Infected At Some Time

Studies have shown that 25% of pigs worldwide have at some point been infected with the H1N1 swine flu virus.

32) 30% Of Pigs In The U.S. Had Swine Flu

In the United States, 30% of pigs show evidence of antibodies for the H1N1 flu.

33) 51% of Pigs In North Central U.S. Had Swine Flu

A higher concentration of the swine flu exists in pigs in the north-central states. Up to 51% of pigs in this area show signs of swine flu antibodies.

34) Schools May Close For 14 Days

The transmission of the virus usually takes place in the first 4 days of infection. In children, however, the virus can continue to spread for up to 10 days. For this reason, the CDC recommends closing schools for 14 days in the event of a widespread swine flu epidemic.

35) Who Makes The Decision To Close The Schools?

The local authorities in your area will make the decision on whether or not to close schools and daycare facilities. They must, however, work closely with the state health officials to coordinate the effort state-wide and to make the appropriate decisions.

36) 6 stages Of A Pandemic

The World Health Organization has established 6 alert phases to distinguish the severity of a pandemic. The levels are communicated to the public and to the government so appropriate action can be taken.

Pandemic Phase 1:

In a Pandemic Phase 1 alert, no animal-to-human infections have occurred. The virus still exists among animals, but there are no reported infections in humans.

Pandemic Phase 2:

In a Pandemic Phase 2 alert, an animal-to-human infection has occurred and been identified. This is considered to be a potential pandemic threat.

Pandemic Phase 3:

In a Pandemic Phase 3 alert, there have been several confirmed cases of animal-to-human infections. In a phase 3 alert, the outbreak is limited to animal-to-human transmission. No human-to-human cases are reported other than the unusual case of a close caregiver. The clusters are small.

Pandemic Phase 4:

In a Pandemic Phase 4 alert, human-to-human infections have been confirmed. At this point, the risk for a community-level outbreak is high. A pandemic can still be avoided if containment procedures are implemented at this time.

Pandemic Phase 5:

In a Pandemic Phase 5 alert, there has been an infection in 2 countries transmitted by human-to-human contact. The 2 countries must be in the region monitored by the World Health Organization. At this stage, a pandemic may be imminent. It is time to prepare an implementation plan to mitigate the pandemic, should one occur.

Pandemic Phase 6:

The final stage in the Pandemic Alert is Phase 6. If a human-to-human infection occurs in two World Health Countries plus one additional country, a Phase 6 alert will be issued. This level indicates that a global pandemic is underway. To be deemed a level 6 threat, the virus must pass successively between three unrelated people on two continents.

37) Pandemic Post-Peak Period

The level of infection will drop in the post-peak period in most countries. Care must be taken to keep the containment plan in place to avoid a second wave of infection.

38) Pandemics Can Last For Months

In previous pandemics, the infection spread among humans for months. The virus would seem to come in waves. As the activity dropped, people would become less cautious and another wave would ensue.

39) Swine Flu Tracker

You can sign up for up-to-date swine flu tracker news. The information will be sent directly to your phone or iPod. You can also track the news online at www.who.int, www.pandemicflu.gov, & www.cdc.gov.

40) Countries Of The World

Outbreaks of the 2009 swine flu have been reported in the following areas: North America, South America, the UK, Sweden, Italy, Kenya, and parts of Asia including Japan and China.

41) It Takes Years To Develop

The avian H1N1 virus and the human H3N2 virus were both detected in pigs several years before they developed the ability to spread.

42) Why Pigs?

Pigs are the major source of the influenza virus H3N2 and H1N1. The viruses are endemic in pigs due to the husbandry practices (agricultural breeding and raising of livestock). Pigs are the only domesticated mammal species to be reared in abundance.

43) 40 Million People Vaccinated

In 1976, more than 40 million people were vaccinated. This was in response to the swine flu outbreak at Fort Dix, NJ.

44) Will The Vaccine From 1976 Protect Me?

If you received a vaccine in 1976, you are probably no longer protected. Today’s strain of the swine flu is much different than the 1976 virus.

45) Is There A Serious Threat Of An Epidemic?

The U.S. government has declared a public health emergency in response to the recent outbreak of the swine flu. However, during the first week of May, 2009, the threat of a full-blown epidemic seemed to be subsiding because the number of deaths caused by the flu had been minimal.

46) Should I Wear A Respirator?

While there is no evidence to prove that a respirator will protect you completely from the virus, NIOSH and the CDC have approved certain respirators for protection against airborne pathogens.

47) Low Mortality Rate

While the swine flu is a new strain of the flu virus, the mortality rate remains relatively low worldwide at about 1%, and less than that in the United States. The key to survival is seeking early treatment at the onset of the virus.

48) If A Pandemic Occurred
If a deadly strain of Swine Flu were to cause a full-blown, worldwide pandemic, one estimate predicts 2 to 5 million people could die.

49) Affecting 25% To 35%
In the past, pandemics affected 25% to 35% of the population.

50) 20-To-45-Year-Olds Were Hardest Hit in 1918
During the flu pandemic of 1918, the age group that experienced the highest death rate was 20-to-45-year olds, which was very surprising because usually children and the elderly are the hardest hit.

51) What Is A Reassortant Virus?

If a pig becomes infected by two viruses at the same time, the genes from the 2 viruses can mix. The resultant virus is called a reassortant virus. This will add to the difficulty of treatment and the development of an effective vaccine.

52) Do Humans Have Natural Antibodies?

Humans who do not have regular contact with swine will not have a natural immunity to the swine flu virus.

53) Do Farmers Have Natural Antibodies?

Up to 25% of pig farmers may have been infected with the swine flu virus at some point. They will have some degree of natural antibodies. The virus has also been detected in approximately 10% of veterinarians.

54) 20 Million Deaths In 1918

The flu pandemic of 1918 caused more than 20 million deaths worldwide.

55) When Were The 4 Strains Discovered?

Each of the 4 strains of the swine flu resulted in an outbreak/pandemic. They occurred as follows: H1N1 in 1918, H2N2 in 1957, H3N2 in 1968, and H1N1 in 1977.

56) How Can We Track The Mortality Rate?

In a pandemic, a simple method is used to track the mortality rate caused by the swine flu. The CDC will simply monitor the increased rate or excess in mortality of pneumonia and influenza patients.

57) Global Surveillance

The World Health Organization sponsors a network of laboratories around the world to provide global surveillance of the influenza virus. This information can be used to make decisions on implementing countermeasures such as travel restrictions.

58) Will We Be Forced To Stay At Home?

If a serious pandemic occurs, local governments may ask you to stay in your home. This will prevent the spread of the illness. Be sure to stock up on supplies in advance. You should keep a minimum of a one- week supply of water, food and medications on hand.

59) What Is The SNS?

The SNS or the Strategic National Stockpile is a division of the CDC. The SNS is sending supplies to all 50 states in an effort to assist with the swine flu outbreak.

60) Is A Vaccine Available Today?

U.S. officials are gathering data and collecting potential ingredients for a vaccine, however none is available today.

61) How Long Will It Be Before A Vaccine Is Available?

The estimate for the release of a swine flu (H1N1) vaccine is Fall, 2009.

62) Will The New Vaccine Have Side Effects?

While science has come a long way in the development of vaccines and medications, there is no way to predict all of the potential side effects although the new vaccine will be tested thoroughly prior to release to the public.

63) Can I Recover Without The Vaccine?

Most cases of the swine flu in the U.S. have been moderate. With proper treatment and care, patients have tended to recover quickly with products such as Tamiflu, available at AccessRx.com.

64) Will The Death Toll Rise?

Experts at first predicted that the death toll from the swine flu would rise in the U.S. However, only one death had been reported through the first week of May in the U.S. (a child visiting from Mexico).

65) How Long Would A Pandemic Last?

A pandemic of global proportions could continue for months. It could carry on for a second flu season.

66) How Is The Vaccine Produced?

It may seem archaic, but vaccines today are produced using an egg-based production technique. The virus is grown in actual chicken eggs. Each egg may produce only two doses of the vaccine.

67) How Can Swine Flu Be Prevented in Pigs?

Several steps can be taken to reduce the swine flu infection in pigs although it can’t be eliminated completely. Farmers should vaccinate their herds. Farm workers must practice good hygiene. Swine pens should be adequately ventilated.

68) Should I Stop Breastfeeding If I Have The Flu?

A woman’s breast milk contains antibodies to combat diseases they have come in contact with. It is important to continue breastfeeding to pass the antibodies on to your baby and to help your baby develop the ability to fight off diseases on his own.

69) What If My Baby Is Sick, Should I Still Breastfeed?

If your baby is sick, you should continue to breastfeed. This is one of the best things you could do for your baby. Breast milk will strengthen your baby’s immune system.

70) Can I Contract The Virus By Handling Laundry?

You can become infected from handling the laundry. You should avoid holding the laundry close to your body. Use a basket and disinfect the basket after use. Wash your hands after each load.

71) Can I Contract The Virus By Handling Kitchen Utensils?

The swine flu virus can be passed through contact with kitchen utensils. The high heat and steam dry cycles of the dishwasher will kill the virus however.

72) Can Kissing Spread The Virus?

Absolutely. Actual body contact is not even necessary, as mentioned above.

73) The Stats

According to the latest stats as published by the CDC as of May 5, 2009 at 1 p.m. EST, there are eight states that have reported at least 10 cases of Swine Flu. These are: New York (90), Illinois (82), California (49), Texas (41), Delaware (20), Arizona (17), South Carolina (16), Oregon (15). Of these, only one death has been reported.

74. What Does The Virus Look Like?

Pictured to the left is a magnefied view of the H1N1 virus.

75. Can the Swine Flu Virus Reappear Again?

Acting CDC Director Richard Besser said it is possible that the Swine Flu could generally disappear and then reappear again during the flu season beginning in September. The flu generally does not transmit easily during the hotter summer months. It is hard to predict if the virus would be stronger if it reappeared. It could perhaps mutate or morph into a similar but different strain. Active flu viruses are always changing, and this is evident in the fact that the annual flu shots that patients receive year over year contain different flu strains/antibodies.

Swine Flu Round-Up

The Admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:40:00 GMT

Out of nowhere, swine flu has become a major health concern. The World Health Organization has called the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” and has raised its pandemic alert level in response to the recent outbreak. The U.S. government has advised against nonessential travel to Mexico, a country that has been hit hard with swine flu. Similarly, the European Union's health commissioner has advised against travel to both the United States and Mexico, where most of the reported infections have originated.

Swine flu is getting much attention from health officials and the media, but what information do you need to know about this virus outbreak?

What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type A influenza virus that leads to outbreaks of influenza in pigs, and causes high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Most outbreaks occur during late fall and winter months, just like the human flu season.

Why is the swine flu infecting humans?
Swine flu does not usually infect humans. The infections that have occurred in the past have mainly been in people who have had direct exposure to pigs. Pigs can carry human influenza viruses, which then can mutate into new strains of the influenza virus that easily infect humans, which is what we are seeing with the current outbreak.

How do you get swine flu?
Just like human influenza, swine flu it transmitted from person to person quite easily. Sneezing and coughing are ways the virus is transmitted. Touching mouth, eyes, or nose after touching something with the flu virus on it is all it takes to become infected.

Can pork be contaminated with swine flu?
Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by eating pork products, as long as they are cooked properly.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Swine flu symptoms are similar to those of the common flu: Runny nose, fever, coughing, sore throat, lack of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir) for treating and/or preventing swine flu.

What can be done to prevent swine flu?
Washing your hands often with soap can help prevent contracting and/or spreading the swine flu virus. You should avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.