Swine Flu Helpline Toll Free Number 12506

BASIC PRECATUIONS to Keep Away SWINE FLU

2009-08-14T02:10:00.001-07:00

Swine flu in India is spreading like wildfire, taking the toll to ten. Officials say there are currently more than 1000 cases of the H1N1 flu strain in India. Governments from all around the world are finding ways to combat this deadly disease. So what can you do to protect yourself? Stay calm and practice these 10 effective prevention tips.
1. Wash your hands frequently
Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.
2. Get enough sleep
Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune system in top flu-fighting shape..
3. Keep hydrated
Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in your sinuses.
4. Boost your immune system
Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.
5. Keep informed
The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away. Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a calm manner.
6. Avoid alcohol
Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.
7. Be physically active
Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.
8. Keep away from sick people

Flu virus spreads when particles dispersed into the air through a cough or sneeze reach someone elseâ€™s nose. So if you have to be around someone who is sick, try to stay a few feet away from them and especially, avoid physical contact.
9. Know when to get help
Consult your doctor if you have a cough and fever and follow their instructions, including taking medicine as prescribed.
10. Avoid crowded areas
Try to avoid unnecessary trips outside. Moreover, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

SWINE FLU

2009-08-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

The World Health Organization has recently raised the level of Swine Flu to the little known and used ‘Mega Pandemic’ level. This is the fifth time in a month that the World Health organization has raised the warning level for Swine Flu, or H1N1 as it’s now referred to as. Earlier this month, the Swine flu has gone through multiple classification changes, going from ‘Pre Pandemic’, ‘Demi Pandemic’ to ‘Pretty Much a Pandemic’ to ‘Pandemic Pandemic’ and now ‘Mega Pandemic’. “It’s important that we keep the public up-to-date about the Swine Flu,” Said World Health Organization spokesperson Craig Samuelson, “Plus it’s pretty good publicity for us. People pay attention when they hear the word ‘Pandemic’. For example, in one press release, we mentioned the word ‘Pandemic’ over 50 times. We think that with all the hard work we do, we deserve a little bit more government cheese, and you do that by making people care about you.”

The World Health Organization has been wildly successful with their Swine Flu campaign, capturing tons of worldwide headlines by renaming the disease, classifying it with many different frightening warnings and even creating a new H1N1 mascot called “Oinker” to help integrate themselves into the children’s market. “What they’ve done is absolutely brilliant.” Said Marketing Analyst Suzanne Prichard, “They’ve re-vamped their organization from a boring, sterile group of scientists into a hip, headline-capturing marketing force. People are scared stiff about this Swine Flu thing, and they’ve used that to their full advantage. Nobody is asking ‘who are WHO?’ anymore, or ‘what is WHO?’, but now the questions are more like ‘Why is WHO doing this?’. They’ve really broken into the 5-W market. That’s what we in marketing like to call the ‘money cow’ or in this case, the ‘money pig’!” She said before laughing uncontrolably and stomping her feet against the ground.

Citizens have been less enthusiastic, especially in the Hypochondriac community. Steven Malkakis has been a hypochondriac his entire life, and he believes he is suffering from a wide assortment of assorted maladies on a daily basis. We interviewed him over the phone. “It’s fucking bullshit. I’ve been afraid to leave my house for weeks. I’ve taken 5 Xanaxes today and I’m still afraid to do anything other than lie in bed and look at tenticle porn on the internet. I’m just dreading the day they update the level to ‘I am Legend Pandemic’. I think I’d just kill myself if that happened; that was a really stupid movie.”

The WHO is working on new methods of prolonging their newfound stardom. “Listen, we know that this Swine Flu thing isn’t going to last forever.” Samuelson beamed, “So we’ve undertaken new steps on how to find the next up-and-coming disease to promote. The bird flu was a big flop for us, and SARS was a flash in the pan. Identifying a real winner is hard, but we’re working on it. We’ve found some sexy stuff recently, in the Amazon we found a type of herpes you can get from an iguana, and in Chile there’s an intestinal worm that spreads through sneezing. Now that we’ve got the marketing side figured out, I think these guys could be big news in only a matter of years!”

WHAT IS SWINE INFLUENZA (FLU) ?

2009-08-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza that regularly cause outbreaks of influenza among pigs. Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, however, human infections with swine flu do occur, and cases of human-to-human spread of swine flu viruses has been documented. See General Information about Swine Flu.

From December 2005 through February 2009, a total of 12 human infections with swine influenza were reported from 10 states in the United States. Since March 2009, a number of confirmed human cases of a new strain of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in California, Texas, and Mexico have been identified. An investigation into these cases is ongoing. For more information see Human Swine Flu Investigation.

Is the current swine flu virus contagious?

2009-08-13T16:36:00.000-07:00

•Various international agencies (US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, World Health Organization) have determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.
•WHO has escalated the world Pandemic Phase from Phase 3 to Phase 4 (in a 6-scale Phase), indicating that a worldwide pandemic due to swine flu H1N1 is possible.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?

2009-08-13T16:35:00.002-07:00

•The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
•Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people.
•Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?

2009-08-13T16:35:00.001-07:00

•Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads.
•Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
•Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with live flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How are human infections with swine influenza diagnosed?

2009-08-13T16:34:00.001-07:00

•To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus).
•However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer.
•Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to a hospital laboratory for testing.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?

2009-08-13T16:33:00.001-07:00

•Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick.
•That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

2009-08-13T16:32:00.002-07:00

•People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset.
•Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

Is there a vaccine for Pandemic Flu?

2009-08-13T16:32:00.001-07:00

•Because the virus is new, there will be no vaccine ready to protect against pandemic flu.
•Vaccine against Swine Flu virus H1N1 needs at least 6-12 months to be produced.
•Seasonal flu vaccine or past flu immunization will not provide protection.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?

2009-08-13T16:31:00.001-07:00

•Yes. The US CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir(Tamiflu®) or zanamivir(Relenza®) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. To be taken only if prescribed by Doctor.
•Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
•If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications.
•For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?

2009-08-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

•The virus can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
•Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. The virus can then be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, doorknob, child’s toy or phone handset and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?

2009-08-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

•We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.

•Frequent handwashingwill help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

2009-08-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
•Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can spread this way.
•Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
•If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?

2009-08-13T16:27:00.001-07:00

•If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill.
•Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
•Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

2009-08-13T16:26:00.001-07:00

•Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner.
•When you wash your hands --with soap and warm water --that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores.
•If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?

2009-08-13T16:25:00.001-07:00

•If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.
•If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
•If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs (next 2 slides), seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

2009-08-13T16:24:00.001-07:00

•Fast breathing or trouble breathing
•Bluish skin color
•Not drinking enough fluids
•Not waking up or not interacting
•Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
•Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
•Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

2009-08-13T16:23:00.001-07:00

•Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
•Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
•Sudden dizziness
•Confusion
•Severe or persistent vomiting

Household Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal

2009-08-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

•Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
•Keep surfaces (espbedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, children’s toys, phone handles, doorknobs) clean by wiping them down with ahousehold disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
•Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but importantly these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
•Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid "hugging"laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.
•Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap.

PIC 8

2009-08-13T06:53:00.001-07:00

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PIC 4

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