Swine Flu News

Swine Flu is Contagious Longer Than Previously Thought

2009-10-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

Recent research has shown that the H1N1 virus may be contagious longer than it was first though. Although the swine flu virus produces generally mild symptoms in most people, there have been an increased number of fatalities among teenagers, and the virus is passes very easily. A study, done in Canada, found that H1N1 viral contagions may reside in nasal passages as long as 8 days after initial infection. Two other studies had similar findings. Although there are currently no recommendations based on these new findings, common sense tells you that if you or someone you care for contracts the swine flu virus, you should keep them isolated over a week to ensure you do not transmit the virus to others. Current guidelines recommend avoiding outside contact at least 24 hours after the fever that accompanies swine flu infection has broken. New recommendations are likely following these findings.

Swine Flu Vaccine Works After One Dose

2009-09-11T03:35:00.000-07:00

According to Yahoo and MSNBC News the swine flu vaccine has proven to be effective in inhibiting the H1N1 virus after only one dose. It was previously thought that 2 to 3 doses would be required to inhibit the growth of the swine flu, and there would have to be a 3 week waiting period in between the first and the second where the vaccine was not effective, however, this has not proven to be the case.

Australian shot maker CSL Ltd. published results of a study that found between 75 percent and 96 percent of vaccinated people should be protected with one dose — the same degree of effectiveness as the regular winter flu shot. That's remarkable considering scientists thought it would take two doses.(Yahoo News)

Testing has been performed solely on adults to date, so how the vaccine affects children is largely unknown. Because vaccines can have potentially harmful side effects, every effort is being made to ensure the swine flu vaccine is safe before it is made available to the public. Currently the vaccine is known to cause pain at the site of injection and, according to Mail Online, it may be linked to nerve disorders such as Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS).

Swine flu is not the only flu virus that is likely to be prevalent this flu season. Other strains will also make an appearance as they always do during flu season, which can run from September into January. According to the CDC:

Every year in the United States, on average:

5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and
about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes. (CDC)

Swine Flu in Lyons Creek Middle School

2009-09-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

The swine flu is making an appearance in South Florida schools. At least one child in Lyons Creek Middle School in Coconut Creek, Florida has been diagnosed with the swine flu virus. Coconut Creek is a small town sandwiched between the better known towns of Coral Springs and Boca Raton, Florida. The seventh grader diagnosed with the swine flu virus has a fever of at least 102 degrees and is experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and headache. He stated that he knows of at least two other middle school classmates who are suffering from the same swine flu symptoms. Help stop the spread of the swine flu virus in schools by encouraging your school to take proactive measures and staying up to date on any new developments.

If your child develops flu symptoms including high fever, coughing, sneezing, headache, body ache or vomiting, get them to a personal physician for diagnosis and treatment. Emergency rooms are overloaded with people who fear they or their children might be suffering from the virus. Be sure to give the sufferer plenty of fluids, and attempt to bring down fever over 101 degrees. Keep the fever in check by alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours and take steps to learn How to Treat Swine Flu Infection. If you have a baby or small child, learn how to Recognize Symptoms of the Swine Flu Virus in Your Baby or Young Child and see a doctor to ensure you receive treatment information.

Although most flu attacks the elderly, the swine flu has been most deadly for young people. It seems people over 50 may have developed an immunity against a similar flu strain and do not suffer the most severe symptoms. Teach your kids How to Avoid Swine Flu Infection by washing hands and avoiding hand to face or face to face contact. Do not panic if your child gets the swine flu, but do be diligent addressing symptoms to ensure they do not get out of control. To find out How to Get Information on the Swine Flu Epidemic, follow the previous link or go to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Severe Swine Flu

2009-08-29T05:38:00.001-07:00

According the Yahoo News, the World Health Organzation (WHO) has reported a more severe form of the swine flu that is causing respiratory problems that require hospitalization. It appears that indigenous and minority groups of people are at a higher risk of severe swine flu infection. This could be due to several factors including lack of health care or poor overall health. Remember to stay safe by avoiding crowds, keeping your hands away from your face and washing hands.

How to Stop the Spread of the Swine Flu Virus in Schools

2009-08-17T05:54:00.000-07:00

By Write Now
eHow Community Member

Back to School

The swine flu (H1N1) virus is expected to spread rapidly as the school year advances and flu season takes hold. With students in close proximity, it seems almost impossible to control the spread of the swine flu epidemic. Since the flu vaccination may not be ready till the middle to end of the flu season, schools should take measures to protect students and staff from the spread of the swine flu....more

Swine Flu Resurgence in Schools

2009-08-07T04:12:00.000-07:00

According to Yahoo News, federal officials may not be jumping the gun this season on school closures. There is expected to be a resurgence in the Fall of the virus that has affected at least one million people, however, cases of the swine flu virus that appear in schools will likely be handled on an individual basis rather than by the initial Centers for Disease Control Guidelines which advised schools that had cases of the swine flu be closed for 2 weeks.

The swine flu has not stopped spreading as might be expected of a regular flu virus during the summer months, but continued to infect people. When school doors open in August, the H1n1 swine flu will likely come back with a vengeance due to the close proximity of students and the lack of hand washing that sometimes occurs among children. Make sure your children understand that they must be vigilant about washing their hands, avoiding close contact and keeping their hands away from their face to avoid spreading the swine flu virus.

Swine Flu to Hit Schools Hard

2009-08-05T05:57:00.000-07:00

Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary, is expecting the swine flu virus to come back with a vengance in the Fall season after the start of school and before a vaccine becomes available. School begins in August, and the eariliest a vaccine would be available for widespread use is October. She expects that this flu season will be severe due to the fact that this virus is so new, no-one yet has an immunity.

In 1918, the swine flu virus killed almost 700,000 people in the United States. That pales in comparison to the worldwide deaths which were at least 50 million. Napalitano thinks that the pandemic may kill as many as 70,000 people and sicken up to 2 million in the world. This is more in line with statistics of the 1957 swine flu epidemic.

On average, around 40,000 people die and a few hundred thousand end up in the hospital in most normal flu seasons. For now it is a wait and see game.

When the flu vaccine becomes available it will likely go to those most at risk such as the elderly, pregnant women and babies, even though this flu has been shown to have the most devastating effect on those between the ages of 5 and 49.

Swine Flu Update

2009-08-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

So whats new with the Swine Flu? Well, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a vaccine is now in the works to thwart the deadly virus. As of July 31, the virus is still affecting people, even over the summer months when most viruses just die. So what is causing this? Well, no-one really knows as of yet, however, it is continuing to spread.

The Swine flu (H1N1) virus is most deadly at the present for those suffering from illnesses that affect the lungs like COPD. It has also proved fatal for people with illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and those who are immune compromised. (CDC.gov) Unfortunately however, it is not isolated to the infirm. The virus seems to attack and kill young people at a startling rate as well. At least 250 deaths have occurred in people under the age of 49, including 142 deaths among people ages 5 to 24.

The government is currently attempting to procure the NovelH1N1 vaccine, which is expected to be available in syringe form and nasal inhalants. They are not sure as of yet how fast this virus will spread in the fall, so they cannot ensure that there will be enough vaccine for all of us. Keep your fingers crossed. States will be provided with the vaccine based on their population. The vaccine should be available around the middle of October, however, that is too late for the beginning of school and flu season that starts in September.

Children and the elderly will be the first to receive the vaccine. Of course, we do not yet know the side effects of the vaccine, so you may need to consider the risk factor before deciding to vaccinate yourself or your children. The H1N1 Swine Flu virus is generally mild, although that is no comfort to those who have lost loved ones or died themselves. As of this date, over 5, 500 people have been hospitalized and over 350 have died from the Swine flu in the United States. The first known case of H1N1 was in April 2009, and it has spread rapidly since first appearing.

So when it comes to the Swine flu, take every precaution to stay out of crowds, and not touch your face. There have been more deaths in populated areas than anywhere else, because it is much easier to transmit the flu to each other. The virus needs an opening, so if you touch your nose or mouth, you give it a point of entry. Keep your hands clean, do not sneeze or cough into your hands, but into the crook of your arm, and avoid large groups of people. Be sure your kids know the right procedures so they do not bring the virus home. More updates are to come, but in the meantime, stay healthy.

Swine Flu Pandemic Level

2009-07-25T06:05:00.000-07:00

The Swine flu pandemic level has now been raised to a level 6. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued this warning due to the rapid spread of the virus. The H1N1 virus has hit at least 70 countries and is spreading through communities rapidly. Although it is not fatal in the wide majority of cases, there have been numerous fatalities caused by this flu, and more are expected to occur with the start of flu season looming. Here are the statistics on flu cases and deaths by state according to the CDC.
Flu InfectionWeb page updated July 24, 2009,11:00 AM ETData reported to CDC by July 23, 2009, 1:00 PM ET.
States and Territories*
Confirmed and Probable Cases
Deaths
States
Alabama-477 cases-0 deaths
Alaska-272 cases-0 deaths
Arizona-947 cases-15 deaths
Arkansas-131 cases-0 deaths
California-3161 cases-52 deaths
Colorado-171 cases-0 deaths
Connecticut-1713 cases-8 deaths
Delaware-381 cases-0 deaths
Florida-2915 cases-23 deaths
Georgia-222 cases-1 death
Hawaii-1424 cases-3 deaths
Idaho-166 cases-0 deaths
Illinois-3404 cases-17 deaths
Indiana-291 cases-1 death
Iowa-165 cases-0 deaths
Kansas-204 cases-0 deaths
Kentucky-143 cases-0 deaths
Louisiana-232 cases-0 deaths
Maine-145 cases-0 deaths
Maryland-766 cases-4 deaths
Massachusetts-1370 cases-5 deaths
Michigan-515 cases-9 deaths
Minnesota-670 cases-3 deaths
Mississippi-252 cases-0 deaths
Missouri-76 cases-1 death
Montana-94 cases-0 deaths
Nebraska-313 cases-1 death
Nevada-467 cases-0 deaths
New Hampshire-247 cases-0 deaths
New Jersey-1414 cases-15 deaths
New Mexico-232 cases-0 deaths
New York-2738 cases-63 deaths
North Carolina-483 cases-5 deaths
North Dakota-63 cases-0 deaths
Ohio-188 cases-1 death
Oklahoma-189 cases-1 death
Oregon-524 cases-5 deaths
Pennsylvania-1960 cases-8 deaths
Rhode Island-192 cases-2 deaths
South Carolina-244 cases-0 deaths
South Dakota-45 cases-0 deaths
Tennessee-283 cases-1 death
Texas-5151 cases-27 deaths
Utah-988 cases-16 deaths
Vermont-59 cases-0 deaths
Virginia-327 cases-2 deaths
Washington-658 cases-7 deaths-
Washington, D.C.-45 cases-0 deaths
West Virginia-243 cases-0 deaths
Wisconsin-6222 cases-6 deaths
Wyoming-111 cases-0 deaths
Territories
American Samoa-8 cases-0 deaths
Guam-1 case-0 deaths
Puerto Rico-20 cases-0 deaths
Virgin Islands-49 cases-0 deaths
TOTAL (55)*
43,771 cases
302 deaths
　
　
　

Swine Flu Update

2009-07-25T05:53:00.000-07:00

Swine flu has not gone away, but is still wreaking havoc in the United States and around the World. 40% of the population if predicted to develop symptoms of the H1N1 virus when flu season begins if a vaccine is not developed in time. Schools are usually a breeding ground for the flu virus and will be hit hard by this virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Swine flu has been confirmed in at least 43, 771 cases as of July 24, 2009 and with 302 cases in fifty-five states and territories combined. July 24, 2009: H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Situation Update.

Swine Flu Update

2009-05-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

New York closed two more schools yesterday amid the swine flu scare. That brings the total of school closures in New York to 19. The death of an assistant principal in the state. The recent death of a 16 month old who was thought to have died of the swine flu has been confirmed as not having been caused by the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Death of a Baby

2009-05-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

Did a 16 month old boy die of the H1N1 swine flu virus in New York? No-one is really sure. The little boy was taken to the hospital with a high fever and flu like symptoms and died a short time after arrival. The hospital is now testing to find out if the cause of the death was swine flu related. Earlier in the week an assistant school principal died of the swine flu virus in New York. 17 schools have been closed in the New York area due to the swine flu scare.

New York School Closures

2009-05-19T06:02:00.001-07:00

The swine flu is not behind us. In New York there has recently been a death of an assistant school principal who became ill with the swine flu virus. H1N1 has now been confirmed in approximately 4000 people in the United States, and possibly over 100,000 individuals worldwide. There is some conjecture that the virus has mutated into a more virulent strain, however, there is no research that proves it is more deadly than a regular flu. Nevertheless, it is recommended that people follow all recommended precautions for avoiding contamination with the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Emergency Room Mayhem

2009-05-03T07:54:00.001-07:00

Emergency rooms are swamped with people who think they have the flu.Officials urge people to not rush to emergency rooms if they think they might have the flu virus. Instead, visit an emergency clinic if your doctors office is closed. Better yet, try to treat the flu as you would any other, with fluids, bed rest and medication to bring the fever down. The H1N1 Swine flu virus has not shown any unusual virulence,and individuals who contract the virus exhibit regular flu symptoms. The United States has one confirmed death, a 23 month old child, who was a resident of Mexico and was visiting the United States.

Soccer Fans Kept Out of Stadium

2009-05-03T07:50:00.000-07:00

Fans in New York were kept out of a soccer game because officials were afraid of the spread of swine flu. Fans pounded on the fence surrounding the stadium and chanted loudly, hoping to convince officials to let them in the stadium. The soccer teams ended up playing to an empty stadium, however, as New York City police blocked entry.

H1N1 Swine Flu in Canada

2009-05-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

A farmer who had just returned from Mexico gave the Swine flu virus to his pigs. The farmer infected 200 of his pigs in Alberta Canada. The pigs were then quarantined and have since recovered. The infection is not thought to have traveled outside of the farm.

Recent Swine Flu H1N1 News

2009-05-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

30 states have now confirmed over 200 cases in the United States from the dreaded H1N1 Swine Flu virus. There are 19 confirmed deaths in Mexico, which is less than previously suspected. The testing has come back and the results have shed some light on the virility of the H1N1 virus. The H1N1 virus lacks an essential amino acid it needs to transmit efficiently, therefore it is not spreading as quickly as other influenza viruses might.Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services Secretary says, "We don't know what this new virus might do." Which is why the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to recommend taking precautionary measures to avoid flu infection.

Wash hands often
Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow
Carry and use hand sanitizer
Do not kiss or shake hands to greet
Stay home if sick
Stay away from obviously sick people
Stay away from pig farms

From the CDC

**U.S. Human Cases of H1N1 Flu Infection**
(As of May 2, 2009, 11:00 AM ET)
States	# of laboratory confirmed cases	Deaths
Arizona	4
California	24
Colorado	2
Connecticut	1
Delaware	4
Florida	2
Illinois	3
Indiana	3
Kansas	2
Kentucky*	1
Massachusetts	6
Michigan	2
Minnesota	1
Missouri	1
Nevada	1
New Jersey	7
New York	51
Ohio	1
South Carolina	13
Texas	28	1
Virginia	2
TOTAL (21)	160 cases	1 death
International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection See: World Health Organization *Case is resident of KY but currently hospitalized in GA.

Swine Flu/H1N1 Cases May Be Much Lower Than Originally Suspected

2009-05-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

How many confirmed cases have there been of the H1N1 virus? Some experts suspect there are only 15-20 actual confirmed cases of the H1N1 Swine flu virus as opposed to the orginally reported hundreds of cases that came out of Mexico. This particular strain of flu may have caused many fewer deaths than have been reported. Stay tuned for updates on this information.

Stop the Panic Over H1N1 Swine Flu

2009-05-02T05:45:00.000-07:00

There has been some panic when it comes to the Swine flu virus. Most recently a plane was diverted because a woman had a runny nose. She was removed from the plane and rushed to a hospital where it was discovered that she had allergies. It is good to be aware of this virus, but do not go overboard. If you are in panic mode, go get the n95 mask and wear it to avoid any infection. Here are the facts on Swine flu to date:

In the United States there are only 200 or more cases spread over 23 states with one death. The death was a child who had recently been to Mexico.
Swine flu is not as easily transmissalbe as other viruses because it lacks an essential amino acid that will allow it to pass more quickly
You are not likely to get Swine flu on a plane unless a person with the virus sneezes on you directly, or you touch a surface (anywhere) on which the virus lives
The virus will generally live on a surface for a very short period of time.

Essentially, the H1N1 virus is spreading throughout the United States, just like any flu virus. It has not been deadly here yet to more than one person. Regular influenza kills over 30 million people every year, and H1N1 Swine flu virus is currently just another influenza virus with a couple of mutations. Be on guard, but do not panic. Take regular precautions you would at any time to avoid flu, but try to ignore all the hype.

How Many Countries Have Swine Flu?

2009-05-02T05:18:00.000-07:00

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now reported that the number of confirmed cases of the H1N1 Swine flu virus is now 615, up from 365 earlier in the week.

As of this post 15 countries have seen cases of the Swine flu including, Switzerland, France, South Korea, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Israel, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, Spain, Britain, Mexico and the latest country to join the club is Italy. Mexico has lowered its death toll from Swine flu from 176 to 101, with 397 reported cases. In the United States, 19 states have reported a total of 141 cases as of this post, and is second to Mexico in the number of cases that have been confirmed.
THE World Health Organization has raised its tally of confirmed human cases of swine flu to 615 from 365.
There have been 17 confirmed deaths.

Riding the Subway

2009-05-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

You might have noticed people wearing masks on the subway in Mexico City. Is that something we need to do in American cities? As of now, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is not recommending masks while riding public transportation. However, if your city has reported cases you may want to use one for extra precautionary measures. The N95 mask has been touted as performing adequately against respiratory infections such as the H1N1 Swine flu virus. Make sure you wash your hands after touching anything on public transportation and ask people to cover their mouths when coughing.

Why is No-One Dying in the United States?

2009-05-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

The lack of deaths here in the United States has experts wondering what has changed the virus to make it less fatal among the American population. Many scientists and doctors believe that people dying in Mexico could be suffering from secondary infectiions such as diabetes or heart disease that make them more susceptible to the virus. It might also be be another viral infection in addition to the H1N1 that is creating a more deadly combination. Finally, the pollution or lack of adequate health care could contribute greatly to the fatalities. It does appear that the number of cases is stabilizing in Mexico as more infected individuals are administered antiviral medications such as Tamiflu in a timely manner.

H1N1 Swine Flu Lacks an Essential Amino Acid for Transmission

2009-05-01T19:34:00.000-07:00

A positive note regarding the Swine flu virus is that the genetic sequence-lacks amino acid that allows it to reproduce quickly. In addition, the virus replication appears to behave differently in Mexico than in the United States. Because it lacks the amino acid, it does not replicate as quickly and therefore is not passed as rapidly from human to human.

How Many States Have Reported the Swine Flu-May 1, 2009

2009-05-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

So far the H1N1 Swine flu virus has shut down 300 schools across the United States. At least 11 states have confirmed cases. Virginia, Florida, Michigan, South Carolina,Texas, Arizona, California, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York and Ohio. Although the number of Swine Flu cases in Mexico seems to have stabilized, the flu cases continue to increase in the United States with over 100 confirmed cases. That number is expected to rise quickly.

Can Mosquitoes Carry the H1N1 Swine Flu Virus?

2009-05-01T19:25:00.000-07:00

Do mosquitoes carry the H1N1 Swine flu virus? Most researchers say that at this point it is not likely. Mosquitoes do not usually carry the flu virus, however, mosquitoes have been host to a number of other deadly viruses including the West Nile virus, St Louis Encephalitis, and Malaria to name a few.There have been no reported cases of the H1N1 Swine Flu virus being transmitted by mosquitoes, but taking precautions cannot hurt.

Make sure you have no freestanding water around your home
Wear long sleeves, especially at night or in mosquito prone areas
Use insect repellent or candles
Use deet or other lotion to protect yourself