Health Articles

Swine influenza also known as the pig or hog flu is a disease of the pigs spread through any one of the several strains of the influenza virus. The virus known as SIV or Swine Influenza Virus has many sub-types of its strain. These are known as H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, H2N3 and H3N1.

The virus gets transmitted from pigs to human beings and gets assimilated in the human blood to create antibodies. Swine flu is common among the pigs that are human-bred world over but it does not always cause influenza or sickness in humans. Many from the pig population die through the virulent swine flu and even vaccinations are injected to protect the home-bred pigs that are bred in huge quantities.

The symptoms of Swine flu are similar to the normal influenza in human beings, therefore detection in some cases take some time. Though his strain of the swine flu virus is not as dangerous as a few others, it is deadly enough to kill a person if not detected early. Some of the symptoms of Swine flu in human beings include chills, coughs, body aches, diarrhoea, headache, sore throat, temperature, vomiting and tiredness.

To protect yourself from the H1N1 virus you should maintain some personal protection and precaution like you should try to maintain health and fitness and get enough of sleep, try to manage stress and do exercise, eat a well balanced diet with plenty of fibre and liquids. You should most importantly be careful in public and not get in touch with sick people and should wash your hands regularly with antiseptic soap or alcoholic hand sanitizers.
Swine Flu Immunity
Besides, there are other precautions to be kept in mind if you or your friend gets infected like you should cover your mouth while sneezing, clean all surfaces since sometimes small droplets containing the influenza virus can remain behind and also to maintain minimal social contact. The virus also can be stubbed by vaccinating the pigs in the pig farms properly.The farmers who look after them and remain in regular direct or indirect contact with the pigs are more susceptible to acquire the virus and should therefore maintain certain measures like smoking the area and wearing gloves since they are the ones who come in contact with the infected pigs on a daily basis and may lead to human to human transmission of the virus.

The H1N1 virus had spread to many countries and had taken many lives in the past from 1976 to 2009 and will continue to do so in future since the virus can mutate and remain dormant for several years to again emerge in the form of a different strain. Pigs can be infected by both human and avian influenza strains which in turn create new strains. The best way is to ensure your own protection by being aware of the influenza virus and its workings. You can gain information from online health care information. A health guide can also bail you out, if you are confused about the Swine flu and its virus.

Swine flu virus

The World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic and last heard Swine flu has hit India and Turkey. Caused by Influenza virus A subtype H1N1, it spreads when the virus gets airborne – through coughs and sneezes – and also by contact with infected persons and contaminated surfaces.
News results for virus A:
Many City Schools Still Closed by Flu
“Schools have proven to be a major incubator of the swine flu virus, which first surfaced last month at St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows, Queens, with 69 confirmed cases. After a brief respite the virus re-emerged and across the city, 18 public schools have been ordered closed in the last week, almost all in Queens…“
Swine Flu Spreads in Japan, Despite Quarantine Inspections
“TOKYO, May 19 – To stop swine flu before it could sneak off airplanes arriving from North America, Japan dispatched masked health inspectors with fever-sensing guns to walk among passengers…”

The symptoms of swine flu coincide with that of a normal flu: fever, coughs, lack of appetite, lethargy, and in some cases, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The H1N1 virus primarily causes infection in swine (hence the name) and spreads to humans coming in close contact with infected pigs – in pig barns, livestock exhibitions etc. It is just a myth that the disease is contracted through pork meat, as proper cooking (at 160°F or more) kills viruses.

The bad news, however, is that there is no known cure or vaccine against swine flu. All we can do is avoid catching the virus, and if infected, assist our body’s immune system to deploy its weaponry and win the battle for us. A few precautions, especially if you are living in an area where incidence of Swine flu has been reported, could protect you from contracting the H1N1 virus:

1) Avoid contact with the infected
You have already noticed how fast common cold can spread. Same applies here. So avoid being in close proximity with infected persons.

2) Be wary of surfaces
When you bring your hand to your eye, nose or mouth, after touching a contaminated surface you are unwittingly allowing the virus entry into your body. Shaking hands, touching public surfaces as when traveling in community transport vehicles etc, can lead to catching the virus. Clean your hands often with warm water and soap.

3) Eat healthy
The immune system is our greatest ally in fighting off the virus. So keep your body fit with a diet rich in immunity boosters like whole grains, colorful vegetables and vitamin-rich fruits. Avoid food loaded with sugar and fat. They slow down the body’s metabolism and compromise its immune system. You can even take advantage of the antibiotic and antioxidant qualities of ginger and garlic by including them in your diet.

4) Sleep well
Good rest will keep your body primed for the fight against viruses.

5) Drink enough water
Drinking 8 – 10 glasses of water a day will keep the body sufficiently hydrated.

6) Avoid alcohol
Now is not the time for that impulsive binge. Alcoholic beverages are known to suppress immune system.

7) Stay active physically
Increased blood circulation and oxygenation while exercising, backs the immune system. It also aids in flushing out toxins and is a proven stress-buster.

Stay stress-free
The contagion may present a formidable picture to you. But don’t fret too much over it. It will only weaken your body and place it more at risk of a virus attack.

However, in spite of painstaking precautions if you still contract the virus, there is some good news. Scientists are of the consensus that the H1N1 infection is a rather mild one, one that can be managed with proper care. Here is what you can do if you develop severe flu-like symptoms.

a) Don’t Panic
Every flu is not a swine flu. But if the indications seem rather severe than usual, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor. Ask him to get yourself tested for swine flu virus.

b) Take the right medication
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. Let your doctor prescribe the one that is appropriate for you.

c) Nurture your health
Good sleep, drinking lots of fluids, a healthy diet and physical activity will keep your body robust in spite of the onslaught of the virus.

d) Don’t spread the virus
You can stop yourself from transmitting the virus to others: when you are sick, stay at home. Cover your mouth when sneezing, coughing etc.

Counter measures have been launched worldwide against the threat of swine flu. Hopefully, with the right measures, it would soon be under control. Meanwhile, let us protect ourselves and others from its incursions.
Zsofia Christopher

Swine Flu Pandemic?

Unless you are living in “a galaxy far, far away”, you would have heard about the new “pandemic”, Swine Flu. The press has been full of panic-inducing stories of Swine Flu. Deja vu? We had the SARS “pandemic” and the Bird Flu “Pandemic”. Or was it a pandemic?

Don’t get me wrong. I believe that there should be early warnings of potential health treats, be it local or global, so contamination can be minimized, but don’t be drawn into the press-induced panic attacks. The fact of the matter is that all flu can kill. In the US approximately 200,000 people are hospitalised and 36,000 die every year – that is from the usual winter flu, not swine flu. Does it play on your mind or cause you to lose sleep that you might catch the flu every winter? To put this further in perspective, 3000 people die of Malaria every DAY, but it is considered a “health problem” not a pandemic.

Many people who die from flu, die of the following bacterial infections. The majority of deaths from the 1918 Flu was from secondary bacterial infections which could be easily treated today.

The 1976 swine flu “pandemic”, never eventuated but thousands of people were paralysed and 25 deaths were caused by the vaccination.

Flu is a serious disease, whether it be swine flu, bird flu or your common or garden variety that comes around every year. It’s unlikely that you can protect yourself by wearing a mask, but it could stop you sneezing on others if you have it. Flu can last on door knobs and other surfaces for up to 3 days. It can be passed by a kiss on the cheek. If you have any flu, don’t spread it around. Don’t take it out shopping or to work with you where you can infect other people.

Symptoms of Swine Flu include:

High fever
Runny nose and/or sore throat
Cough
Headache
Joint aches and pains
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Vomiting and/or diarrhea

In other words, the same symptoms of other types of flu.

What can you do to protect yourself?

- Purified Liquid Zeolite stops viruses from replicating by capturing viral particles (this has been dramatically demonstrated in informal trials with Hepatitis C)

- Agari mushroom drops – it is said to increase your natural killer cells by 3000% within 72 hours

- Increase your Vitamin D levels. The best way is sunshine. Another way is Cod Liver Oil. If you take this route, make sure you take it with zeolite to remove any mercury. Another method is via supplement. (remember supplements of D can cause overdose if not taken at the correct dosage).

- Regularly wash your hands with warm, soapy water. This will decrease the chance of spreading the virus to your nose, mouth or other people.

- For all influenzas, increase your immune function. Purified liquid zeolite is an immune modulator. agari mushroom is a powerful immune enhancer. Echinacea, Vitamin C and plenty of water are all recommended. Swine flu has been seen in younger people, not just the young and old, the usual population at risk, therefore an actual viral inhibitor or viral killing agents may be helpful. These are things like purified liquid zeolite, olive leaf extract and grapefruit seed oil.

- Eat and juice fresh fruit and vegetables. Include garlic with this. Garlic is a powerful anti bacterial and anti viral.

- Get enough sleep. It has been shown that dropping from 8 to 7 hours of sleep a night for a week or more can lower the immune system.

- Don’t underestimate keeping well hydrated whether you have the flu or not. That is with water, not fizzy soda pops which have been shown to drop the immune system for 6 hours after drinking them.

The symptoms of Swine Flu are the same as the annual flu. (Interestingly, colds and flu outbreaks tend to happen around the world in times of least sunlight and therefore, least Vitamin D).

So far, the Swine Flu mortality rates are in line with normal influenza, not like bird flu. Bird flu had a 90% death rate, whereas this Swine flu is around 6% (as is normal flu).

At this point, all deaths from the Swine Flu have occurred in Mexico. This flu hasn’t been as severe in cases outside of that area. One possible factor in this situation, is the high pollution already causing respiratory stress in that population.

The best treatment for flu, is don’t get it! Keep yourself healthy. If you should succumb to any flu always keep an eye out for secondary bacterial infections and seek appropriate help. Swine flu is a notifiable disease. Please follow the correct procedures.
By Deborah Howlett