Fitness And Health

Posts Tagged ‘Swine Flu’

The CDC is reporting much increased “unusual” Flu activity so far this year.  Much of this activity is swine flu.  Much of the new cases are with young people and young adults.

Minesota is reporting “widespread” outbreaks of flu and swine flu.  “Widespread” is he CDC’s highest classification of the spread of the disease.  It means that this condition has been reported in at least half of the states regions.  30 schools across the state have reported significan numbers of cases (reported by The Mineapolis Star-Tribune).

News from the CDC is good in regard to progress on the H1N1 vaccine. New progress is that only a single dose is required.

Watch the video archive* of the September 11, 2009 briefing on the current H1N1 situation (from www.Flu.gov). Top scientists and doctors from CDC, FDA and NIH provide information on current activities including an update on the H1N1 clinical vaccine trials. *The video archive is playing continuously and you may join the Webcast in progress. An on demand version will be available shortly

For protection vaccine is the best protection but until it is available be sure to wash your hands often, sneeze into your sleave and avoid contact with those who may be infected.  Here are 8 steps the CDC recomends to protect yourself and your family: 

1. Stay home if you are sick with influenza-like illness for example, fever or chills AND cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. CDC recommends that sick workers stay home if they are ill with influenza-like illness until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8° C] or greater) or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. This would require employees to stay home for 3 to 5 days in most cases. CDC recommends this time period away from work regardless of whether or not antiviral medications are used.
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes.
4. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
5. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
6. Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean. For example, telephones, computer equipment, etc.
7. Try not to use other workers’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment. If necessary, consider cleaning them first with a disinfectant.
8. Maintain a healthy lifestyle; attention to rest, diet, exercise, and relaxation helps maintain physical and emotional health.

New Guidance for Small Business
	New guidance includes help for small businesses on writing a preparedness plan and provides ten tips to help protect the health of your employees. Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza: A Preparedness Guide for Small Business  (PDF - 3.74 MB) See more information

• Swine Flu School Closings: Fort Worth ISD, Lewisville, Ponder … – I’ve been paying close attention to the Swine Flu school closings in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, especially since I live in Plano TX myself. 
• 2009 H1N1 Flu: International Situation Update – This situation report provides an update to the international situation as of September 11th, 2009. As of September 6th, the World Health Organization (WHO) regions have reported over 277607 laboratory-confirmed cases of 2009 H1N1 …
• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Resources for State and Local Health Officials – H1N1 Influenza (Flu) Resources for State and Local Health Departments.
• US Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizations and Deaths … – As of 6:00 PM ET on September 11, 2009, CDC is reporting 1380 hospitalized cases and 196 deaths. For the 2009-2010 influenza season, states are reporting based on new case definitions for hospitalizations and deaths effective August 30.

Today, 9/3/2009 100 kids are being sent home from the 4H State Fair in Minnesota.  State health officials believe that they have contained the flu and stopped it’s spread.  You can read the complete story at the Minneapolis Star & Tribune website.

Swine Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

How Swine Flu Is Spread

Influenza virus is believed to be spread by respiratory droplets from coughs and sneezes.  The droplets can be propelled through the air and are pulled in to the nose and mouth of people nearby.  The virus may also spread when a person touches the infected droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose before they wash their hands.  Containing the droplets and clean hands are the best prevention we have just now.

Government Swine Flu Information Source

Swine flu promises a larger outbreak this fall and will fall in along side seasonal flu.  The government has created a website that has the latest alerts and information on the spread and how to prevent Swine Flu (h1n1): http://flu.gov/ Check the site to find live webcasts.

Pregnant Women And New Mom’s Are At A Higher Risk From The Flu

This webcast from Health and Human Services talks about what pregnant women and new mom’s should be aware of in regard to swine flu dangers.

Here Is What The Department of Health And Human Services Reports Now:

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with this H1N1 virus were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. All U.S. states have since reported cases of H1N1 flu infection in humans. As part of the federal government response to the H1N1 virus, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration on April 26, 2009.(Press Release)  On July 23, 2009, Secretary Sebelius signed a renewal of the determination that a public health emergency exists.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world.

Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the new H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment.

Other Swine Flu Reports From Around The Web

• The Haverblog » Blog Archive » Sir Tom (Donnelly) – arbor day arboretum Astrid Farnsworth AYA bees Ben Affleck campus life Clinton visit commencement customs week dogwood Emma Buckingham fencing Fringe Haver-film haverfest holiday traditions Joan Countryman Joe Schwartz ’83 legends Lloyd Hall Luke Wilson nature trail Norm Pearlstine ’64 Obama visit Parks you don’t get much more winning-er than this. For you alums who competed under Tom, enjoy this video clip. To put this man into perspective, running into Tom in his element is like running into Sir Paul McCartney outside Abbey Road Studios.
• WHO predicts ‘explosion’ of swine flu cases – WHO predicts ‘explosion’ of swine flu cases.
• H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Related Links – H1N1 Flu related links resources page.
• What’s Up With this Swine Flu—Oops, I Mean the H1N1 Virus – What do you make of all this business of the swine flu? I watch these news stories with all these people walking around wearing masks and wonder what to make of the whole thing. I guess because my whole life I have been around people …

Swine flu continues to taper off in most places but health officials are preparing for a possible larger outbreak in the fall.

In 1918 the pandemic circled the globe killing millions.  Whole cities were shutdown in the U.S.  In some large U.S. cities they gave up trying to bury bodies in coffins – resorting instead to mass graves dug by steam shovel.

Here is a summary of how things were in 1918 from Stanford University: http://www.stanford.edu/group/virus/uda/

Flu is virus borne and so curing it is not as simple as giving a shot.  The vaccines allow the body to prepare it’s own defense by giving us a small taste of it.

Number of new swine flu cases continues to fall

The number of people newly diagnosed with swine flu continues to fall, with 25000 new cases in England in the last week, Government estimates show today. A total of 371 patients are currently in hospital as a result of swine flu and …

First swine-flu death in Louisiana is New Orleans-area woman

Get New Orleans, Louisiana latest news. Find photos and videos, comment on the news, and join the forum discussions at NOLA.com.

H5N1: Australia: Swine flu kills US tourist

Via the Courier-Mail: Swine flu kills tourist in North Queensland. Excerpt: A 48-year-old American tourist has died of swine flu in the Cairns Hospital, bringing the number of pandemic virus-related deaths in Queensland to 23.

Miss Wagstaff Presents: Has the swine flu vaccination been experimental

Has the swine flu vaccination been adequately tested, or are we the guinea pigs? A swine flu vaccination campaign will be launched in the autumn, but only certain at risk groups, including pregnant women, will be given the jab. …

Swine flu continues to be in the news.  Health professionals tell us to expect a flare up in the fall.  You’ll find news here about Walmart, are they a good delivery for the vaccine which is set to be rolled out nationwide in the fall?

Keep in mind the best practices of clean hands and caution around people coughing as the best methods of preventing spread.

Congressman Ron Paul on the Recent Swine Flu Scare. 

Congressman Paul always has a unique perspective – and remember the Congressman is also a Doctor.

Riehl World View: Two New Mothers Succumb To Swine Flu In San Francisco

Well, this isn’t good news. Pregnant Mothers are at risk and they’re recommending vaccination. Unfortunately, I’ll assume the lawsuits from some vaccinated mothers for every conceivable birth defect will likely follow next year.

Thimerosal and the Swine Flu Vaccine

Today at the CDC in Atlanta, health officials are huddled, trying to game plan the best way to dole out a vaccine for swine flu. The race is on to develop a vaccine before the flu season kicks into high…, The World Newser is the daily …

Pregnancy Raises Swine Flu Death Risk

CDC: Healthy pregnant women are at high risk of hospitalization and death from H1N1 swine flu. Tamiflu or Relenza is recommended for pregnant women with flu symptoms.

Swine Flu News & Information: Swine Flu – Has it peaked?

Swine Flu – Has it peaked? The swine flu pandemic appears to have peaked for the moment but the virus will return with “a very big surge” in the autumn, the UK’s chief medical officer said today.

Cobden’s Comments: Swine flu strategy called into question

Now I’m no Doctor, and perhaps this chap is a bit of a maverick who underestimates the danger of swine flu and the effectiveness of the medicine. But if true, it certainly calls into question the way the Government are dealing with the flu.

WalMart and swine flu vaccine: a perfect match?

swine flu At least once a month, the typical American shopper trudges to the local WalMart (NYSE:WMT) to stock up on groceries, dry goods, entertainment, and … vaccines? The company is in talks with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about what role it can play in the CDC’s ambitious immunization process for the H1N1 (swine) influenza outbreak.

Obesity emerges as risk factor in severe flu (Reuters)

Obesity a risk factor in swine flu? (AP) AP – Some swine flu cases in Michigan are raising… Obesity may raise risk of restless legs syndrome (Reuters) Reuters – People who are obese may have an increased… Obesity may increase risk …

Swine Flu Threatens Obese

Health Care Employees Must Get Priority For Swine Flu Vaccine …

“Obesity has been observed as being one of the risk factors for most severe disease with H1N1 influenza.” Kieny said. The Director added that “people with a body mass index over 30 or even more over 40 have a higher chance of having a … I think that it is standard procedure for health care employees to get the initial vaccine – although I haven’t heard that a large proportion of individuals who have the Swine flu are health care workers – it would be easy for someone to …

Pregnant women told to stay at home as airlines vouch to anathema …

Pregnant women told to stay at home as airlines vouch to anathema swine flu suspects. Latest swine flu news from China (China) provided by SwineFluNews.org.

Swine flu is behind with a vengeance – Swine Flu Florida News

Swine flu is behind with a vengeance. Latest swine flu news from United States (Florida) provided by SwineFluNews.org.

China Quarantines British Students Due to Swine Flu – Swine Flu …

China Quarantines British Students Due to Swine Flu. Latest swine flu news from China (China) provided by SwineFluNews.org.

Swine Flu Trending Again — Sciencebase Science Blog

The UK media has been full of swine flu (H1N1) again this week, it’s been trending, to borrow Twitter terminology, …

Asia Cautious over Flu Pandemic