Saturday, August 29, 2009

Swine flu spreading at 'unbelievable' rate: WHO


Swine flu spreads four times faster than other viruses and 40 percent of the fatalities are young adults in good health, the world's top health official warned in an interview appearing Saturday.
"This virus travels at an unbelievable, almost unheard of speed," World Health Organisation Director General Margaret Chan told France's Le Monde daily in an interview.
"In six weeks it travels the same distance that other viruses take six months to cover," Chan said.
"Sixty percent of the deaths cover those who have underlying health problems," Chan said. "This means that 40 percent of the fatalities concern young adults -- in good health -- who die of a viral fever in five to seven days.
"This is the most worrying fact," she said, adding that "up to 30 percent of people in densely populated countries risked getting infected."
Chan's warning came a day after the WHO said the virus had overtaken others to become the most prevalent flu strain.
"Evidence from multiple outbreak sites demonstrates that the A(H1N1) pandemic virus has rapidly established itself and is now the dominant influenza strain in most parts of the world," the UN agency said in a statement.
"The pandemic will persist in the coming months as the virus continues to move through susceptible populations," it added.
Chan underlined that emergency and healthcare services in several countries had come under strain and stressed that resources allocated for cancer patients and those suffering from heart disease should not be diverted.
"One must not rob Peter to pay Paul," she said. "All governments must prepare for the worst."
She said the most important thing in the battle against the virus was "political leadership."
More than 2,180 people around the world have died from the virus since it emerged in April, according to the latest WHO figures.
Chan also said that it could be months before sufficient vaccine is available to combat the pandemic.
She put world production capacity at 900 million doses a year, for a global population of 6.8 billion people.
Even if this was an unprecedented effort, and authorities were speeding up procedures for getting vaccines to the market, there should be no question of compromises on their safety and effectiveness, Chan said.
Britain and France received their first batches of swine flu vaccine this week. Australia on Friday said a massive swine flu vaccination programme would start in October and Turkey hopes the first supplies of the vaccine will come by that time.
While 90 percent of severe and fatal cases occur in people aged above 65 in seasonal flu, most of those who die from swine flu are under the age of 50.
A "very severe form of disease" affecting the lungs and causing severe respiratory failure among young and healthy people was being reported, WHO said Friday, adding that highly specialised care was required.
Large numbers of such patients could therefore "overwhelm" intensive care units and disrupt the provision of care for other diseases, it warned.
In the southern hemisphere where the flu-prone winter season is tailing off, the WHO said cities in several countries had reported that nearly 15 percent of hospitalised cases required intensive care.



A related info here : http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=8438883
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

10 Things You Didn't Know About Swine Flu


1. The most recent form of swine flu, known as the H1N1 influenza virus, was first detected in the United States in April 2009.
2. Scientists say the H1N1 virus contains a mixture of genes from four different flu viruses: two genes from flu viruses normally found in pigs in Europe and Asia and two found in avian and human genes in North America.
3. The swine flu, a respiratory virus, spreads from person to person mainly through coughing or sneezing. The virus is not spread through food such as pork or pork products.
4. As of July 27, the World Health Organization confirmed 134,503 cases of swine flu and 816 deaths from the virus worldwide. WHO predicts that the virus will infect 2 billion people over the next two years.
5. Certain people, such as those 65 years and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions, are at a higher risk of more serious flu-related complications.
6. Doctors advise against "swine flu parties" where people intentionally try to get infected with a mild form of the H1N1 virus in hopes of becoming naturally immune to a deadlier form.
7. Symptoms of the recent swine flu are similar to those of the seasonal flu.
8. WHO declared swine flu a pandemic on June 11, making it the first global flu epidemic in 41 years.
9. About 160 million doses of the swine flu vaccine are expected to be available sometime in October.
10. Pregnant women with swine flu are more likely to be hospitalized, a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found. They made up 13 percent of the 45 H1N1 deaths from April 15 to June 16.
Sources:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • World Health Organization
  • Associated Press
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Monday, August 17, 2009

Know the Difference between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms


Symptom
Cold
Swine Flu
Fever
Fever is rare with a cold.Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing
A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches
Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose
Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills
Chills are uncommon with a cold.60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness
Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing
Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms
Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache
A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat
Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
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Sunday, August 16, 2009

Swine Flu a (H1 N1) | All Important Links

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Swine Flu a (H1 N1) | Helpline - India


HOSPITALS
Mumbai: Kasturba Hospital 
Ph: 022- 23083901 / 23092458 / 23000889

Mumbai: Bhabha Hospital in Bandra
Ph: 26422775 / 26429828 / 26406787

Mumbai: Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar
Ph: 022-25094149

Delhi: Malviya Nagar hospital
Ph: 011-26689999

Delhi: RML Hospital 
Ph: 011- 23365525

Chennai: Communicable Disease Hospital,
Ph: 91-11-24525211, 23404328

Bangalore: Rajiv Gandhi Institute Of Chest Diseases
Ph: 91-80-26631923

Pune: Dr. Naidu Infectious Disease Hospital,
Ph: 09923130909

Nagpur: Govt Medical College and Hospital, 
Ph: 0712-2750730

Kolkatta: Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital,
Ph: 09433392182

Mumbai: Bhagwati Hospital in Borivali
Ph: 022-28932461, 022-28932462, 022-28932463

Mumbai: M T Agarwal Hospital in Mulund
Ph: 022-25605728

Mumbai: Siddharth Hospital in Goregaon
Ph: 022 28766885, 022 28766886

Mumbai: Cooper hospital in Vile Parle
Ph: 022 6207254,022 6207256

Mumbai: S K Patil in Malad
Ph: 022 28891238

Mumbai: Bhabha hospital in Kurla
Ph: 022 6500241/144

Pune: Erandvana Hospital
Contact: Dr Sarita Ganala (9764000939)
Mhatre Bridge

Pune: Late Anandibai Narhar Gadgil Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Jyotsana Khole (9422987953)
Ganj Peth 

Pune: Late Balaji Rakhmaji Gaikwad Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Sandhya Bahule
Narayan Peth 

Pune: Late Kalavatibai Mavale Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Nila Limaye (9881385015)
Pune: Late Mamasaheb Badade Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Swati Joshi
Raviwar Peth 

Pune: Hutatma Babu Genu Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Dinesh Bende (9421018878)
Koregaon Park 

Pune: Hospital for Swine Flu (H1N1 Virus) Screening
Late Bapusaheb Ganuji Kavade Hospital, 

Contact: Dr Jaya Bhondave (9922504428)
Ganesh Peth

Pune: Late Rohidas Kirad Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Chandrashekhar Gujar
Kothrud 

Pune: Late Jayabai Nanasaheb Sutar MaternityHospital, 
Contact: Dr Shyam Satpute (9823217047)
Alandi Road

Pune: Siddharth Hospital 
Contact: Dr Bhagwant Gagare (9423004811)
Sahakarnagar

Pune: Late Shivshankar Pote Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Vidya Rajwade (9422520930)
Aundh Road

Pune: Late Baburao Genba Shavale Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Madhuri Gare (9823224789)
Yerwada

Pune: Late Damodar Ravji Galande Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Ujjwala Khristi (9730571404)
Shukrawar Peth

Pune: Dr Kotnis Health Centre, 
Contact: Dr Asmita Bhoi (9850992960)
Shivajinagar

Pune: Late Jangalrao Kondiba Amrale Hospital, 
Contact: Dr Aparna Gokhale (9823214103) 


Government Authorised Hospitals

Mumbai
Sir J J Hospital

Ph: (022) 23735555, 23739031, 23760943, 23768400 / 23731144 / 5555 / 23701393 / 1366
Haffkine Institute 
Ph: (022) 24160947, 24160961, 24160962

Chennai
King Institute of Preventive Medicine 

Ph: (044) 22501520, 22501521 & 22501522
Government General Hospital
Ph: (044) 25305000, 25305723, 25305721, 25330300

Pune
Naidu Hospital

Ph: (020) 26058243
National Institute of Virology 
Ph: (020) 26006290

Kolkata
D Hospital

Ph: (033) 23701252 Coimbatore
Coimbatore Government General Hospital

Ph: (0422) 2301393, 2301394, 2301395, 2301396

Hyderabad
Govt. General and Chest Diseases Hospital 

Ph: (040) 23814939

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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Swine Flu: Top 20 Questions and Answers

. Are swine flu symptoms different from normal human flu?

Up-to-date news on the A(H1N1) Swine flu virus



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They are similar. Swine flu is more likely to include diarrhea and vomiting, as well as the respiratory symptoms that come with typical seasonal human flu. Recent reports indicate that the A(H1N1) swine flu virus infects deeper into the lungs than typical seasonal human flu. Symptoms for swine flu include:
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
  • Headache and body aches
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy nose
For information on what swine flu is, please see our what is swine flu? article. 

2. How would I know I had swine flu if I had some symptoms?

You wouldn't, neither would your doctor. A respiratory specimen would have to be taken within the first four to five days. The specimen would be sent to a lab, which in the USA would be a CDC lab. 

Authorities and experts still do not know why symptoms were initially worse in Mexico than in the USA, Canada and other countries. However, recently reports worldwide are coming in of more severe symptoms. 

The important point is to call your doctor if you think you have the flu. Prescription anti-viral drugs such as TamiFlu or Relenza can be called in by your doctor. Unless you are:
  • exceptionally ill with flu-like symptoms
  • chronically ill
  • immune-suppressed
  • quite elderly
  • or have a very young child, under age 2
It is best not to report to a hospital, as you could risk spreading the disease. Call your doctor and do what he tells you. 

3. How long are infected people contagious?

An adult is usually contagious as long as they have symptoms - usually up to seven days following the beginning of the illness. The "shedding stage" of the virus is during the first 4-5 days of illness. Children can be considered contagious longer, up to 10 days. The initial incubation period is 24-48 hours.

4. What medications are there?

There is Tamiflu or Relenza - both have shown to be effective against these recently reported strains of swine flu. There are four anti-viral drugs altogether that are commonly used to treat various strains of flu.

5. Do these medicines prevent me from catching swine flu?

That is not currently advised. Preventative medication might be advisable for very special circumstances where a person had to expose themselves to potentially ill people during an epidemic (which we do not yet have here). Such people might include ER workers. An outbreak in a nursing home, for instance, might lead to protecting all the other residents with a drug like TamiFlu.

As the coverage time is limited, the preventative use of anti-viral medications is not advised for the general public.

Do not confuse OTC (over-the-counter) cold and flu preparations for anti-flu medications that you can only get with a prescription.

6. Do children and adults have the same symptoms?

Symptoms are similar. However, the signs of potentially life-threatening complications are not. Several countries are now reporting that younger adults and children are more likely to have more severe symptoms and complications. The CDC advises those with these symptoms to seek emergency care immediately:

  • Being extremely irritable
  • Bluish skin color
  • Rapid breathing or trouble breathing
  • Fever with a skin rash
  • Not drinking enough liquids
  • Not waking up or interacting
Emergency warning signs in adults are:
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Sudden dizziness
7. Are there any swine flu vaccines?

Not currently, but we are on the verge of getting some out. Authorities, such as the CDC in the USA are considering adding the current swine flu strain to next year's vaccine. The UK has ordered 60 million vaccines and expects to receive many of them later this year.

8. If I took the swine flu vaccine in the swine flu scare during the 70s, would that protect me now? Will this year's flu shot offer me any additional protection?

Nobody knows whether protection may be full, partial, or not at all. The current swine flu strain also has avian flu components. The avian flu component is not from the deadly bird flu strain.

9. Can I catch it from pigs?

No, you can only catch this strain from other humans. It is a mutated pig virus.

10. Can I catch it from eating pork meat and pork products?

No. Swine flu is not transmitted by the food you consume - it is not a foodborne illness. All pork food products are safe to consume - as long as they are prepared properly. The virus dies at 160 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Swine flu is transmitted in the same way normal flu is - through airborne droplets form a sick person's cough or sneeze

11. How does it cross from a pig to a human?

The swine virus mutates so that it can infect humans and be spread by humans.

12. Can it kill me?

Initially, in April 2009 when the outbreak started, symptoms appeared to be milder outside Mexico. However, this is not the case anymore. Several countries are reporting more cases of severe symptoms. The numbers are of concern, but not alarming. Health authorities throughout northern countries are expressing concern at what may happen during the coming winter when the number of flu cases rise. 

13. Why the big concern if the regular flu kills 35,000 people a year, which is why we are all encouraged to get a flu shot?

This is a new flu strain that our bodies have not been exposed to before. The flu strains that the CDC creates a vaccine for each year all have the potential to cause great harm, especially in elderly, pediatric and chronically ill patients. This particular flu strain has struck seemingly healthy, young adults, with some resulting in death in a growing number of countries. It also appears to be quite contagious. We will know more about this strain in the coming months.

14. How is it different from avian (bird) flu?

Avian flu so far has had difficulty infecting humans unless they are exposed intensely to birds, because the virus has not mutated in a way that makes it transmissible by humans to other humans. This virus has origins genetically from both pigs and birds, and the big difference from the avian flu is that this swine virus can be transmitted readily from human to human.

15. Is this just another scare that will go away like bird flu?

Initially we were not sure whether this the A(H1N1) swine flu virus would become a global pandemic. The WHO (World Health Organization) declared it a pandemic in June 2009. The number of infected people worldwide is growing fast. It is still not clear how many deaths it may cause during the coming winter months, when flu epidemics typically occur. It is clearly not fizzling out. 

16. Should I cancel my vacation to Mexico?

As people are now becoming infected in large numbers throughout the world, and infections are taking place mainly between people in their own country, cancelling any vacation to any country because of this virus is pointless. 

17. What if I'm on a plane? Should I wear a mask?

Not necessary. The air on a plane is filtered. Transmission might occur if someone sitting close to you coughs or sneezes on you. The newer designs of aircraft airflow keep the air in a top-down flow, not forced air from front to back. However, if you do have a respiratory illness, it might be best not to travel.

18. How long does the germ live on surfaces, like on my desk if someone sneezes in my office?

Influenza virus survives only minutes on inanimate objects or hands, so these are very inefficient ways to spread the illness. Influenza is most easily spread by droplets that come into contact with our mucus membranes such as when someone coughs or sneezes in our faces. If we shake hands with an infected person who has just wiped their nose and then we rather quickly rub our nose or eyes with our own hand, then we could get the flu. So, good hand washing does play a role in diminishing the spread of the disease.

19. Other than hand washing and covering my mouth if I sneeze or cough, what can I do to take care of myself and others?

If you are ill, stay home. Control your sneezes and coughs. If you cough into your hand, remember the virus could be live on your hand at least for a few minutes, so wash your hands before touching anyone else. If you get symptoms suggesting the flu, call your doctor, who can call in a prescription for medication to treat the flu. Resist going to the doctor's office or a hospital ER for influenza symptoms unless you are seriously ill. You do not want to spread the disease to others.

20. What else can I do?

Keep in touch with the most recent CDC messages through the following links:

Go to the sources of verifiable information such as WHO (World Health Organization) or the CDC.

Most important, be alert, not panicked.

"There is a huge difference between preparedness and paranoia", says Dr. Robert Emery, occupational health expert at the UT School of Public Health at Houston. "Although we're dealing with a new strain of flu, a set of universally applicable preventive measures exist that can be employed right away by everyone to help stop the spread of this disease"

Proper hand hygiene:

There's a right way and useless way to wash hands and wash away micro-organisms. The object is to break down the protective membranes of germs, dislodge them from your hands and let them go down the drain. Plain soap in the right hands is strong stuff.
  • Lather well with a bar of soap or squirt a coin size of liquid soap in the palm of your hand.
  • Vigorously rub your hands together, soap up between your fingers, AND your wrists, front and back for 15 seconds. Sing the first chorus of any song you know and that'll take you through the 15 seconds.
  • Rinse under warm, RUNNING water. Remember, the object is to dislodge germs. The force of water is key.
  • Thoroughly dry your hands with a disposable towel or under the blower, again, rubbing your hands together.
  • Discard the towel.
If you're using alcohol-based gels as hand cleansers:

Put a dime-sized amount in one hand:
  • Vigorously rub your hands together and in between your fingers until the GEL IS DRY about 30 seconds.
  • DO NOT touch your face!
Once your hands are clean, do not touch your face, nose, eyes or lips.

Rubbing your eyes and nose provides a freeway for micro-organisms and good breeding ground once they've arrived.

Cover your cough

If you must cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue, or the inside of your elbow (not your hand as you may then contaminate surfaces when you touch them). Throw the tissue away in a waste basket. Do not leave discarded tissues on your desk or other surfaces.

Then, wash you hands thoroughly.

The throw-it-away part is essential.

Micro-organisms live a life span from a few seconds to days on inanimate surfaces such as desks, table tops, faucets…tissues. If your tissues are scattered on your coffee table, they then are in contact with community surfaces. Both the tissues and the surface it sits on can spread germs to the person who touches the coffee table.

If you begin to feel ill: feverish, achy, have a dry, painful cough, sore throat, go home from school or work and call your health care provider for further instructions.

If you feel sick with flu-like symptoms and you care for the very young or the very elderly or the chronically ill, inform your health care provider when you call their office.
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