INFLUENZA - SWINE FLU

WHAT IS SWINE FLU ?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses (H1N1 subtype) that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus.

Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people. This virus is spreading probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

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.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu in humans and may include:

• Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
  
• Sore throat
  
• Cough
  
• Stuffy nose
  
• Chills
  
• Headache and body aches
  
• Fatigue
  

HOW DOES SWINE FLU SPREAD ?

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 flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

MINIMISING THE RISK OF AN EPIDEMIC

• Culling – killing large numbers of infected and potentially infected animals
  
• Quarantine – putting infected farms in quarantine
  
• Vaccinating birds against the virus – remains controversial and contentious. Indonesia launched poultry vaccination in July 2004 and Thailand is considering the same measure
  
• Latest normal flu vaccine – for people involved in culling operations to minimize the risk of being infected by both bird flu and human flu simultaneously.
  

HOW CAN SOMEONE WITH THE FLU INFECT SOMEONE ELSE ?

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.

WHAT SHOULD I DO TO KEEP FROM GETTING THE FLU ?

First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

• Avoid live animal markets, poultry and pig farms in affected countries
  
• Always maintain high levels of personal hygiene, especially before and after food preparation and in-out of toilets. Regular wash your hands
  
• Cook pork thoroughly
  
• Do not consume half-done pork
  
• While in an affected region, seek immediate medical attention if you develop influenza-like symptoms. (High Fever, body pain, coughing and red nose)
  

TRAVEL HEALTH

Spreading Country as on April 27, 2009 are ; Mexico, US, New Zealand, Israel, China

WHO does not recommend any travel restrictions to areas experiencing outbreaks, including countries, which have reported, associated cases of human infection.

WHO does not, at present recommend the routine screening of travelers coming from affected areas.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM GETTING SICK ?

There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• 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. Germs spread this way
  
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people
  

IS IT SAFE IF I EAT PORK ?

Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

THERE ARE EVERYDAY ACTIONS PEOPLE CAN TAKE TO STAY HEALTHY

• 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 youcough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP FROM SPREADING THE VIRUS THROUGH COUGHING OR SNEEZING ?

If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work , stay at home or in your hotel room . Cover your mouth and nose with a mask 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 mask. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

TRAVEL ADVISORY

a) DO YOU REALLY NEED TO TRAVEL?

b) Before any travel to affected area

• Educate yourself and others traveling with you
  
• Take specific vaccinations as recommended by CDC of both US and Thailand
  
• Assemble travel health kit
  
• Check your health insurance plan
  

c) During travel to an affected area

• Avoid all direct contact with pigs and visiting the farms
  
• Practice careful and frequent hand washing
  
• Consume thoroughly cooked food
  
• Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur
  

d) After your return

• Monitor your health for 10 days
  
• If you become ill with high fever consult a doctor immediately.
  

FOOD SAFETY ISSUES

• Cook food thoroughly
  
• Follow good hygienic practices
  
• No “pink” parts for meat
  
• Buy food from safe and established supermarkets
  
• Check the expiry date (if any)
  
• Choose a clean and known restaurant for dining
  

GENERAL HEALTH TIPS

• Avoid close contact with sick people. Keep safe distance
  
• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands
  
• Cover your mouth and nose
  
• Cover mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing
  
• Clean your hands
  
• Frequent hand washing will protect you from germs
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
  
• Germs often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth
  

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I GET SICK ?

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

• 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:

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

IS THERE A HUMAN VACCINE TO PROTECT FROM SWINE INFLUENZA ?

There are no vaccines that contain the current swine influenza virus causing illness in humans. It is not known whether current human seasonal influenza vaccines can provide any protection. Influenza viruses change very quickly. It is important to develop a vaccine against the currently circulating virus strain for it to provide maximum protection to the vaccinated people. This is why WHO needs access to as many viruses as possible in order to select the most appropriate candidate vaccine virus.

WHAT DRUGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TREATMENT ?

Antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza are available in some countries and effectively prevent and treat the illness. There are two classes of such medicines, 1) adamantanes (amantadine and remantadine), and 2) inhibitors of influenza neuraminidase (oseltamivir and zanamivir).

But why suddenly the virus shows up now?? And why the first reports were in Mexico?

maybe it already happened before, but we still don't know about it that time...

Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called “swine flu”?

This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a
“quadruple reassortant” virus.

What is the difference between a vaccine and an antiviral?

Vaccines are usually given to prevent infections. Influenza vaccines are made from either pieces of the killed influenza virus or weakened versions of the live virus that will not lead to disease. When vaccinated, the body’s immune system makes antibodies which will fight off infection if exposure to the virus occurs.

Antivirals are drugs that can treat people who have already been infected by a virus. They also can be used to prevent infection when given before or shortly after exposure and before illness occurs. A key difference between a vaccine and antiviral drug is that the antiviral drug will prevent infection only when administered within a certain time frame before or after exposure and is effective during the time that the drug is being taken while a vaccine can be given long before exposure to the virus and can provide protection over a long period of time.

From... http://health.yahoo.com/news/afp/healthfluworldnames_20090727161025.html

'New flu' takes on different names as crosses borders



By AFP - Mon Jul 27, 9:04 AM PDT

PARIS (AFP) - The flu pandemic sweeping the globe has triggered a heated semantic debate, with different names favoured in different countries and even top health officials baffled over what to call the virus.

The World Health Organisation, the UN body leading efforts to fight the virus, originally went with the term "swine flu" but then junked the evocative name in favour of the more prosaic A(H1N1). When the virus erupted in Mexico in March, it was thought it stemmed from people working with pigs and quickly acquired the name "swine flu".

But the WHO now plays down this link, saying the virus is spread person-to-person and there are no known cases of people being infected by exposure to pigs or other animals. Pork is also still perfectly safe to eat, the UN's health body insists, and classes the virus's place of origin as "unknown".

Media in English-speaking countries have stuck with the term "swine flu", however, while a range of names are vying for prominence in the Francophone and Spanish-speaking world.

In France, "flu A (H1N1)" leads the pack and is sometimes condensed down to the "flu A", which is also the preferred term in Switzerland. In Belgium, the French-language press (such as newspapers La Libre Belgique and Le Soir) use the term "flu A", "A/H1N1" or "AH1N1".

The country's Flemish press such as De Standaard or Het Laatste Nieuws, meanwhile, refers to "Mexican flu", also the term favoured in the Netherlands.

Algeria has decided on "swine flu" in its headlines but adds "A (H1N1)" later in news stories.

In Italy, Portugal and Spain, "flu A" appears most often in the media, or simply "the new flu", which is also used in Greece. Croatia and Bosnia refer to "swine flu" but Serbia prefers "Mexican flu".

The official system to designate flu viruses refers first to the type (A,B,C, with A the only one responsible for pandemics), the place of origin, a local code for the virus, the year the virus was isolated, and finally the antigen formula (H and N refer to the two proteins - antigens - which form the casing of the virus).

For example, the vaccine against seasonal flu last year had three strains: A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1); A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2); B/Florida/4/2006.

It is endeed a very dangerous swine flu. At my school, lots of people were asked to stay at home.

maklumat terkini... sehingga Jumaat 31 Julai 2009 di Malaysia

bilangan kes: 1371
sembuh: 1341
kematian: 4
masih dirawat: 21 (menerima anti-viral di hospital termasuk ICU) & 9 rawatan di rumah
jangkitan dr luar negara: 574
jangkitan dlm negara: 797

*amalkan tahap kebersihan yg tinggi

maklumat terkini... sehingga Ahad, 2 Ogos 2009 di Malaysia

Perkara	Jumlah	Catatan
Bilangan kes	1429
Sembuh	1394 (98%)
Kematian	6
Masih dirawat	19 terima anti-viral di hospital (termasuk 8 di UCU) & 10 rawatan anti-viral di rumah.
Jangkitan dari luar negara	574 (40%)
Jangkitan dlm negara	855 (60%)
Bilangan kes seluruh dunia	183,826
Kematian	1301
bilangan negara terlibat	167

*amalkan tahap kebersihan yg tinggi
*sumber: Daily Express 3ogos09

MAKLUMAT TERKINI sampai 6 ogos sudah 261 buah sekolah yg tersenarai +ve H1N1 ( sumber :KPM )... ui bikin takut ni virus.Adakah dunia kita suda menghampiri 'tempoh'nya?

hehe... virus semakin 'canggih'... hingga sukar dihapuskan... sehingga kini belum ada vaksin utk H1N1... tp saya rasa, wabak ini akan terhenti sendirinya spt wabak2 sebelum ini, contoh SARS... tau kenapa ia terhenti sendiri? sb pembentukan antibodi pd tubuh badan mereka yg menghidapinya...

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh,takutnya saya takut mati sebab eah1n1

walauapapun,kita haruslah mnjaga kebersihan diri kita...dan jga pemakanan kita...jgn selalu makan kat luar....

doa dilindungi wabak H1N1
tahassontu bizil izzati waljabaruti wa`tasomtu birabbil malakuti watawakkaltu alalhaiyyillazi la yamutu isrif anna albalaa walwabaa innaka ala kulli shaiin qodir....
diambil swktu saya menghadiri khemah ibadah di sek mgs
moga b'gna buat kite smua.

BETUL KATA MIRA

maklumat terkini... sehingga Isnin, 10 Ogos 2009 di Malaysia

Perkara	Jumlah	Catatan
Bilangan kes	1938
Sembuh	1394 (98%)	Belum update
Kematian	32
Masih dirawat	67 terima anti-viral di hospital, 15 di ICU
Jangkitan dari luar negara	574 (40%)	Belum update
Jangkitan dlm negara	855 (60%)	Belum update
Bilangan kes seluruh dunia	208,155
Kematian	1688
bilangan negara terlibat	174
Kategori risiko tinggi dijangkiti	Kanak2 berumur 5 tahun ke bawah, oran tua 65 tahu ke atas, wanita mengandung, kanak2 & remaja yg mengambil aspirin dlm tempoh yg lama, pesakit asthma, penyakit paru2 kronik, pesakit kencing manis, kegemukan, penyakit hati & kardivaskular & tahap imuniti badan yg rendah.

*tulisan merah - belum dikemas-kini
*amalkan tahap kebersihan yg tinggi
*sumber: Daily Express 11ogos09

ramai ye yang dijangkiti penyakit H1N1

ya... dan semakin ramai... jgalah kebersihan diri... ikuti langkah2 keselamatan...

maklumat terkini... sehingga Isnin, 14 Ogos 2009 di Malaysia

Perkara	Jumlah	Catatan
Bilangan kes	2250
Sembuh	1394 (98%)	Belum update
Kematian	51
Masih dirawat	67 terima anti-viral di hospital, 15 di ICU	Belum update
Jangkitan dari luar negara	574 (40%)	Belum update
Jangkitan dlm negara	855 (60%)	Belum update
Bilangan kes seluruh dunia	208,155	Belum update
Kematian	1688	Belum update
bilangan negara terlibat	174	Belum update
Kategori risiko tinggi dijangkiti	Kanak2 berumur 5 tahun ke bawah, oran tua 65 tahu ke atas, wanita mengandung, kanak2 & remaja yg mengambil aspirin dlm tempoh yg lama, pesakit asthma, penyakit paru2 kronik, pesakit kencing manis, kegemukan, penyakit hati & kardivaskular & tahap imuniti badan yg rendah.

*tulisan merah - belum dikemas-kini
*amalkan tahap kebersihan yg tinggi
*sumber: http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/ap/20090813/tap-as-malaysia-swine-flu-b3c65ae.html