Alcoholism is a serious illness that is treatable, but the first step toward an alcoholism cure is to realize there is a problem. If you drink because you feel sad or angry, if it causes you to be late for work or not show up at all, if your family worries about your drinking habit or if you ever tell yourself that you won’t drink and then do it anyway, you may be suffering from alcoholism.

The second step to a successful alcoholism cure is to visit a doctor to determine w…
alcoholism cure
Alcoholism is a serious illness that is treatable, but the first step toward an alcoholism cure is to realize there is a problem. If you drink because you feel sad or angry, if it causes you to be late for work or not show up at all, if your family worries about your drinking habit or if you ever tell yourself that you won’t drink and then do it anyway, you may be suffering from alcoholism.

The second step to a successful alcoholism cure is to visit a doctor to determine whether or not you have a dependency on alcohol, whether or not you should cut back or quit altogether. If you find that you consume alcohol even though you have other medical problems, it is important that you stop right away. A physician will advise you on the best way to begin your alcoholism cure.

Because alcoholism tends to be passed down genetically, you may be at a higher risk for developing dependency and a pattern of excessive drinking before you even know it. If your family does have a history of alcoholism, it is best to minimize or completely avoid social drinking.

Once you recognize the problem and wish to proceed with an alcoholism cure, you should take a piece of paper and write down all of the reasons that you want to stop drinking. The next step is to set a realistic goal, which should not be overly harsh or unreachable. During your treatment, keep a journal of your drinking habits so that you can make sure to stay on track. This should be done for one month and will provide you with motivation to continue reducing your alcohol intake.

One of the most positive steps toward an alcoholism cure is to remove all of the alcohol from your home. Staying active may also help to reduce your desire to drink and may include a trip to the movies, a sporting event or dining out at a local restaurant. By removing yourself from situations where you may be tempted to drink, you may effectively lessen the likelihood that you will even want a drink. If you find that your attempts at an alcoholism cure are unsuccessful, join a support group or enroll in a treatment clinic on either an in-patient or out-patient basis.

This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice or recommendations for an alcoholism cure. Before deciding on the most effective method of treatment, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual situation.

One of the things you have to remember is that influenza is spread via germs, and germs are spread via contact with contaminated items then contact with either your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can’t get through the pores of your skin and need a convenient opening to get into. Don’t give them that opening. There’s a simple and easy way to do it: just wash your hands regularly, especially before eating anything or touching anything that you want to eat – like that tasty sandwich you’re about to have for a snack

It may seem rather simplistic but the regular act of rinsing and disinfecting your hands can help make sure that you never get infected with the swine flu. Another way to avoid infection is to avoid close contact with sick people. Remember germs can also be transmitted by air though microscopic droplets that are released when a person coughs or sneezes. Standing around sick people increases the chance of infection so try to avoid doing that, mostly because you can’t avoid touching stuff that they’ve sneezed on and those germs can go directly into your nose and mouth when you inhale.

So what if you suddenly get the sniffles? Is it time to hie off to the doctor for a consult? The smart thing to do is to just stay at home first and monitor your condition. The problem with identifying the swine flu is that it shares many of the same symptoms as the normal run-of-the-mill human flu: coughs, colds, fevers and the whole nine yards. Take the usual medicine at first and see if you settle down after that.

The over-the-counter antiviral drugs aren’t as effective on swine flu as human flu but they can make you feel a whole lot better and rev up you immune system to deal with your infection. You should also try your best to limit the infection to yourself. Cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing so as to prevent the spread of germs in your environment.

If your symptoms are taking too long to cure, you might be infected. Note that swine flu is like the normal flu in that it manages to weaken your immune system for other respiratory diseases like pneumonia and bronchitis to spread. It can also worsen any conditions that you might currently have, like asthma. If you start vomiting or start suffering from diarrhea, it’s time to have the doctor drop by immediately.

Although it has caused a few deaths, the swine flu is nothing to worry about. As long as it has been caught early, there is treatment available in the form of antiviral inhibitors that help stop the virus from reproducing, which should help make you feel a whole lot better.

The current situation may all seem a bit frightening, but the swine flu is just a disease. All you need to protect yourself from it is to act smart and be prepared. Hopefully, this information can help a bit and act as theat ounce of prevention so you won’t have to use that pound of cure.

As reports of Swine Flu across the world increase, there are a number of answers that are important to know.
Swine Flu, avian flu, h5n1, health
Q – What is Swine Flu?

A – Swine Flu is an infection of a flu virus known to affect birds, particularly migratory birds, ducks and chickens. Swine Flu is also reportedly known to affect pigs and most recently, humans. Thought to affect all species, the virus does not adversely affect ducks. Ducks have developed antibodies against the virus and they only act as carriers of the disease without exhibiting any symptoms of Swine Flu infection.

Migratory birds are carriers of the Swine Flu virus and do not show symptoms of Swine Flu infection. This makes them a crucial factor in the spreading of the disease. Other known diseases are transmitted in one area or a few areas only with a small radius. However, in the case of Swine Flu, the virus can be transmitted over great distances ?from one country to another ?since migratory birds travel from continent to continent. Another factor that contributes to the spreading of the disease is the exportation and importation of infected birds in the international markets.

Q – How is Swine Flu transmitted?

A – Swine Flu is transmitted through direct contact with infected poultry, particularly upon contact with infected skin, saliva, nasal secretions and feces. The virus also spreads through poultry feeds, water reservoirs and cages. When birds are packed closely together, such as in poultry farms, the avian influenza viruses spread very rapidly among them. Transmission of the virus from chickens to humans can occur through contact with equipment, vehicles and clothing that have secretions from infected poultry.

Swine Flu virus is resilient. It can survive in contaminated manure at very low temperatures for at least three months. The virus can survive in water for up to four days in hot temperatures and up to 30 days in cold temperatures. However, heat and disinfectants such as formalin and other iodine compounds are able to kill the virus.

Q – Who are at risk?

A – Many people mistakenly believe that they can contract the Swine Flu virus if they eat cooked chicken and eggs. However, chickens cooked at 56 degrees Celsius for three hours or at 60 degrees Celsius for half an hour are safe. The only way that people can contract the virus is if they come in direct contact with secretions and feces of infected poultry. Poultry raisers and those who are in the poultry and livestock industry are highly susceptible to contracting the virus. Those who prepare chickens and eggs of infected poultry may also be infected if the virus is fresh enough to infect them.

Q – Is there a possibility of human to human transmission of the Swine Flu virus?

A – Fortunately, there is still no sign of the Swine Flu virus being transmitted from one human to another. There have been cases of humans being infected with the virus and dying from it, but these people acquired the infection directly from birds and not from another infected person. This needs to be emphasized because there are some who think that the disease could be contracted from an infected human similar to how ordinary flu is transmitted.

To date, there is no evidence of human to human transmission of the Swine Flu virus. However, many scientists believe that human to human transmission of the Swine Flu virus is highly possible because the virus is can easily mutate and is constantly evolving. Mutation of the virus may lead to human to human transmission and scientist say this can occur in two ways. One, the virus enters the human body and mutates within the body, and two, the virus combines with ordinary human flu in the body of humans or pigs, which are susceptible to both kinds of flu.

But, randomly, the human race got infected with Swine flu. Most frequently, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (example: owner and or workers in the swine backyard or industry or even the children near pigs at a fair).

The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. Symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu such as cough, fever, body aches, sore throat, chills, fatigue and headache.
Swine Flu is a respiratory track infection from the hogs. This kind of virus can kill the human race just like what happen to a pregnant woman and another individual in Texas with also reported death in Washington. This infection is a worldwide virus outbreak that started in Mexico and eventually spread from one country to another continent including China.

A flu deadly disease occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity at all and those whom their hospitals are more than 10 to 20 miles from their community can easily infected with the Swine Flu. The transmission of human to human of Swine flu can also be done.

This is thought to happen in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus to an uninfected individual will be infected also. People may also become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then they touch their mouth or nose. The disease spreads easily by human to human transmission and can be cause with serious sickness, and can spread to other individuals in your community, spread out across the country and even worldwide in a very short period of time.

A big NO-NO to some individuals who think that swine flu can also get from foods we eat. Take note that influenza viruses cannot be transmitted by food by means of eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and properly cooked pork is safe.

Swine Flu can be monitor if you consult to your health officer directly if you are not feeling well for more than 24 hours especially if you have a hog race industry in your backyard. They will advice you on how to plan, prepare and prevent the Swine Flu virus that spread out worldwide.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is the medical term for what most people refer to as acid reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal is a relatively new term for acid reflux disease. It has been used for approximately the past 20 years. Before that it was just referred to as heartburn. But heartburn is just one of the symptoms of GERD. Some of the other symptoms of GERD are regurgitation, hoarseness or laryngitis, the feeling of a lump in the throat, coughing, bad breath,…
GERD, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, acid reflux, heartburn
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD, is the medical term for what most people refer to as acid reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal is a relatively new term for acid reflux disease. It has been used for approximately the past 20 years. Before that it was just referred to as heartburn. But heartburn is just one of the symptoms of GERD. Some of the other symptoms of GERD are regurgitation, hoarseness or laryngitis, the feeling of a lump in the throat, coughing, bad breath, asthma, difficulty swallowing, and water brash. Some people with GERD do not have any symptoms at all.

What happens to cause GERD? It starts with acid in the stomach washing back up into the esophagus repeatedly, which happens if the lower esophageal sphincter becomes relaxed.

Some foods and beverages can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. This is not an all-inclusive list but some of the most common are: chocolate, licorice, peppermint, fatty foods, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol. Barbiturates, calcium-channel blockers, Diazepam and Sumitriptan are some of the medications that cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and allow acid back in to the esophagus.

Lifestyle changes can be very effective in helping to control GERD although over- the-counter medications, prescription medications, and possibly surgery, may also be necessary. Some of the lifestyle changes that may help control GERD include: losing weight if you are overweight, avoiding high-fat foods, not lying down right after eating, not eating large heavy meals (i.e. don’t overstuff yourself-especially on fatty foods), and stopping smoking if you are a smoker.

GERD can be a difficult disease to diagnosis. That is because of the wide range of symptoms people can experience and the complication of some people not experiencing any symptoms at all. It is easier to diagnosis if a person is experiencing the classic symptoms of GERD which are heartburn and regurgitation. In some cases a physician will not do tests right away but will first prescribe over-the-counter or prescription medications to see if they clear up the symptoms.

If the medications do not take care of the symptoms then a physician will likely do one or more of the following diagnostic tests: x-rays with a barium swallow, an upper gastrointestinal x-ray series, an upper endoscopy, an esophageal manometry, or a 24-hour pH probe. The reason physicians may try over-the-counter or prescription medications before running tests is because some of the tests, such as the upper endoscopy and pH probe are invasive, and because of the costs of some of the tests.

After diagnosing GERD, a physician will recommend lifestyle changes such as the ones mentioned earlier in this article to help control the GERD, and depending on the severity will recommend over-the-counter medications or will prescribe a stronger medication by prescription. The medications may need to be continued indefinitely because over half of all people who stop taking their medications after getting their symptoms under control have a recurrence within a year.

If the medications do not alleviate the symptoms, surgery may be needed. Surgery is also an alternative to having to take medications indefinitely. A procedure called a “Nissen fundoplication?is the type of surgery typically done to relieve GERD. In the surgery the upper part of the stomach located near the esophagus, called the “fundus,?is wrapped around the lower esophagus. Doing this strengthens the barrier function of the lower esophagus, thus preventing gastreosophageal reflux and repairing the main irregularity that occurs in people suffering from GERD. The surgery is usually done laparoscopically. It is considered a safe surgery (but remember any surgery carries risks) that typically gives good results.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of H1N1 infection is similar to that of seasonal flu. Among the symptoms include cough, sore throat, running or stuffy nose, chills and fatigue, to name just a few. Several people infected with the virus have complained of diarrhea and vomiting. The high risk groups prone to H1N1 is not yet known at the moment but it is likely that they are similar to those suffering from seasonal influenza.

People at greater risk of serious side effects from seasonal flu include people more than 65 years old, children below 5 years old, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical consitions as well as those who are taking immunosuppressive medications or with HIV infection.

Avoid Social Contact

If you are feeling sick, your condition may last for more than a week. You should remain at home and refrain from making social contact. As much as possible, you should not communicate with other people to avoid the spread of the virus.

At the moment, the CDC believes that H1N1 has similar properties on the aspect of transmission with seasonal flu virus. If you go out of the house to consult your doctor, wear a mask or use a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

According to recent studies, people suffering from seasonal flu are at risk to transmit the disease a day prior to development of symptoms for up to seven days after getting sick.

Children are more likely to be at risk for a longer period of time so it is best to consult a healthcare provider.

Emergency Warning Signs

If you suddenly become sick and experience any of the following warning signs, this is your cue to seek emergency medical assistance.

In the case of children becoming ill due to H1N1infection, the following warning signs may require immediate medical attention:

* Fast or difficulty in breathing
* Bluish or gray colored skin
* Insufficient amount of liquids
* Severe or continuous vomiting
* Lack of sleep or interaction
* Irritability
* Recovery from flu-like symptoms but the symptoms come back with fever and worse coughing

Among adults, the following emergency warning signs demand immediate medical attention:

* Trouble with breathing or shortness of breath
* Abdominal pains or pressure in the chest
* The individual suddenly becomes dizzy
* The patient is confused
* Severe or continuous vomiting
* Recovery from flu-like symptoms but the symptoms come back with fever and worse coughing

Prevention Is The Best Treatment

You can do your part in preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus. Here are some tips on how you can take part in efforts for preventing the spread of infection.

* Be aware. Obtain information about H1N1 by visiting the website of the CDC.

* Use a tissue in covering your mouth and nose when sneezing. Afterwards, throw the tissue in the trash.

* With soap and water, wash your hands after coughing or sneezing. If possible, use alcohol-based sanitizers.

* Refrain from touching your nose or mouth as this could lead to easy transmission of germs.

By being aware of swine flu symptoms, the spread of the H1N1 virus would easily be prevented.

So why are health experts becoming alarmed about the H5N1 (“bird flu? virus? People are concerned because the virus has demonstrated the ability to kill a high percentage of the humans it infects.
avoid Swine Flu h5n1 avian influenza outbreak pandemic worldwide health virus infection infectious disease
Avian influenza or “bird flu?has now caused more than 60 deaths worldwide, with the most recent epidemic in Indonesia, where four people have died. On a global basis, 60 deaths are not very many. So why are health experts becoming alarmed about the H5N1 (“bird flu? virus? People are concerned because the virus has demonstrated the ability to kill a high percentage of the humans it infects. In addition, it has spread from birds to many other species, which is very uncharacteristic of viruses. The spread of infection in birds increases the opportunities for direct infection of humans. If more humans become infected over time, the likelihood also increases that humans, if concurrently infected with human and avian-influenza strains, could serve as the “mixing vessel?for the emergence of a novel subtype-with sufficient human genes to be easily transmitted from person to person.

Once the virus acquires the capability to “go human,?an influenza pandemic (that is, a worldwide epidemic) would likely ensue in a matter of weeks. To date, the vast majority of infections of Swine Flu in humans have been acquired by close contact with domestic poultry. However, there is one documented case of human-to-human transmission in Thailand. It remains a curious fact that most people who have worked with poultry infected with the bird-flu virus, culling infected birds for example, have not become infected-a fact that no one seems able to adequately explain.

The antigenic changes (that is, changes in the exterior proteins-Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase) in bird and human influenza viruses go on year after year. Annual influenza outbreaks typically do not cause severe illness and death, because people have built up natural immunity to the viruses over a period of years. Rapid spread of H5N1 viruses between humans, on the other hand, will led to explosive global expansion in which everyone is at risk for infection, illness, and death because of a complete lack of natural immunity to the virus.

Because avian influenza or “bird flu?is much more deadly than the regular annual flu in humans, coupled with the high infectiousness of influenza viruses in general, a bird-flu pandemic is potentially very deadly, causing many tens-or even hundreds-of millions of deaths across the globe. In September 2005, Dr. David Nabarro of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, “A new pandemic would claim between 5 million and 150 million people.?
Once a flu pandemic starts, everyone will be at risk of getting pandemic flu, because no one has natural immunity to the virus. However, certain groups may be at greater risk of dying than others. There are strong indications that the coming bird-flu pandemic may be similar to the influenza pandemic of 1918 and, if so, healthy adults would be most at risk of dying, along with pregnant women and the elderly.

Why are healthy adults at greatest risk? It appears that the H5N1 bird-flu virus causes a massive immunological response against the virus in those with the strongest immune systems. Unfortunately, this causes the release of human enzymes called “cytokines,?which destroy lung cells along with viral particles. This, in turn, causes a deadly outpouring of fluids into the lung, which interferes with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This reaction is frequently fatal. There are few effective treatments-one of the only treatments available is to place the patient on a ventilator, a mechanical respirator. Even with this treatment, patients often die from complications.

Bradford Frank, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A.
The Frank Group
P.O. Box 138
Lakewood, NY 14750
www.AvoidBirdFlu.com

Transmission of influenza virus from swine to humans is relatively uncommon and does not always result to human influenza but often leads to production of antibodies in the blood. When properly cooked, pig meat does not have the potential of passing the virus. Transmission that leads to human influenza is called zoonotic swine flu.

People who work with pigs, particularly those with direct exposure, are at greater risk of being infected with swine flu. Towards the middle of the 20th century, identification of influenza subtypes became likely paving the way for an accurate diagnosis of transmission to humans. Since then, 50 infections have been confirmed and recorded.

It is rare for these strains of swine flu to be transmitted from one human to another. In humans, the symptoms of swine flu are similar to common influenza as well as influenza-like illness such as chills, sore throat, fever, coughing, muscular pains, severe headache, and general discomfort.
The 2009 swine flu outbreak in humans was caused by a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 which have genes that closely resemble swine influenza. The root of this new strain is not known. According to the World Health Organization for Animal Health, this new strain has not been isolated in pigs. It is capable of human-to-human transmission and manifests the normal symptoms of influenza.

Swine can be infected with human influenza such as the case of the 1918 flu pandemic and the 2009 flu outbreak. Swine flu was first proposed as a disease associated with humans during the 1918 flu pandemic. During that time, pigs became simultaneously sick with humans.

Influenza virus as a cause of disease in pigs was first identified in 1930. For the next six decades, strains of swine influenza became almost exclusively H1N1. From 1997 to 2002, new strains of three varied subtypes and 5 different genotypes were identified as the cause of influenza among pigs in North America.

From 1997-1998, H3N2 strains developed. They included genes acquired through reassortment of human, avian, and swine viruses and have been a principal cause of wine influenza in North America. Reassortment between H1N1 and H3N2 resulted to the development of H1N2. In Canada, a strain of H4N6 resulted from the reassortment of avian and swine flu but was isolated on a single farm.

The H1N1 variant of swine flu is one of the descendants of the strain that brought about the 1918 flu pandemic. While persisting in pigs, the descendants of the 1918 virus have also been transmitted throughout the 20th century which resulted to the usual seasonal influenza outbreaks.
It is interesting to note that direct infection from pigs to humans is rare, with only 12 confirmed cases in the United States since 2005.

However, since the influenza strains remain in the pigs after they have disappeared in the human population can make these pigs a reservoir where the influenza virus could survive and later on transmitted to humans as soon as their immunity to the strain is no longe effective.

Swine flu has been recorded as zoonosis in humans several times, oftentimes with limited distribution and rarely with massive distribution. Swine outbreaks are common and can lead to significant economic losses in the industry, mainly leading to stunting and expanded market time. Swine influneza, for instance, the British meat industry has experienced £65 million of losses annually.

Strep throat is an illness that commonly accompanies flu or cold. Although it commonly affects children, strep throat can occur at any age. Unlike sore throat, an ailment caused by infection with viral agents, strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria are very contagious and they can be easily acquired by entering in contact with infected people. In order to minimize the chances of acquiring strep throat, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and to avoid close contact with people who show signs of the illness. Although good personal hygiene can’t effectively prevent the occurrence of strep throat, it decreases the risks of acquiring streptococcus bacteria. People who suffer from strep throat should avoid entering in contact with other people in order to prevent spreading the illness.
strep throat, strep throat symptoms, treatment for strep throat
Strep throat is an illness that commonly accompanies flu or cold. Although it commonly affects children, strep throat can occur at any age. Unlike sore throat, an ailment caused by infection with viral agents, strep throat is caused by infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria are very contagious and they can be easily acquired by entering in contact with infected people. In order to minimize the chances of acquiring strep throat, it is important to maintain proper hygiene and to avoid close contact with people who show signs of the illness. Although good personal hygiene can’t effectively prevent the occurrence of strep throat, it decreases the risks of acquiring streptococcus bacteria. People who suffer from strep throat should avoid entering in contact with other people in order to prevent spreading the illness.

Strep throat can generate intense symptoms such as difficult breathing, mucus-producing cough, headache, throat inflammation and pain, enlargement of the tonsils and lymph nodes, and fever. In some cases, strep throat can be accompanied by scarlet fever, generating skin inflammation and rashes. Although it may sound serious, scarlet fever can be effectively overcome through the means of an appropriate medical treatment with antibiotics. However, in some cases strep throat can lead to serious complications such as kidney problems, heart affections and rheumatic fever, which are very difficult to treat. In order to prevent the occurrence of such complications, doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics in the treatment of strep throat.

While antibiotics are effective in preventing the occurrence of various diseases associated with strep throat, these commonly prescribed drugs can’t always completely overcome infection with streptococcus bacteria. This type of bacteria has become very resistant to common antibiotics and nowadays doctors experience difficulties in prescribing an effective treatment for strep throat. In present, more and more patients who follow medical treatments with antibiotics suffer a relapse of the infection and due to this fact, doctors are looking for more effective ways of overcoming strep throat.

Due to their decreased efficiency in curing strep throat, antibiotics have lately been replaced by other forms of treatment. Homeopathic treatments have proved to be one of the best alternatives to antibiotics in overcoming infection with streptococcus bacteria, and they are nowadays recommended to most people who suffer from strep throat. Homeopathic treatments have fewer side-effects and they minimize the chances of relapse.

Belladonna is one of the most common medicines prescribed in homeopathic treatments for strep throat. Prescribed in the incipient stages of the illness, belladonna can rapidly alleviate throat inflammation and pain, it can decongest the airways and it can also ameliorate fever. Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, Mercurius is also a very effective medicine for strep throat. Mercurius provides a rapid relief for throat inflammation and pain, and it can also fight against bacteria. Another effective medicine in the homeopathic treatment of strep throat is Phytolacca. This medicine can quickly alleviate throat swelling, pain and cough and it is usually prescribed to very young children. In order to speed up the process of recovery from illness, homeopathic treatments for strep throat can also include Echinacea and multivitamin supplements.

Combined with proper rest and a good diet, homeopathic treatments can effectively overcome strep throat, also minimizing the risk of relapse. Homeopathic treatments are very well tolerated by the organism and they are a lot safer than antibiotics. Prescribed for uncomplicated forms of strep throat, homeopathic treatments are a reliable alternative to antibiotics.

People who have close or direct contact to infected poultry can contract the disease after coming in contact with bird secretions or feces.
Swine Flu, avian flu, h5n1, health
When Swine Flu hit most Asian countries, it prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to urge China to test its wild birds, particularly geese that migrate from its waters during the harsh winter. The disease spread so fast from one bird to another that about 5,000 birds were killed in one season. People who have close or direct contact to infected poultry can contract the disease after coming in contact with bird secretions or feces.

Although many are divided on the possibility of direct human to human transmission of the virus, this possibility has not been ruled out. Viruses, in general, are known to mutate. In the case of Swine Flu, family members infected with it may show different severity of symptoms, prompting a misdiagnosis. Also, if a person who has the common flu becomes infected with Swine Flu at the same time, it can lead to the mutation of the Swine Flu virus.

At the University of Leicester in Great Britain, it was discovered that a full-blown Swine Flu pandemic could cause an 80% mortality rate. A team led by Karl Nicholson is developing the Swine Flu vaccine with the goal of decreasing the fatality should a fourth major pandemic occur. In the last century, there have been three recorded major pandemics: the Spanish Flu in 1918, the Asian Flu in 1957 and the Hong Kong Flu in 1968. In total, the three pandemics claimed at least 20 million people.

The Swine Flu virus, which can be transmitted through direct contact with a bird’s infected saliva, nasal secretions and feces, can survive for up to a week at 22 degrees Celsius. At freezing temperatures, the virus can survive indefinitely. It is no surprise that the Swine Flu virus tends to last in colder climates and is pronounced to be almost as deadly as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). In addition to the transmission of the disease from the migration of wild birds traveling great distances, the disease is also spread when contaminated birds are exported and imported in the international market.

In terms of safety in food handling and preparation, a cooking temperature of about 70 degrees Celsius is enough to kill the Swine Flu virus. It is important, however, to avoid raw birds and other raw markets meats from being contaminated. Cook eggs properly and check that the yolks are not runny. The simple act of washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw meats could spell the difference. Keep in mind that transmission of the Swine Flu virus to humans usually happens during the slaughtering process and handling of infected Swine Fluids. After slaughtering infected poultry, the virus typically stays in the intestinal and respiratory tracts, not in the meat itself. Cooking at right temperatures can help avoid the virus from spreading.

The symptoms of Swine Flu are very similar to human flu. However, the severity of a disease can sometimes give way to announcements of a pandemic, which can cause political issues. In Asia where the incidence and actual cases of human transmission of Swine Flu occurred, WHO and the United States immediately took precautionary measures. The British Medical Journal, on the other hand, declared that a pandemic is still far from happening.

No travel advisory has been issued restricting anyone from going to countries affected by Swine Flu although WHO has issued a warning to travelers. Travelers are advised against going to live poultry markets, getting close contact to any farms and having direct exposure to feathers, feces or droppings, eggs and poultry meat products. Travelers coming from afflicted countries are also not being screened. However, precautionary measures are in place, particularly in the media. Information is being disseminated in order to make people aware of the Swine Flu, its effects and what to do to avoid getting infected.

Viruses are constantly mutating and evolving. Health watchers, practitioners and scientists are concerned about this because if a pandemic occurs, there won’t be enough time to prepare and develop a vaccine. They fear that we are once again on the brink of another major pandemic threat. However, with the strides being made by technology every day, hopefully the casualty won’t be nearly as high as the casualty of the past three major pandemics that claimed at least 20 million lives worldwide.