The recent news about H1N1, describe this new influenza strain as pandemic. However, there is no need to panic; this virus is no more dangerous than other influenza viruses. There are though some facts that qualify this virus as a pandemic one. Knowing these facts help you prevent H1N1.
Why is H1N1 so dangerous?
It is very contagious.
It is a new virus strain that humans didn’t developed immunity to.
It spreads through human fluids like saliva, tears etc… This combined with the common symptoms of any flu like sneezing, coughing, runny nose, increase the risks of spreading.
Historically most affected by flu were elderly people. With swine flu they are not anymore the primary target. Unlike other types of flu young and healthy people are the most affected ones.
The symptoms of Swine Flu include high fever which can be as high as around 40C for kids.
It kills healthy children.
What is not so bad about it?
Statistically, Swine flu doesn’t kill as much as other types of flu do. In the past years influenza, (flu), has killed between 250,000 and 500,000 yearly. In comparison the 5000 victims of the swine flu, counted from the beginning of the outbreak, is a very small number.
The illness from H1N1 are reported to range from mild to severe depending on the patient’s medical condition, age, etc… Some people might get infected and have almost no symptoms.
Why are people so scared then?
There are a few reasons here:
It is very infectious and it spreads extremely fast,
Sometimes the symptoms are enough bad to make anybody worry,
It seems that it can mutate fairly easy. There has already been reported the discovery of strains of H1N1 that are immune to Tamiflu.
Being a new virus we didn’t achieved the immunity for it. This increases its capacity to spread.
Media sometimes tends to exaggerate the news.
How can we prevent it?
Wash hands often with soap and warm water.
Avoid touching your and others’ face if you didn’t wash your hands.
Eat healthy food and stay active to keep your immune system strong.
Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your arm. Avoid sneezing into your hands as this will spread the virus. Wash hands.
If you get sick, stay at home.
Get immunized.
Go outside everyday, as this help killing the viruses.
Avoid supra-populated places, this are the most susceptible places to get a virus.
Clean your nostrils and throat with salt water – salt is a natural antibacterial.
Sleep well as sleeping is a key factor for fighting against flu. Having a day off at work at the first sign of flu will dramatically decrease the recovery period and the illness severity.
There are studies that suggest that metals like Copper and Zinc might have antiviral properties. Make sure you eat aliments which contain these two elements.
Although the latest studies show that vitamin C has no direct effect on either prevention of flu or recovery after it, the lack of vitamin C in your diet could lead to higher vulnerability to flu.
Take Antivirus medication such as Tamiflu and Relenza they are proven to reduce the illness to up to 30 percent.
Take a massage appointment regularly. Massage increases your immunity, lowers the stress and helps prevent the infection. Check the article Massage can help fight the flu
Flu
This is a very useful article. Someone from my family had the swine flu and the I got it too. Sleep was very important. Also, I went outside when I had a temperature of 40 degrees, (in my backyard because I don’t want to spread the virus)and it helped a lot.
Also, for the people who have the swine flu, even if you feel like you’re going to throw up what you’ll eat, you should eat something.
By Giana,