Sunday, November 8, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
H1N1 Swine Flu: - November 5, 2009 Post
The United States Government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that "you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze."
“10 Warning Signs to Call the Doctor”
following via: Care2 “Flu Alert: 10 Warning Signs to Call the Doctor”
by Melanie Haiken, Caring.com
“I know we’re all anxious about swine flu this season, but the truth is that for most people, the flu–no matter what type of flu it is–doesn’t pose a serious danger. Colds and flu normally cause what doctors like to refer to as “self-limited” illness–this means you feel sick but eventually get better on your own. Typically there’s really no point in calling the doctor, because antibiotics don’t work on flu since it’s caused by a virus. Anti-viral medications, such as Tamiflu, aren’t usually necessary to recover.
In some cases, though, the flu develops into something more dangerous, such as pneumonia or other complications.
10 warning signs that it’s time to call the doctor:
1. High fever: 38.3°+ C (> over 101° degrees Fahrenheit) for more than a day.*
2. Fast, shallow breathing or rapid pulse.
3. Difficulty breathing: feeling like you can’t draw in a breath or get enough air.
4. Chest pain: sharp or stabbing pains or aches when you breathe in; gets worse with coughing.
5. Repeated vomiting and diarrhea.
6. Decreased urination (or decreased tears, in an infant)–this is a sign of dehydration.
7. Dizziness when you stand up–also a sign of dehydration.
8. Blue or purple discoloration around the mouth.
9. Mental confusion or disorientation (that wasn’t present before you got sick).
10. Convulsions or seizures.
If you have any of these symptoms, don’t wait to call, because once pneumonia or other serious infection sets in, things can move quickly.
People at higher risk for severe illness include pregnant women, young children, and adults with chronic illnesses or weak immune systems.
Those of us caring for older adults feel particularly worried, because seniors are generally at high risk for getting very sick from seasonal influenza. The H1N1 strain is a little different in this respect; adults over 60 seem to be somewhat protected from it. Still, when older adults get sick, we need to watch them carefully to make sure it’s not developing into something more serious.
If you have any doubt whether you need medical care, call your doctor’s office and ask to talk to the nurse for more information. The nurse will quiz you about the symptoms you’re experiencing or seeing and advise you on what to do next.”
Notes:
*In the United States the standard for measuring temperature is the Farenheit Scale, expressed as degrees Farenheit (F°). In this scale water freezes at 32°F and boils at 212°F. (Mr. Farenheit had established 0ºF as the stabilized temperature when equal amounts of ice, water, and salt are mixed. He then defined 96ºF as the temperature 'when the thermometer is held in the mouth or under the armpit of a living man in good health'. )
Most all of the world uses the International System of Units (SI) for measuring everything, including temperature. Temperature is expressed as degrees Celsius (C°). The standard for measuring temperature is the Celsius Scale, where 0°C is the exact point where common water freezes and 100°C is the exact point at which it boils.
Elsewhere the standard for measuring temperature is the Celsius Scale. Celsius is also the standard to express scientific measurement in the United States.
Obviously it's nice to have a handy (online) calculator: DigitalDutch.com – this later calculator not only allows Celsius <--> Farenheit conversions but additionally Kelvin, Rankine and Réaumure.
Labels: H1N1 Swine Flu, Health, Pandemic,
H1N1 Swine Flu – update – Updated to November 5, 2009
Links to this, and 8 prior journal entries
This journal entry was repeated in:
(Click on): Google Flu Trends now reports the situation as 'high' to 'intense' in parts of Canada – 'National', 'British Columbia' and some other areas of North America.
References and External Hyper Links:
International Society for Infectious Diseases PROMED-mail news updates
BioHealthBase Bioinformatics Resource Center - Database of influenza genomic sequences and related information.
Europe
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
Influenza A(H1N1) at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)
Official UK government information on swine flu from Directgov
Official swine flu advice and latest information from the UK National Health Service
Human/Swine A/H1N1 Influenza Origins and Evolution - Analysis of genetic data for the origin and evolution of swine flu virus.
Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) Swine Influenza portal
H1N1 Influenza (Flu) portal at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Swine Flu Outbreak, Influenza Virus Resource - Sequences and related resources (GenBank, NCBI)
“H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation, from the US's Flu.gov / Evaluation (will require that you read and agree with the terms) web site.
“This is provided for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for evaluation and treatment by a health care professional. This self-assessment information does not capture identifiable information in any matter
“Additional Information”
“Warning signs that you may be getting worse:
Most people with the flu (including H1N1 flu) will get better over a few days. However, some people may get sicker and should see their doctor if they get worse. Some warning signs that should make people consider calling their doctor or going to a walk-in clinic or emergency room are:
Hard time breathing or short of breath.
Pain or pressure in the chest or stomach.
Feeling dizzy all of a sudden.
Being confused.
Not being able to stop throwing-up.
Flu-like symptoms that were getting better – but then came back with a fever and worse cough.
Are you pregnant?
There are certain things pregnant women with the flu should do right away for their health and the health of their baby. They should:
Call their doctor right away.
Tell the doctor they are pregnant and are worried they might have the flu.
Ask the doctor if they need medicine for the flu.
If they can't get in touch with their doctor, they should go to a walk-in clinic or the emergency room right away.
Flu.gov is your central resource for US Government information on seasonal, H1N1, avian and pandemic flu. Check out some of these Flu.gov resources:
Don't see the information you need? Visit Flu.gov to ask a flu expert a question or sign up to receive updated information about flu.”
Current and previous links to the Sometimes On The Edge© web site (see Index: H1N1 Swine Flu)
Other references:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: 2009 flu pandemic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Influenza
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Influenza A virus subtype H1N1
What To Do Ahead of Time:
Even before the cold and flu season talk to your doctor and pharmacist. Consider stocking up on some generic or patented©TM, 'over the counter' medications. Many contain sugars. But I use the sugar free versions, especially formulated for diabetics.
CAUTION: Most doctor and pharmacist advises that these are all adult doses, for people over 18 years.
WARNING: Follow direction and limits very carefully and note that some of the following medications have the same ingredients; therefore you should never exceed the recommended dosages with first consulting your doctor and/or pharmacist.
Acetaminophen – if you are experience fever, body, head, joint and muscle aches – usually 250 – 500 mg (might be marketed under brand names Aceta, Actimin, Anacin-3, Apacet, Aspirin Free Anacin, Atasol, Banesin, Ben-uron, Crocin, Dapa, Dolo, Datril Extra-Strength, DayQuil, Depon & Depon Maximum, Feverall, Few Drops, Fibi, Fibi plus, Genapap, Genebs, Lekadol, LemSip, Liquiprin, Lupocet, Neopap, Ny-Quil, Oraphen-PD, Panado, Panadol, Paralen, Phenaphen, Plicet, Redutemp, Snaplets-FR, Suppap, Tamen, Tapanol, Tempra, Tylenol, Valorin, Xcel.) (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Acetaminophen (Paracetamol))
Anti-Nauseant – if you begin 'throwing up' - usually 50 mg tablets of Dimenhydrinate (might be marketed under brand names Dramamine, Driminate, Gravol, Gravamin, Vomex, and Vertirosan ) (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Dimenhydrinate)
Cold and Flu (Influenza) medications - often combine medications marketed generically and under many, many brand names often containing Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Ibuprofen, Pseudoephedrine Hydrocholoride
An analgesic (sometimes called a painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain.
An Antihistamine which can be used to describe any histamine antagonist, but it is usually reserved for the classical antihistamines that act upon the H1 histamine receptor.
A cough medicine is a medicinal drug used to treat coughing and related conditions. Dry coughs are treated with cough suppressants (antitussives) that suppress the body's urge to cough, while productive coughs (coughs that produce phlegm) are treated with expectorants such as DM – Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, that loosen mucus from the respiratory tract.
A decongestant which acts via enhancing nor epinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) or adrenergic activity by stimulating the α-adrenergic receptors.
A sore throat might require sucking on a throat lozenge or a piece of ice, or gargle with warm salt water (made by dissolving 1/4 teaspoon salt in one cup of warm water). Eating only soft foods, drinking cool or warm liquids, or sucking on popsicles may bring relief, too. While antibiotics kill the germs, you can take a few steps to feel better. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) originally marketed as Brufen, and since then under various other trademarks, most notably Nurofen, Advil and Motrin. ), or acetaminophen can help ease throat pain.
Diarrhoea Relief – if you experience diarrhoea - usually 2 mg tablets of Loperamide Hydrocholoride (is available generically and under brand names such as Lopex, Imodium, Dimor and Pepto Diarrhea Control.) (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Loperamide)
Laxative, since some influenza medications have a tendency to cause constipation. Many foods and medicines can act as laxatives. See, (Laxative - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Laaxatives (or purgatives) are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements or to loosen the stool, most often taken to treat constipation.)
Vitamin C – “Proponents of mega dosage propose from 200 to upwards of 2000 mg/day. A recent meta-analysis of 68 reliable antioxidant supplementation experiments, involving a total of 232,606 individuals, concluded that consuming additional ascorbic from supplements may not be as beneficial as thought.” (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Vitamin C)
Other things that you can take or use to increase your immune systems response:
Multivitamin & dietary minerals, use daily
Others include a healthy and nutritious diet and exercise
Some people believe in the value of other 'health foods' and supplements
Labels: H1N1 Swine Flu, Health, Pandemic,
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