Wednesday, May 20, 2009

H1N1 Virus

H1N1 Virus


Everyone is talking about it and those who are traveling have to exercise extra caution to prevent it at all cost. It is also known as the swine flu as it is a respiratory disease of pigs, caused by influenza type A virus and it has common outbreaks in pigs. The first outbreak was recorded in 1930s. Over the years, 4 main influenza types have been discovered and they are H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1.

What are the early signs of A (H1N1) virus?

1) Flu- like symptoms, like running nose
2) Fever
3) Cough
4) Sore throat
5) Headache
6) Muscle and joint pain
7) Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea

As can be seen, they have very common and similar symptoms to flu. Hence it is better not to take things lightly and delay appointments to the doctors if you are sick during this period. Anti viral drugs called oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu ®) and zanamivir (Relenza ®) are prescribed to those who are identified of contracting it at the moment.

How do we minimize our chances of contracting it that if we really need to travel and meet people? People can be infected by merely breathing in contaminated air. There are plans to develop a vaccine but it would probably take 5- 6 months for that. Meanwhile, a lot f times, it boils down to maintaining high standards of personal hygiene. Below are my recommendations:

1) Wear a mask so contact are minimized
2) Wash your hands with soap after landing and after coming home
3) Best to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer
4) Try not to touch hand rails, press buttons or public objects unless necessary
5) Try not to rub eyes or nose with unclean hands or fingers


The scientist and health authority of this era have a lot of new strands of viruses to combat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 19 May, GMT 6:00, 40 countries have officially reported 9,830 cases of A (H1N1) infection, including 79 deaths. America, being the number 1 infected country with 5,123 (5 deaths), followed by Mexico of 3,648 (72 dead) and Canada being the third, with 496 cases (1 death). Japan, is the most effected Asian country with 159 cases.
For more details, check out the link below:

World Health Organization-
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_19/en/index.html

Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention-
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/key_facts.htm

Warning signs of children contracting the virus-
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

You tube, CDC, more information on swine flu-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85sD83aRUIQ&feature=channel

Ministry of Health (Singapore)-
http://www.moh.gov.sg/mohcorp/pressreleases.aspx?id=21780

Last of all, everyone has to strive to be socially responsible to our fellow human beings.
When we sneeze, cover our nose and mouth with a tissue. Minimize going out if we are ill and maintain high level of personal hygiene everyday. Only if we care enough and make personal efforts, can the virus be stopped and not spread worldwide to become an epidemic.

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