Influenza - Swine Flu, AH1N1; Virus, Symptoms, Vaccine, Vaccination

Swine Flu (AH1N1 Virus) (I)

2011-12-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

What is swine influenza?

Swine influenza (swine flu) is caused by type A influenza virus and gives pigs the flu. Swine flu viruses cause regular outbreaks of flu in pigs but death is infrequent. The viruses may circulate among pigs throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there?

Like all flu viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian, human and swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort and new ones emerge that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. Right now, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

Can humans catch swine flu?

Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs, such as children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry.

There have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. In 1988, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin resulted in multiple human infections, and although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?

In the past, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of about one human swine flu virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine flu have been reported. Five of the 12 cases occurred in patients who had direct exposure to pigs, six in patients reported being near pigs, and the exposure in one case was unknown.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
(to be continued)

Majority of parents worry about safety of H1N1 vaccine

2010-02-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

Ask any health professional who cares for children and they will tell you: When H1N1 flu hits, it can be very severe. In the last four months of 2009, nearly 240 children died in the United States from H1N1 flu—more than three times as many child deaths as in a typical non-H1N1 flu season.

Meanwhile, the H1N1 vaccine given to more than 60 million individuals since October, has had a track record of safety in children comparable to the widely used and similarly manufactured seasonal flu vaccine.

But many parents' views of H1N1 illness and vaccine safety may not match these national data. Results from the latest C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health indicate that, while 55 percent of parents worry about the H1N1 illness for their children, 66 percent of parents worry about the safety of the H1N1 vaccine.

"Parents' worries about H1N1 vaccination are natural for any new vaccine," says Matthew Davis, M.D., director of the poll and associate professor of pediatrics and internal medicine in the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the U-M Medical School. "But in this case, what I have emphasized to my patients is that we are facing a type of flu that is much worse than usual for kids who get sick. The vaccine is made so similarly to seasonal flu vaccine that it's not really unknown to us. The track record in the first 60 million people looks reassuring to me. So, in weighing the benefits and risks, it seems clear to me for kids that the benefits of H1N1 vaccination outweigh the risks."

The poll found that 28 percent of parents worry more about H1N1 vaccine safety than about H1N1 illness. Among these parents, only 10 percent have had their children vaccinated against H1N1.

Meanwhile, 16 percent of parents worry about H1N1 illness more than the vaccine, and 58 percent of these parents have had their children vaccinated against H1N1. Among the remaining parents (56 percent) whose worries about vaccine safety and H1N1 illness were equal, 30 percent had their children vaccinated.

"Our study indicates that parental worries about H1N1 vaccine safety have limited national efforts to vaccinate kids against H1N1 disease," says Davis. "Of course, we expect parents to act on behalf of their kids in ways that fit what they believe. The question is, have medical and public health professionals communicated clearly enough about the benefits and risks of vaccination, and about the risks of H1N1 illness for children? We owe it to our patients and families to make sure that the best data are available, and that we've answered questions in our communities about what to do for kids."

Swine flu could have been a disaster

2010-01-30T18:22:00.000-08:00

Swine flu is no longer sickening very many people but that does not mean it is no longer newsworthy. On the contrary, in recent weeks a succession of critics have rounded on "happy-go-lucky" virologists, "headline-hungry" journalists and the World Health Organisation, accusing them of being variously dupes of the pharmaceutical industry or willing accomplices to pointless hysteria. Their crime? Hyping the pandemic that never was and thereby helping Big Pharma to a billion-dollar vaccine bonanza.

Leading the told-you-so's is Dr Wolfgang Wodarg, the former head of the Council of Europe's health committee, who this week tabled a motion in Strasbourg accusing the WHO of having "faked" the pandemic. Another is the Guardian's Simon Jenkins. In characteristically acerbic prose he rails against government scientists for peddling "drivel" about the tens of thousands of Britons who might have died this winter. That they didn't and that you and I are still alive shows that H1N1 is not the "Andromeda strain" long- predicted by scientists. "It was pure, systematic, government-induced panic," he writes. "Swine flu was a textbook case of a scare," concurs Christopher Booker in the Daily Telegraph.

Jenkins is a sharp and entertaining writer and when he accuses the media of playing "its joyful part" in propagating panic I have to admit the dart hits home: as a medical historian and expert on the 1918 "Spanish" influenza pandemic I was continually asked to comment on the parallels with swine flu last summer and no doubt added to the hype. But as all good schoolboys know, post hoc doesn't make propter hoc. Just because 65,000 Britons didn't die this winter does not mean that the computer models were wrong or that the Department of Health shouldn't have ordered 50m doses of Tamiflu, only that prognostications about pandemics, like prognostications about earthquakes, are not an exact science.

Writing in this paper last week, Tom Sheldon eloquently makes the point that predicting pandemics is a species of risk analysis and thus, by definition, subject to error. With better virological and epidemiological data perhaps the government wouldn't have stockpiled so much Tamiflu or ordered 90m doses of vaccine. But if it hadn't and armageddon had occurred, Jenkins would have been the first to call for the guillotining of the Chief Medical Officer.

I do not wish to labour the point but it seems to me that the backlash against swine flu is a species of conspiracy-thinking, one that wilfully misconstrues the role of science in the regulation of technologies of health which have brought so many benefits to society. In the same way that 9/11 denialists point to the collapse of World Trade Centre 7 to support their wacko theories about "controlled demolitions", swine flu denialists point to Donald Rumsfeld's position on the board of Gilead, the company that developed Tamiflu, to argue that the "panic" was got up by similar shadowy neo-conservative corporate interests. It is then a short step to seeing all such panics as conspiracies. Thus, according to the Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, the vaccine is really a tool for culling inner-city black populations because of military leaders' concerns about pressures on the global food supply.

Similar conspiracy-thinking infects health advice websites that advise mothers not to give their children the swine flu jab because of the risk of rare side-effects, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. In fact, according to the Institute of Medicine, the chances of contracting GBS from influenza vaccination is one or two per million. By comparison, a recent French study found that the risk of contracting GBS from naturally occurring influenza is four to seven out of every 100,000 cases. But that hasn't stopped NHS staff, who should know better, from shunning the swine flu vaccine. Nor, I am sorry to say, are such peer-reviewed studies likely to persuade the sort of people who continue to refuse to give their children the MMR vaccine because they once read somewhere that it might be linked to autism.

WHO addresses handling of H1N1 at Council of Europe meeting

2010-01-27T23:14:00.000-08:00

WHO addresses handling of H1N1 at Council of Europe meeting

During a Council of Europe meeting on Tuesday to address the WHO's handling of the H1N1 virus, the WHO said it had not "fallen under the sway of drugs firms and exaggerated the dangers of the H1N1 flu virus, but said it might have handled the crisis better," Reuters reports. "Critics say the WHO relied too much on advice from advisers in the pay of the pharmaceutical industry, triggering an internal review by the WHO and an inquiry by the Council of Europe, a pan European human rights watchdog," writes the news service (Reilhac, 1/26).

At the council meeting, Keiji Fukuda, special adviser on pandemic influenza to the director-general of WHO, defended the agency's response to H1N1, pointing out that "the WHO consulted with a range of experts, including those in the private sector, but that there were safeguards in place to prevent conflicts of interest," Deutsche Welle writes.

"These individuals are known to us and their participation in various WHO committees was looked at and we have not found anything inappropriate about what they did," Fukuda said. "The experts out there - the ones who really understand and who have knowledge - they may work with many different groups, including with industry. That link may mean that they provide advice which is inappropriate. It may not mean that they provide advice which is inappropriate" (Foulkes, 1/27).

"We are under no illusions that this response was the perfect response," Fukuda said during the hearing, the BBC reports. "But we do not wait until (these global virus outbreaks) have developed and we see that lots of people are dying. What we try and do is take preventive actions. If we are successful no-one will die, no-one will notice anything" (1/26).

CIDRAP reports on some of the criticisms voiced by health officials during the Council of Europe meeting and Fukuda's assurance that the organization would work to improve transparency during the pandemic response in the future (Schnirring, 1/26).

Tamiflu - An Effective Treatment for A H1N1 ( swine flu)

2010-01-18T21:39:00.000-08:00

by Celsey

What is swine flu? Swine flu or swine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza A virus. Though swine flu normally only infects pigs but the 2009 outbreak involves a new H1N1 type A influenza strain. It contains genes from pig, bird and human flu viruses. The swine flu virus originated in Mexico in March 2009 and within a few months it has affected thousands of people in several countries across the world. Because of it being spread worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the 2009 outbreak of the new H1N1 flu to be a global pandemic. Swine flu strains can spread fast because no one has natural immunity and so it is easy to catch and transmit the disease.

Swine flu symptoms The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those reported in common flu. The severity of the symptoms depends on an individual's resistance levels and on the treatment being provided. Some of the commonly reported symptoms of swine flu include -

* Fever above 38?C (100.4?F) * Cough * Sore throat * Body aches * Chills * Headache

Symptoms of swine flu develop within 3 to 5 days after the victim is exposed to the virus. The symptoms continue for about 8 days, starting 1 day before the patient gets sick and continues until the patient has recovered. While some patients suffer mildly and recover within a week, in some patients the symptoms of swine flu may worsen, causing pneumonia and other chronic medical conditions. Thousands of people have died because of the aggravation of swine flu symptoms. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience headaches, fever or cold and if you develop symptoms after coming in contact with a person who has been exposed to the swine flu virus.

Swine flu prevention

* Maintain hygiene * Wash your hands frequently using soap or alcohol-based gel * Cover you face while sneezing or coughing * Stay away from crowds if possible. * Stay home if you fall sick to avoid infecting others * People who have or are suspected of having swine flu should wear a face mask

Swine flu treatment with Tamiflu Tamiflu oseltamivir is an oral antiviral drug belonging to the class of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. The drug is found to be effective against both Influenza A and Influenza B virus. The US FDA has also approved Tamiflu for the prevention and treatment of the swine flu virus.

The best way to get Tamiflu is to buy Tamiflu in online pharmacy RxHealthDrugs.com http://www.rxhealthdrugs.com/ For more information about Tamiflu or to buy Tamiflu http://www.rxhealthdrugs.com/brand/256/305/tamiflu-oseltamivir-phosphate

About the Author
Celsey

Natural Influenza Treatment

2009-10-29T04:11:00.001-07:00

by Lorna Harvey

In the 1918 flu epidemic almost twenty million people died. Doctors using drugs to battle the epidemic saw around 33% of their patients die from the flu, whereas natural hospitals such as one run by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg were having a 100% recovery rate. Dr. Kellogg shared his influenza protocols in an article in 1918. The following information is taken from that article.

First, the patients were doing water enemas twice a day to clean their bowels. They'd use two or three pints of warm water and would cleanse their colon thoroughly, until all of the filth was removed. The enemas started at the beginning of the disease and continued until complete recovery.

Second, the patients were drinking three or four quarts of water or fruit juice each day to promote elimination through the kidneys and skin. A glass was taken each half hour, when awake. Fiber, such as bran, was mixed into foods including oatmeal and rice to promote bowel movements and the elimination of the problem.

Short hot baths and hot blanket packs were used to ease fevers and help with pain in the back and legs. A hot blanket pack entailed wrapping a person in a "hot as they could stand," wrung-out wet blanket for twelve to fifteen minutes. A wool blanket covered the outside of the wet blanket, and heads and faces were kept cool. If the pulse was rapid, an ice pack was held over the heart. For very high fevers, the hot blanket packs were used only for four or five minutes.

Cold compresses were used for headaches. For high fevers, a cold compress was used immediately after a short hot blanket pack to bring down the fever.

In 1918 there wasn't the sugary, chemical laden or processed foods that are available today. It is be a good idea to avoid these types of foods but more important during a time of sickness to allow the body to heal. Patients were also kept in bed for several days after the fever was gone.

About the Author
Are you looking for interesting health and wellness information? Visit Small Steps to Wellness for lots of great posts on health and wellness.

American Lung Association urges families to get immunized against seasonal influenza

2009-09-16T06:18:00.000-07:00

The American Lung Association is intensifying its seasonal influenza public education initiative to urge families to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The Faces of Influenza campaign aims to ensure Americans get immunized against seasonal influenza, which each year causes an estimated 36,000 deaths and over 226,000 hospitalizations from the virus and its related complications.

The Faces of Influenza campaign, which includes expanded awareness initiatives nationally and in many major cities, supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) call for Americans to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza this and every year.

Seasonal influenza is an annual threat, and more than 80 percent of the U.S. population is recommended to receive the vaccine. In an average year, up to one in five Americans may be infected with the virus, which can cause missed days at school or the office, hospitalizations -- and even death.

"Seasonal influenza remains a serious concern, even with the presence of the 2009 H1N1 virus," said Norman Edelman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association. "Vaccination against seasonal influenza is the best protection against this annual disease. Speak with your doctor about getting you and your family vaccinated to help prevent the spread of the virus."

The CDC recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for more than 250 million Americans. It is especially important for those in high-risk groups and their close contacts to get immunized against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccine is available to avoid serious complications from infection. Immunization throughout the full season is beneficial, as seasonal influenza virus activity typically peaks in February or March.

The American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza educational initiative has expanded this year to include regional activities in 13 communities: Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Indianapolis and Miami. Other cities involved are Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Mo.; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, Calif.; and Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Faces of Influenza educational initiative also features a comprehensive speakers' campaign that involves dozens of spokespersons across the country, sharing their personal stories about the dangers seasonal influenza placed on their families.

Kristi Yamaguchi, mother, Olympic Gold Medalist and winner of "Dancing with the Stars," serves as the national spokesperson for the Faces of Influenza program. As a mother of two young girls, Kristi's first priority is the health of her family. She makes sure everyone in her family is immunized annually against influenza.

"Through the Faces of Influenza program, I've worked with families who have lost loved ones to the disease and its complications. Their tragic experiences are a reminder that seasonal influenza is serious," Kristi said.

"I take my daughters to get vaccinated every year because it's the best protection against influenza," Kristi said. "I also ask everyone in contact with them to make sure they are vaccinated as well, to help create a cocoon of protection."

With more than four out of five Americans recommended for annual vaccination, chances are we all know someone who should get vaccinated against seasonal influenza this and every year. The American Lung Association encourages everyone to visit www.facesofinfluenza.org to learn more about influenza, and the groups recommended for annual vaccination against this seasonal disease.

Influenza patients treated with Tamiflu has higher survival rates

2009-09-15T06:16:00.000-07:00

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that two new observational studies concluded that influenza patients treated with Tamiflu(R) (oseltamivir phosphate) had significantly higher survival rates than untreated patients. The studies, examining nearly 1,000 people, analyzed outcomes for two different groups -adults and children diagnosed with the highly pathogenic A (H5N1) avian influenza and adults hospitalized with seasonal influenza. Results, which build on similar findings, were presented today at the 49th ICAAC annual meeting in San Francisco.

"These retrospective studies support the potential benefits of antiviral treatment in severe cases of influenza," said Dominick Iacuzio, Ph.D., medical director at Roche, which manufactures Tamiflu. "While Tamiflu is approved and used in many countries to treat and prevent all types of A and B influenza, these 'real-world' studies contribute to the body of clinical evidence."

Study Summaries

First Results from an Avian Influenza Case Registry (Presentation V-533) -- Sunday, September 13, 2009, 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. PT, Marriott Salon 9.

The study examined outcomes data for 215 patients from 10 countries who were diagnosed with the virulent A (H5N1) avian influenza. The retrospective observational study found that untreated patients had a mortality rate of 88%, with 11 out of 89 (12%) untreated patients surviving, in contrast to survival of 45 out of 85 (53%) patients who received at least one dose of Tamiflu up to 8 days after symptom onset. Among a subset of patients who received Tamiflu within 2 days of symptom onset, 5 out of 7 patients (71%) survived.

The study was conducted by researchers from Avex Avian Influenza Expert Group and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, in collaboration with Roche. It is the first to systematically assess human A (H5N1) infection in multinational cases. Data were collected in-country and supplemented with data abstracted from published cases. Data were anonymized and reviewed for accuracy. Nearly all cases were confirmed at laboratories accredited by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"These data confirm the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment with Tamiflu. They also support previous studies indicating that treatment may still beneficial even after 48 hours," explained Dr. Iacuzio.

The A (H5N1) avian influenza virus continues to spread throughout parts of Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Since 2003, the WHO has reported 440 human cases of A (H5N1), 262 of them fatal. Most recently, two new human cases were reported in Egypt on August 31, 2009 (www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/)

Outcomes of Adults Hospitalized with Influenza, 2007 - 2008 (Poster 577) - Sunday, September 13, 2009, 11:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. PT, Hall B.

The study analyzed 760 patients hospitalized with severe seasonal influenza, half of whom received Tamiflu>

The retrospective, observational study was conducted in two general hospitals in Hong Kong during a 24-month period, studying patients over the age of 18 who were hospitalized with confirmed influenza. Most patients were older (average age 70), 60% had underlying chronic illness, and 78% were hospitalized with influenza complications.

Information about Influenza treatment

2009-09-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

by onlineclinic.co.uk

Influenza virus got first acknowledged in 1933. There are two main types of influenza: influenza A and influenza B. Influenza A usually causes a more severe illness than influenza B. So what is influenza exactly? Influenza or 'flu' (as we know it commonly) is a respiratory illness associated with infection by influenza virus. Some of the symptoms of influenza are headache, fever, cough, cold, sore throat, aching muscles and joints.

Though, these symptoms are mild, there may arise serious complications like bronchitis and secondary bacterial pneumonia. However you don't need to worry if you are attacked by the influenza virus, treatment for this nasty illness is now available.

On 9 February 2006 the UK Department of Health issued a letter to all general practitioners in England to inform them that the use of Tamiflu for the treatment or prophylaxis of influenza can be now prescribed. You can now buy Tamiflu and fight against influenza virus. The active ingredient in Tamiflu is oseltamivir and it belongs to a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors.

Tamiflu works by stopping the growth and spread of the influenza virus in your body. If you buy Tamiflu, it also helps shorten the time you have flu symptoms like nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, aches and muscle pain, headache, fever and chills. If you buy Tamiflu it helps reduce these symptoms and also shorten the span of your illness. Buy Tamiflu Tamiflu is the first and the most effective oral neuraminidase inhibitor developed. If you buy Tamiflu online, make sure you buy genuine and branded Tamiflu manufactured by Roche.

There are also many generic versions available in the market. However, the safety and efficacy of this generic drug containing oseltamivir cannot be guaranteed. The chances of getting Tamiflu side effects and health complications may also increase. Before you buy Tamiflu, you should weigh its benefits and side effects and only then you should take your decision. Tamiflu Side Effects If you buy Tamiflu, you might also experience some of the following Tamiflu side effects:

Nausea (without vomiting)
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Bronchitis
Abdominal pain
Dizziness
Headache
Cough
Insomnia
Vertigo
Fatigue

Most people who buy Tamiflu don't experience any Tamiflu side effects. However, there are some people who experience severe Tamiflu side effects. Buy Tamiflu online If you want to buy Tamiflu online , you need a prescription as it is a prescription only drug. You can get a prescription from your local GP or from an online doctor. To obtain a prescription online, all you need to do is fill in a consultation form. Tamiflu can be used as a precaution as well as treatment. So buy Tamiflu if you feel you are susceptible to influenza virus attack!

About the Author
Webmaster associated with online pharmacy "OnlineClinic.co.uk" this site provides various information on Tamiflu and helps people in curing Influenza, resources are available on site OnlineClinic.co.uk .

Reduce Fever and Fight the Cold and Flu With Boneset

2009-07-29T03:44:00.000-07:00

by by Darrell Miller

Boneset was used by Native Americans for a valuable remedy against colds, flu, and fevers. Other common names that boneset is identified by include: thoroughwort, vegetable antimony, feverwort, agueweed, Indian sage, sweating plant, eupatorium, crossword, thoroughstem, thoroughwax, and wild Isaac. In most cases, boneset has been used primarily to treat fevers. They introduced boneset to the settlers in the New World. From 1820 through 1916, boneset was listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia. This herb was also listed in the National Formulary from 1926 through 1950. Boneset has been used to restore strength in the stomach and spleen. It has also been used as a tonic for acute and chronic fevers. Dr. Edward E. Shook actually felt that boneset was beneficial for every kind of fever humans are subjected to. He also believed that it had never failed in overcoming influenza.

Recent research has found that boneset contains antiseptic properties that help to promote sweating. These properties also help in cases of colds and flu. Boneset has also been shown to contain antiviral properties and strengthen the immune system by enhancing the secretion of interferon. Additional studies have found that boneset is effective against minor viral and bacterial infections by stimulating white blood cells. Additionally, this herb has been used to treat indigestion and pain and may also contain some mild anti-inflammatory agents to help with conditions like arthritis.

Boneset is a perennial herb that has an erect stout and a hairy stem. It grows from two to four feet high, with branches at the top. The leaves of the boneset plant are large, opposite, united at the base, and lance-shaped. They grow anywhere between four to eight inches in length and taper into a sharp point. The edges of these leaves are finely toothed, with prominent veins. These leaves help to distinguish this plant species at first glance. The flower heads of the boneset plant are terminal and numerous, being large, and having anywhere from ten to twenty white florets. The plant possesses an aromatic odor, with an astringent and strongly bitter taste. This plant species varies considerably in size, hairiness, form of leaves, and inflorescence. It can typically be found flowering from July to September.

The entire herb is used to provide alterative, anti-inflamamtory, antiperiodic, antiviral, diaphoretic, emetic, febrifuge, purgative, nervine, and stimulant properties. The primary nutrients found in boneset include calcium, magnesium, PABA, potassium, and vitamins C and B-complex. Primarily, boneset has been shown to be extremely helpful in dealing with chills, colds, coughs, fever, flu, malaria, pain, rheumatism, typhoid fever, and yellow fever. Additionally, this herb is beneficial in treating bronchitis, catarrh, jaundice, liver disorders, measles, mumps, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, scarlet fever, sore throat, and worms. For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by boneset, please contact a representative from your local health food store.

Although there is no recent clinical evidence that guides the dosage of boneset, traditional use of the herb suggests that a dose be about two grams of leaves and flowers. The internal use of this herb should be tempered by the occurrence of hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids in this plant. For those women who are pregnant or lactating, this herb should not be used, as there have been documented adverse effects on those women who are pregnant and/or lactating.

Boneset is available in capsule, tablet, and liquid extract forms at your local or internet health food store. Look for name brands to ensure quality and purity of the product you purchase.

About the Author
More information on boneset is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

Flu Shot Facts - Battling Influenza

2009-06-02T01:32:00.000-07:00

by Charlie Cory

Before we discuss the facts surrounding flu shots, perhaps we ought to be clear what flu (influenza) actually is? The flu is an infection of the air waves. Typical symptoms range from fever, sore throat, aching muscles and a cough. Any combination of these symptoms can last for a week or more. Whilst the flu is a manageable disease for most people in society, some people are particularly vulnerable. Those particularly at risk are the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Diabetes sufferers, those with kidney problems and heart disease sufferers are also high on the risk list. Many people die from flu each year; mostly from within the high risk groups.

So, what is the flu vaccine? The flu vaccine is usually prepared from chick embryos, which have been inoculated with a flu virus. Formaldehyde is used to deactivate the flu virus, which is then preserved with a mercury derivative called thimerosal.

In the States, the health authorities try and guess which three flu strains are most likely to cause problems in the coming year (it doesn't sound very scientific, does it!). Those flu strains deemed to be likely to cause problems are those that are included in the flu vaccine. If the guess is good, the vaccine is thought to be between 70% and 80% effective in preventing the flu in healthy people outside of the high risk groups; particularly the elderly (over 65). If however health officials do not predict which flu strains will be most prevalent, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be lower.

The annual flu shot is designed to counter one of the flu strains contained in the vaccine and nothing else. Any malady's that are not part of the flu strains will not be effected by the vaccine. So a sore throat, for example, which is not caused by flu, will not be helped by a shot of the flu vaccine.

The question is often asked as to why flu shots are necessary every year. One of the reasons for this is that the prevalent strains of flu change every year, so the vaccine will need to change. To stand a chance of being safe from the most likely suspects of flue virus, you would need to get a shot every year.

Many people are concerned about reactions to flu vaccine. The most common reactions, which begin within 12 hours or so of the vaccination, are symptoms of the flu itself, such as fever, tiredness, headaches etc. However, there are more serious reactions, which are known as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). These usually occur within two to four weeks of the shot. GBS is an nerve disorder, with symptoms such as muscle weakness, unsteadiness, numbness, tingling and pain. In extreme cases, paralysis of a limb or of the face can occur. It can take several months to recover, but it is not uncommon for some disability to remain. Having said that, less than 5 percent of GBS cases end in death.

The flu vaccine has never been recommended for healthy children. Some flu vaccine contain mercury as a preservative (as mentioned earlier). In the summer of 1999, the FDA, CDC and EPA directed the vaccine manufacturers to remove mercury (which is known as a neuro toxin) as a preservative in childhood vaccines, so no flu vaccine containing mercury should ever be used with children.

About the Author
Charlie Cory is a computer consultant and an online entrepreneur. He divides his time between his family and his online activities. If you want to know more about the flu, then visit this site which is full of information relating to influenza.

Generic Tamiflu: The Sure Shot Treatment for Flu

2009-05-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

by Susan Brown

Flu is one of the most dangerous maladies across the globe. Since it spreads very rapidly that makes it even more difficult to control. However, you need not to worry about. There is a sure shot treatment for flu- Generic Tamiflu. It's the medicine sold over 100 countries worldwide.

Generic Tamiflu is one of the most effective medications that are used to treat influenza or flu virus. The medicine is available in tablet as well as suspension form and suitable for adults and children over 1-year of age. Though it is considered very effective, Generic Tamiflu work best when taken within two days of infection or commencement of flu symptoms. You can take Generic Tamiflu to prevent flu as well.

How Generic Tamiflu works?

Basically Generic Tamiflu works in two ways:

First, it can help you minimize symptoms of flu such as weakness, headache, cough, and fever etc. Second, it helps you to prevent infection from flu. Generic Tamiflu has a substance that inhibits neuraminidase enzyme. The medication prevents spread of the flu-virus to other parts of the body.

Though there very few side effects and its safe for humans including children and women, in certain conditions, it's advised that you need to take precaution. You can take Generic Tamiflu if you who do not have history of heart problems, kidney disease, liver disease, lung problems among other serious problems.

If you are pregnant, it's better to avoid Generic Tamiflu. Though it's not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk, if you are a breast feeding mother, you should not use this medicine. Don't use Generic Tamiflu on infants below the age of one year.

The medicine is available in 30mg to 75 mg capsules. Usually, a dose of 75mg is taken twice a day. Since dosage differ person to person and situation to situation, before you begin Generic Tamiflu, it's advisable that you consult your doctor.

About the Author
Susan Brown is an associated editor to the website: www.genericmedix.co.uk - The Generic Drugs Portal. GenericMedix is committed to provide visitors with complete information on Generic Drugs, Latest News and its related topics. Your Feedback & comments will be highly appreciated at generic.medix@gmail.com.

Amantadine To Prevent Influenza

2009-04-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

by Olivia Andrews

Amantadine is a synthetic anti-viral drug. Amantadine is useful in the treatment of parkinson's syndrome. It is useful as an adjunct in patients who do not tolerate optimal doses of levodopa alone.

By improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced. In most of the case, it is also used to treat stiffness and shaking caused by certain medicines used to treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions. Amantadine may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Amantadine is available only with your doctor prescription in any medical store. It is the in the forms of Capsules, Syrup and Tablets. The following are the precautions should be taken:

1) While taking Amantadine drinking alcohol may cause in increasing side effect such as circulation problem, fainting or confusing. Doctors suggest to not taking alcohol while taking this medication.

2) Amantadine may cause some side effect like dryness of mouth and throat. If this is case then check with your physician.

3) This medication may cause some people to become dizzy, confused, or lightheaded or trouble concentrating.

4) Amantadine may cause some skin problem mostly in women's and usually occur on the legs and feet after amontadine has been taken regularly for a month or more.

5) Study on effect of Amantadine in pregnant women's has not done. However, there have been reports of birth defects of the heart, when women took amantadine during the first trimester of pregnancy.

6) Amantadine passes into breast milk. However, the effect of amantadine in newborn babies and infants are not knows.

Serious side effects accompanied with Amantadine are:
1. Vision disturbances
2. Swelling in the ankles or feet
3. Uncomman fatigue
4. Difficlulty while urination
5. Mood changes or state of severe depression
6. Muscle stiffness
7. Uncontrolled muscular movements

For more information on Amantadine, log on to http://www.benzer11.com/amantadine.html

About Olivia Andrews
Olivia Andrews, writing http://www.benzer11.com/amantadine.html is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects such as finance, education, health, entertainment, music, gifts, crafts, travel, apparels, and mobile phones.

About Common Cold and Influenza - What is the Difference (II)

2009-04-04T05:10:00.000-07:00

By Knut Holt

THE CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS OF INFLUENZA

Like cold, influenza is caused by virus strains that mutate frequently, but there tend to be one main virus strain each year that spread throughout the globe.

The transmission of the disease occurs by secretions from sick persons. These secretions can be carried as drops through the air, contaminate surfaces people touch, or get into the food. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus has entered the body.

Flu often begins as a diffuse lack of wellness that persists for some hours, and sometimes for a couple of days. Sometimes the flu does not progress past this stage. However, after some time the symptoms often suddenly get worse with a great degree of general discomfort. By flu the symptoms from the windpipe are the same as by common cold, but they are weaker:
- The throat or nose feels sore, but usually mildly.
- There can be some increased secretions from the nose and throat.
- There will be swelling in the nose and throat.
- Cough and sneezing are symptoms.

Symptoms from the rest of the body are the strongest by flu. The symptoms can be distributed throughout the whole body:

- Flu often gives high fever. High fever is the most important symptom to separate influenza from common cold.
- In spite of the fever, there is often a feeling of coldness in some parts of the body or of general coldness.
- There will be nausea, often severe, and often vomiting. Severe nausea and vomiting are also good indications of influenza, especially by children and teens.
- There is often a marked feeling of tiredness and general weakness.
- Mild to severe headache is common.
- Stomach ache and digestive disturbances often occur by flu.
- Aching around in the body, for example in muscles and around joints is common.
- Some persons experience a little neck stiffness and pain in the neck when trying to flex it, but this symptom must not be great. If these symptoms are distinct, the disease can be meningitis.
- The eyes can be read and irritated.
- Also skin redness can occur.

Having flu decreases the resistance against other viral and bacterial diseases substantially, especially if one does not get enough rest and comfort when having flu. Lung infection and throat infection by bacteria are common complications by flu.

Various forms of Influenza Viruses

2009-03-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

by Subhash

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). In people, common symptoms are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, and weakness and fatigue. In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal particularly in young children and the elderly.

Sometimes confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and caused by a different type of virus. Similarly, the unrelated gastroenteritis is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".

Types of influenza virusThe influenza virus is an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, which comprises the influenzaviruses, Isavirus and Thogotovirus. There are three types of influenza virus: Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B or Influenzavirus C. Influenza A and C infect multiple species, while influenza B almost exclusively infects humans.

The type A viruses are the most virulent human pathogens among the three influenza types and cause the most severe disease. The Influenza A virus can be subdivided into different serotypes based on the antibody response to these viruses.

Influenza B virus is almost exclusively a human pathogen, and is less common than influenza A. The only other animal known to be susceptible to influenza B infection is the seal. This type of influenza mutates at a rate 2-3 times lower than type A and consequently is less genetically diverse, with only one influenza B serotype. As a result of this lack of antigenic diversity, a degree of immunity to influenza B is usually acquired at an early age.

The influenza C virus infects humans and pigs, and can cause severe illness and local epidemics. However, influenza C is less common than the other types and usually seems to cause mild disease in children.

PATHOGENESIS AND DISEASE

SpreadThe virus is spread person to person via small particle aerosols (less than 10¼m diameter) that can get into respiratory tract. It can also survive for a short time on surfaces and can be spread by this route if the virus is introduced into the nasal mucosa before it loses infectivity. The incubation period is short, about 18 to 72 hours.Virus concentration in nasal and tracheal secretions remains high for 24 to 48 hours after symptoms start and may last longer in children. Titers are usually high and so there are enough infectious virions in a small droplet to start a new infection.

Site of infectionInfluenza virus infects the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. The cells die, in part due to the direct effects of the virus on the cell, and also possibly due to the effects of interferon. Cell death at later times may also result from the actions of cytotoxic T-cells. As a result, the efficiency of ciliary clearance is reduced, leading to impaired function of the mucus elevator; thus there is reduced clearance of infectious agents from the respiratory tract. Gaps in the protective epithelium provide other pathogens with access to other cells; however, viremia is very rare.

Recovery Interferon may play a role by decreasing virus production. Many of the symptoms of uncomplicated influenza (muscle aches, fatigue, fever) are associated with the efficient induction of interferon. The cell-mediated immune response is important in viral clearance. The antibody response is usually not significant until after virus has been cleared. Repair of the respiratory epithelium begins rapidly, but may take some time to complete.

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How To Lower Your Risk Of Catching Flu (Including Bird Flu)

2008-12-17T14:40:00.000-08:00

by Sarah K. Jenkins

Influenza is in no way a new ailment to plague the people of the world. However, a new deadly strand of the virus has everyone running for cover. How do you avoid catching flu, including the dangerous bird flu that threatens so many?

First, it should be explained that bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a virus much like the regular flu we are accustomed to. It is transmitted in much the same way, through droplets of saliva and mucus. However, bird flu is currently only transmitted from infected birds to humans and can not be passed from human to human like the regular flu. The main concern arises with bird flu as it is expected to mutate and at some point be transmitted by humans as well. Until this takes place, bird flu is only passed from infected birds to humans by way of direct contact with the animal or its feces.

The current outbreak of bird flu is taking place in Asia; therefore, there is little concern of catching the virus unless you are in that region and handling fowl. However, once the virus mutates it will be transmitted much like the standard flu and may be avoided in much the same way.

The obvious first step in lowering your risk of catching the virus is being administered a vaccine. There is currently not a vaccine for the dangerous strand of influenza, but one is being developed. With any luck one will be produced prior to any widespread contamination of the virus.

Another option is one utilized in most regular flu cases - taking antiviral medication, such as Tamiflu. These are expected to be effective on the dangerous strand of influenza as well as the regular flu virus. However, for this treatment to be useful, it must be administered early in the virus, typically within two days of showing symptoms. This and other drugs do not cure the virus, but instead lessen the effects of the symptoms. They may, however, prevent the virus from becoming severe.

The most effective way to avoid catching the flu, the regular flu as well as the bird flu, is prevention. Proper hygiene reduces the risk of the spread of influenza. Simple things, like washing your hands and avoiding close contact with sick people, may be your best technique in lowering your risk of becoming infected. Utilizing hand sanitizer is also a useful option.

About the Author
Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird Flu and Crohn’s Disease. For more of her articles, go to http://www.imedicalvillage.com now. Click here now and re

Relenza - Approved Prevention For Influenza

2008-10-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

Relenza is an anti viral medication. It is an approved medication for treating influenza-virus A, influenza-virus B and prophylaxis. Relenza is the type of Zanamivir. It the first neuraminidase inhibitor chemically developed to treat influenza-virus in children above 7 years of age and adults.

Influenza is a commonly found disease especially during the time of seasonal flu. The general symptoms of flu are fever, muscle pain, body ache, fatigue, headache and chill etc. the primary symptoms of flu which normally go unnoticed are soar throat, cold and cough. The symptoms of influenza flu are very similar to the symptoms of common cold and fever. However, the effects of influenza are much drastic on the health of the patient than the common cold.

A variety of medications are available in the market these days to prevent influenza. Relenza is one the effective medications prescribed by the doctors. It is referred to treat the uncomplicated cases of influenza. The studies have shown that relenza is effective for those cases which includes the fever in the symptoms. Without fever cases are referred to go through some other kind of treatment. Relenza is a kind of preventive measure that reduces the risk of expanding the illness. The patient should start taking relenza with in two days of seeing symptoms of influenza.

Relenza is a kind of powder which is to be taken through a diskhaler device. It is taken twice a day for five days with the help of breath-activated plastic device i.e. diskhaler in the cases of influenza. If you are taking relenza for preventive use inhale it one time in a day for 10 to 28 days as per the directions of the doctor. Consult your doctor first before starting taking the medication by yourself. He should have all the information about your allergies and medical record. After taking the medical consultation from the doctor, one can acquire the cheap relenza from online drug stores.

Several online drug stores are providing cheap relenza at your doorstep. You just need to search out the best offer available online for buying relenza. Though it is an approved medication for treating the influenza virus but it also has some side effects. One should stop taking this medicine if any allergic reactions like skin rashes, anaphylaxis or any other adverse reactions have been reported.

Apart from medical treatments, some supported home remedies are suggested in the cases of influenza flu. The patient should avoid taking bath in cold water and take a teaspoon full of unadulterated raw mustard oil. Use of cold ointments on the backside of the body, under the feet, and around the nostrils will help in relieving from the illness.

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Nasal Flu Vaccine More Effective in Children (II)

2008-09-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

Influenza Can Be Serious in Children

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all children 6 months to 5 years of age receive yearly immunizations against influenza. This is because influenza can cause very serious illness in small children.

According to Schaffner, "Children between 6 months to 2 years -- if they get influenza -- have rates of complications that are similar to those in people age 65 or over." These complications can include middle ear infections, pneumonia and even death.

Children who are 2 to 5 years old visit the doctor frequently for flu-related illness, are subjected to unnecessary tests, and are often given antibiotics they don't need. Typical antibiotics are not effective against the flu.

Belshe said, "Children get the flu twice as often as adults do, and they are also the main spreaders of flu. Thus, vaccinating children has a secondary benefit, to family members and especially the elderly, who can have serious consequences and death from influenza."

FDA Approval Necessary

The nasal vaccine, which is marketed under the name FluMist, is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use only in people between 5 and 49 years old. The manufacturer has already submitted application data to the FDA, and approval for the use of FluMist in children under 5 years of age will hopefully occur in time for the next flu season.

Schaffner predicts that the vaccine will soon be licensed for young children, but that doctors may be cautioned about using it.

As a note to parents, he said, "Your doctor will tell you which vaccine will be best for your child."

Nasal Flu Vaccine More Effective in Children (I)

2008-08-14T03:08:00.001-07:00

by BETH M. WICKLUND, M.D.

Young children and their parents may soon have less of a reason to cry when going to the doctor.

A nasal spray vaccine for the flu virus has been shown to be more effective in children than the standard intramuscular needle injection currently being used.

Content
New Mammogram Guidelines | Ask Dr. TimIn a study of nearly 8,000 children released today in the New England Journal of Medicine, children younger than 5 years old who received the nasal vaccine developed 55 percent fewer cases of the flu than those who received the injected vaccine.

"This vaccine will eventually lead to an easier process of vaccination and will substantially change the way pediatricians vaccinate children against the flu," said Dr. Robert Belshe, lead author of the study and director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center.

Not only did the nasal spray beat out the injectable vaccine against the strains of influenza actually contained in the vaccines, but it also prevented more infections caused by strains that were genetically drifted, or different, from the vaccine strains.

"It's as though you get a double-bang effect," said Dr. William Schaffner, chair of the department of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt Medical School in Nashville, Tenn.

"You get protection against the kind of influenza that is in the vaccine, as well as the kind that sometimes occurs out in the community and is a little bit different," Schaffner said.

Should all children now start to receive the nasal vaccine? There are precautions. Children who are 6 months to 1 year of age were almost twice as likely to develop wheezing and other illnesses within six weeks of their immunization if they received the nasal vaccine rather than the injected one.

In addition, all children with a history of wheezing or asthma -- even older children -- were slightly more likely to be hospitalized if they were given the nasal vaccine.

The reason for the rise in other illnesses is unclear, but it is concerning enough that Belshe says, "The nasal spray vaccine should become the vaccine of choice for children over 1 year of age without a history of wheezing [or asthma]. It is easier to use and has greater efficacy."

Flu vaccines are still very important for infants between 6 months and 1 year, and the injected vaccine should continue to be used.

Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, chair of the Pandemic Influenza Task Force of the Infectious Disease Society of America, said, "If the nasal vaccine causes some side effects, then we need to weigh the risks and benefits in each patient."

Future studies may investigate a combination of the injected and nasal vaccines in an effort to balance efficacy and safety in children younger than 1 year old.

The nasal vaccine contains virus that is still alive but disabled, so it doesn't cause the flu itself. In children, the live virus multiplies in the body and causes a stronger immune response than the injectable vaccine, which contains only inactivated virus particles.

This form of the vaccine is not as effective in adults, whose more mature immune systems do not allow the virus to replicate as much.

FDA approves seasons influenza vaccines

2008-08-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that it has approved this year's seasonal influenza vaccines that include new strains of the virus likely to cause flu in the United States during the 2008-2009 season.
The six vaccines and their manufacturers are: CSL Limited, Afluria; GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Fluarix; ID Biomedical Corporation of Quebec, FluLaval; MedImmune Vaccines Inc., FluMist; Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, Fluvirin; and Sanofi Pasteur Inc., Fluzone.

Approval information and specific indications can be found at http://www.fda.gov/cber/flu/flu2008.htm.

This season's vaccines contain three strains of the influenza virus that disease experts expect to be the most likely cause of the flu in the United States.

Each season's vaccines are modified to reflect the virus strains most likely to be circulating. The closer the match between the circulating strains and the strains in the vaccines, the better the protection.

There is always a possibility of a less than optimal match between the virus strains predicted to circulate and what virus strains end up causing the most illness. Even if the vaccines and the circulating strains are not an exact match, they will provide some protection and may reduce the severity of the illness or prevent flu-related complications.

"One of the biggest challenges in the fight against influenza is producing new vaccines every year," said Jesse L. Goodman, M.D., M.P.H., director of FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. "There is no other instance where new vaccines must be made every year. The approval of flu vaccines is a part of FDA's mission to promote the health of Americans throughout the year."

The FDA changed all three strains for this year's influenza vaccine-an unusual occurrence, as usually only one or two strains are updated from year to year. A list of the strains included in the 2008-2009 vaccine can be found at http://www.fda.gov/cber/flu/flu2008.htm. Of note, two of the three strains recommended for the U.S. this year are now in use for the Southern Hemisphere's 2008 influenza season, which is currently underway.

Each year, experts from the FDA, World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other institutions study virus samples and patterns collected throughout the year from around the world in an effort to identify strains that may cause the most illness in the upcoming season.

Based on those forecasts and on the recommendations of its Advisory Committee, the FDA each February decides on the three strains that manufacturers should include in their vaccines for the U.S. population. The FDA makes this decision early in the year so that manufacturers have enough time to produce the new vaccines.

Vaccination remains the cornerstone of preventing influenza, a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. According to the CDC, every year an average of 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu, more than 200,000 are hospitalized from flu complications and there are about 36,000 flu-related deaths. Some individuals - the elderly, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions - are at higher risk for flu-related complications. Vaccination of these groups and of health care personnel is critical.

"Currently, only 40 percent of health care workers in the United States are vaccinated against influenza," said Department of Health and Human Services' Assistant Secretary of Health Joxel Garcia, M.D., M.B.A.

"Increasing the number of vaccinated health care personnel can be a strong front in the annual battle against the flu," said Garcia. "Health care workers can set an example for the patients they serve as well as decrease the likelihood of contracting and transmitting the virus."

http://www.fda.gov

Flu Vaccine for the Elderly

2008-07-28T04:50:00.000-07:00

by Mercola.com

For most people, the flu shot does not prevent illness, but actually does the polar opposite--it weakens your immune system and makes you more predisposed to the illness. In light of the flu-related death toll, many people have been fooled into believing the only way to prevent death from the flu is to get a dose of the vaccine. However, the significant number of deaths associated with the flu is outrageously exaggerated!

As a surprising confirmation of this, one critic determined to expose the CDC and vaccine manufacturers for falsely instilling fear into people has found the truth behind the "statistics." According to the CDC's most recent death statistics located on their Web site, influenza and pneumonia killed 62,034 people in 2001. That means, in light of the current statistic, that just over half of those deaths resulted from the flu. However, upon further investigation, the actual number of deaths caused by the flu came to 257, with pneumonia accounting for the remaining number of deaths. What is helpful to understand is that the people who are really dying from the flu do so because they are already sick and have compromised immune systems.

So How Can You Strengthen Your Immune System And Prevent The Flu?

A key factor to preventing the flu is to start focusing on eating properly. That means avoiding:

*#Fast foods
*#Sugars
*#Grains
*#Trans-fats

Additionally you can increase the healthy and essential fats like the omega-3 fats found in fish and cod liver oil: Those of you who read the newsletter regularly know I'm a fan of the Carlson's brand of fish oil and cod liver oil, as I have seen clear and often substantial improvements in my patients who use it. Plus, Carlson's fish and cod liver oil is one of the few brands that put the extra vitamin E in it for you straight from the get-go, so you don't have to take extra vitamin E if you don't want to. You can find Carlson's fish or cod liver oil at your local health food store, or, for your convenience, on Dr. Mercola's Recommended Products page section - http://shop.mercola.com Also, be sure to increase the good carbohydrates like those in vegetables, and the healthy proteins like those in clean, naturally raised meats (i.e., NOT the kind you typically find in grocery stores).

That means learn your metabolic type as soon as possible so you know what proportion of fats, carbs and proteins are ideal to build your immune system.
Additionally, if you are to successfully prevent the flu, it is also important to:

*#Exercise regularly,
*#Get enough sleep,
*#Address stressors,
*#Wash your hands regularly.

You can read more about flu shot by visiting Flu Shot . Learn more about it before its's too late.

About the Author
Dr. Joseph Mercola is the founder of Mercola.com , one of the world's most visited and trusted health websites, and publisher of the FREE Mercola.com e-newsletter , -- your source of natural health information. Chicago, Illinois 8879852685

Tamiflu and Amantadine - medicines against Flu

2008-07-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

by Vlad Kott

Tamiflu is used to treat some types of influenza (flu) in patients who have had symptoms of the flu for 2 days or less. This drug works by stopping the growth and spread of the flu virus in your body. Tamiflu helps shorten the time you have flu symptoms such as nasal congestion, sore throat, cough, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, fever, and chills.

As the flu virus takes hold in the body, it forms new copies of itself and spreads from cell to cell. Tamiflu fights the virus by preventing the release of new copies from infected cells. Tamiflu is taken in liquid or capsule form.

Tamiflu can prevent the flu as long as you continue taking this medication, but getting a yearly flu shot is still the best way of avoiding the disease entirely. For older adults, those in high-risk situations such as health-care work, and people with an immune deficiency or respiratory disease, vaccination remains a must.

If you have the flu, continue taking it twice daily for 5 days, even if you start to feel better. To prevent the flu, take it once a day for at least 7 days. Protection lasts as long as you take the drug.

If Tamiflu upsets your stomach, try taking it with food. Shake the liquid suspension before each use. If you have kidney disease, cut your daily dose of Tamiflu in half. High doses of Tamiflu can cause nausea and vomiting.

Tamiflu works only on the flu virus. It won't stop bacterial infections that may have flu-like symptoms or bacterial infections that may develop while you have the flu.

Most problems noted during tests of Tamiflu were indistinguishable from the symptoms of flu. Here are the reactions that showed up more frequently in patients taking the drug.

* Side effects of Tamiflu may include:

Abdominal pain, asthma, bronchitis, cough, diarrhea, ear infection, fatigue, headache, insomnia, nausea, nosebleed, vertigo, vomiting.

If Tamiflu gives you an allergic reaction, avoid it in the future.

It is not known whether Tamiflu is completely safe during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor before taking Tamiflu. Tamiflu may appear in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. Taking it while breastfeeding is usually not recommended.

Tamiflu will not stop you from giving the flu to others. You should maintain proper hygiene, wash your hands frequently, and avoid situations such as sharing cups and utensils that can spread the virus to others.

Tamiflu does not replace the flu vaccine. You should continue to receive a flu shot each year if your doctor recommends it.

***Amantadine***

Amantadine is an antiviral. It is used to prevent or treat certain influenza infections (type A). It may be given alone or along with flu shots. Amantadine will not work for colds, other types of flu, or other virus infections.

Amantadine also is an antidyskinetic. It is used to treat Parkinson's disease, sometimes called paralysis agitans or shaking palsy. It may be given alone or with other medicines for Parkinson's disease. By improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced.

Amantadine is also used to treat stiffness and shaking caused by certain medicines used to treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions.

* Side effects

- Less common

Blurred vision; confusion (especially in elderly patients); difficult urination (especially in elderly patients); fainting; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); swelling of hands, feet, or lower legs

- Rare Convulsions (seizures); decreased vision or any change in vision; difficulty in coordination ; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased blood pressure; increase in body movements ; irritation and swelling of the eye; loss of memory; mental depression; severe mood or mental changes; skin rash; slurred speech; thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide; unexplained shortness of breath.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The more detailed information is available here =>Tamiflu and here Amantadine

Facts About Influenza Flu Medications

2008-07-05T05:32:00.001-07:00

by Olivia Andrews

Influenza, also known as flu is an infectious disease that spreads through upper airways and lungs in mammals. Common symptoms of influenza found are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness, and fatigue.

The best way to protect against the flu is to get proper medication during each flu season. Relenza is a medical prescription that works effectively for the treatment of seasonal flu. It works by reducing the spread of the influenza virus inside the body.

1. Use Relenza medication same as it is being prescribed for you and never try to use exceeded amounts.

2. This medicine is packed in disk shaped packs containing 4 blisters each placed between a device called Diskhaler so as to inhale the medicine. The device opens and loads a blister of the medicine each time one uses the inhaler but caution has to be taken that the device is not used with a spacer.

3. It is advisable not to use any other medicines in the diskhaler and put the cover back on the device when it is not being used.

4. In order to treat flu infections, use 2 inhalations every 12 hours for a period of 5 days but according to the prescription of a doctor.

5. For preventing flu symptoms, use two inhalations in every 24 hours for a period of 10 to 28 days.

6. If you suffer from chronic respiratory disease such as asthma and you are scheduled to use an inhaled bronchodilator along with relenza, then you should prefer using the bronchodilator before using relenza.

7. You should use this medication for entire length of time prescribed by your doctor and the symptoms may get better before the infection spreads.

8. It should be remembered that relenza should not be taken while a yearly flu shot.

9. It should be stored at a room temperature away from moisture and heat and throw away the diskhaler after the treatment ends.

Please do visit our website http://www.benzer11.com/relenza.html for more information.

About the Author
Olivia Andrews, writing for http://www.benzer11.com/relenza.html is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects such as finance, education, health, entertainment, music, gifts, crafts, travel, apparels and mobile phones.

High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease and Influenza

2008-07-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

By Stephen Morgan

Wow, the above title sounds a real mouthful but the reason for it is this. Apparently, (listen up at the back please) the yearly Winter Flu Jab can help reduce the number of fatal heart attacks, incidence of death and the number of unplanned emergency procedures that require work on the clogged arteries of patients with Coronary Artery Disease,

“Way to go, lets all pile down the Doc’s and get jabbed”

Without being accused of making too much of a joke about the above topic there is growing evidence apparently suggesting that people with Heart Disease or Heart Trouble generally should get a shot of the flu vaccination every year.

If you think about it the underlying logic behind it all is extremely sound. It is a common fact that people with Cardiovascular problems die of influenza every year, in fact in greater proportions that the norm. Therefore if you can prevent them getting influenza in the first place then you are a major step forward to preventing these deaths.

The key is that with patients already at high risk of deterioration in their condition could really be either put at the edge or over it health wise without this vaccination.

The latest study that has all the medical community talking was presented at the recent American Heart Association meeting in Chicago by a Research Group presenting its findings from their studies in Poland.

The problem with replicating the study in America was that in Poland the research involved 658 patients who had Coronary Heart Disease and the methodology of the survey would be deemed unethical in the US. They took 325 of them and gave them an active Influenza Vaccine and with the other 333, they gave them a placebo.

The problem with doing this in the US is that guidelines prevent them from doing it recommending that Heart Patients get the flu shots.

The real problem that this whole exercise has highlighted is this. The findings were extremely useful because of the parallel groupings etc in that their base terms of reference were almost identical i.e. they all had Heart Disease. This gave the research an extra form of validation but the reliance on the guidelines in the US against replicating this survey there has highlighted another major inconsistency.

According to the American College of Cardiology, only one out of every three Adults in the US with Heart Disease actually received the Influenza jab last year.

So much for adhering to guidelines preventing further research and a recommendation that every heart patient should get a flu vaccination. It would appear to be a case of “do what I say and not what I do!”

Stephen Morgan is principle Editor at Living with High Blood Pressure and also writes for High Blood Pressure and Heart Attacks

Various Forms Of Influenza Viruses

2008-06-30T03:12:00.001-07:00

by Vinay Choubey

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses). In people, common symptoms are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, and weakness and fatigue. In more serious cases, influenza causes pneumonia, which can be fatal particularly in young children and the elderly. Sometimes confused with the common cold, influenza is a much more severe disease and caused by a different type of virus. Similarly, the unrelated gastroenteritis is sometimes called "stomach flu" or "24-hour flu".

Types of influenza virus

The influenza virus is an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, which comprises the influenzaviruses, Isavirus and Thogotovirus. There are three types of influenza virus: Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B or Influenzavirus C. Influenza A and C infect multiple species, while influenza B almost exclusively infects humans.

The type A viruses are the most virulent human pathogens among the three influenza types and cause the most severe disease. The Influenza A virus can be subdivided into different serotypes based on the antibody response to these viruses.

Influenza B virus is almost exclusively a human pathogen, and is less common than influenza A. The only other animal known to be susceptible to influenza B infection is the seal. This type of influenza mutates at a rate 2-3 times lower than type A and consequently is less genetically diverse, with only one influenza B serotype. As a result of this lack of antigenic diversity, a degree of immunity to influenza B is usually acquired at an early age.

The influenza C virus infects humans and pigs, and can cause severe illness and local epidemics. However, influenza C is less common than the other types and usually seems to cause mild disease in children.

PATHOGENESIS AND DISEASE

Spread

The virus is spread person to person via small particle aerosols (less than 10ìm diameter) that can get into respiratory tract. It can also survive for a short time on surfaces and can be spread by this route if the virus is introduced into the nasal mucosa before it loses infectivity. The incubation period is short, about 18 to 72 hours.

Virus concentration in nasal and tracheal secretions remains high for 24 to 48 hours after symptoms start and may last longer in children. Titers are usually high and so there are enough infectious virions in a small droplet to start a new infection.

Site of infectiion

Influenza virus infects the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract. The cells die, in part due to the direct effects of the virus on the cell, and also possibly due to the effects of interferon. Cell death at later times may also result from the actions of cytotoxic T-cells. As a result, the efficiency of ciliary clearance is reduced, leading to impaired function of the mucus elevator; thus there is reduced clearance of infectious agents from the respiratory tract. Gaps in the protective epithelium provide other pathogens with access to other cells; however, viremia is very rare.

Recovery

Interferon may play a role by decreasing virus production. Many of the symptoms of uncomplicated influenza (muscle aches, fatigue, fever) are associated with the efficient induction of interferon. The cell-mediated immune response is important in viral clearance. The antibody response is usually not significant until after virus has been cleared. Repair of the respiratory epithelium begins rapidly, but may take some time to complete.

About the Author
Vinay Choubey SEO Manager For more details on Influenza Viruses visit us at http://www.halfvalue.com and http://www.halfvalue.co.uk For information on Books Visit: http://www.lookbookstores.com

Cold and Flu - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

2008-06-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

by James Sameul

What is Cold and Flu
Is it a cold or the flu? While a common cold, including chest cold and head cold, can be caused by more than 200 viruses, seasonal flu is caused by either influenza A or B viruses. Cold and flu remedies can usually ease symptoms. Antiviral medications like Relenza or Tamiflu are helpful if prescribed soon after flu symptoms start.Influenza (commonly known as the flu) and colds are among the most common infections of the respiratory system. People often confuse the two, calling a bad cold the "flu," or vice versa.

Typically, the flu (also known as influenza) has symptoms that make a child feel worse than symptoms associated with a common cold, but it's not always that easy to tell the difference between the two.

What are the causes of the flu? Influenza viruses are divided into three types, designated A, B, and C. Influenza types A and B are responsible for epidemics of respiratory illness that occur almost every winter and are often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death. Influenza type C differs from types A and B in some important ways.

The truth is, the flu and the common cold are caused by viruses. People get sick more often in the winter because they are exposed to each other more in the winter than in the summer. When it is cold outside, people tend to stay inside and are more likely to spread germs to one another.

The flu is caused by three types (strains) of viruses -- influenza A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics (worldwide epidemics) that strike every 10 to 40 years. Type B can lead to smaller, more localized outbreaks. And either types A or B can cause the flu that circulates almost every winter. Type C has never been connected with a large epidemic.

Symptoms of Cold and Flu Viral pharyngitis may develop gradually. It is often accompanied by the flu or a cold, and body aches. If a fever is present, it will generally be in the range of 101 degrees F or below.With cold symptoms, your nose teems with watery nasal secretions for the first few days. Later, these become thicker and darker. Dark mucus is natural and does not usually mean you have developed a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection.

Recognizing the symptoms of the common cold is important for a few reasons. If you realize what symptoms are bothering you the most, you will know which medications will help relieve them.

Introduction to cold, flu, and allergy treatments Every year, millions of people use over-the-counter (OTC) products to relieve nasal stuffiness and congestion, sneezing, runny noses, sore throat, and cough. The common causes of these symptoms include the viruses that cause the common cold, influenza virus, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and sinus infections (sinusitis).

ince it is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not work against the common cold. These types of upper respiratory infections go away on their own and taking antibiotics will not help your child get better any faster and will likely not prevent secondary bacterial infections, such as an ear infection or sinus infection.

For thick phlegm, patients may try cough medications that contain guaifenesin (Robitussin, Scot-Tussin Expectorant), which loosens mucus. Patients should not suppress coughs that produce mucus and phlegm; it is important to expel this substance. To loosen phlegm, patients should drink plenty of fluids and use a humidifier or steamer.Take paracetamol to control fever, aches and pains (adults can use aspirin). Early use of antiviral medication may shorten the length and severity of illness. Consult a doctor to discuss treatment.

About the Author
Read about Home Remedies. Also Read about Health Blog, Fitness Blog and Herbal Remedies, Natural Remedies

Important Facts About The Flu

2008-04-30T22:47:00.000-07:00

by Ethan Miller

The flu is a respiratory infection, despite the fact that it causes full body pain, digestive upsets, and headaches. The flu can sweep through entire communities in a matter of days, moving through schools, work places, and shopping centers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 5 to 20 percent of Americans are infected with the flu during each flu season, typically from November to March. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to become ill.

The CDC estimates that 200,000 people are hospitalized each year and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complication.

The danger of the flu is that it spreads to epidemic proportions within days, and it mutates, making it difficult to prevent. Each strain of flu reacts differently in the body, making it impossible to predict how the next epidemic will hit society.

The government is now encouraging people to cough into their upper arm, or sleeve, if they do not have a tissue. They should also wipe their hands after they cough. This prevents the spread of the disease between people working in close proximity of each other.

Hand washing needs to be done with a soap based, or alcohol based hand cleaner. The new bacterial cleaners may not work unless they are alcohol based.

The elderly, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses, however, the flu and its complications can be life-threatening. The danger caused by an out-break dependsd on the virus strain.

Flu is caused by a variety of influenza viruses. Researchers identified the first strains in the 1930s. They classify influenza viruses into types A, B, and C.

* Type A is the most common and causes the serious epidemics. * Type B outbreaks can cause epidemics, but the symptoms are milder than those in type A. * Type C viruses, has never been connected with an epidemic.

There is no cure for the flu. The only plan of action is plenty of bed rest, drinking fluids, and taking medications that alleviate the symptoms.

This is followed by careful attention to symptoms. The flu can turn into a bacterial infection, resulting in pneumonia, within hours. It is important to remember that complications can appear after the patient starts to feel better.

Complications include a high fever, shaking, chills, chest pains, and may include vomiting and diarrhea. A doctor should be consulted if coughing produces a yellow-green mucus, especially if it is expectorated from the body. This means, that it is coughed hard from the body with force, sending it several feet away - if the patient did not have a tissue.

It is important to remember that influenza A virus is resistant to Rimantadine and amantadine. The CDC recommends that you not take these medicines to treat the flu. Avoid giving aspirin to children and adolescents with the flu, and do not take antibiotics.

IF a pandemic breaks out, visit http://www.pandemicflu.gov/ to learn the news, and learn what you can do to protect yourself and your family. This site tracks the all forms of the flu, and has tutorials to help people protect themselves in case of a flu pandemic.

About the Author
Ethan Miller advises on health issues from his web site at http://asthmaroom.com He invites you to receive his FREE health information guide here http://www.lowcarbrescue.com

Influenza, also known as flu

2008-04-17T22:04:00.000-07:00

by Sulamita Berrezi

Influenza, also known as flu, is the clinical condition that results from infection with influenza viruses. The main effects of the influenza viruses are on the upper respiratory tract, the nose and throat, with possible spread and involvement of the lungs and bronchi. The disease is highly contagious and it has potential to cause wide spread epidemics affecting sizeable portion of a population at any time. Although it is more common during winter it may strike at any time. It affects people of all ages.

Symptoms Influenza strikes suddenly.
It usually begins with a chill, fever, headache and severe muscular pains. The patient feels miserable and weak. There is an inflammation in the nose and throat, which may spread down the windpipe to the lungs, resulting in a sore throat, cough, running of the nose and eyes. In milder case of influenza the temperature rises to 102 o F and lasts for two or three days. In severe cases, it may go upto 104 o F and last for four or five days. The consequent weakness and fatigue may continue for several weeks. This may be followed by a deep chest cough due to irritation in the windpipe.

Causes Influenza is what is known as germ disease.
It is, however, not caused primarily by the action of the germs as is generally believed, but develops due to a toxic and run-down condition of the system of the affected person. This condition is brought about by dietetic errors and a faulty style of living such as worry, over work, lack of proper exercise , living in stuffy rooms and keeping late hours. No disease germs can find lodgment and become active in the system of a person who is perfectly healthy in the true sense of the term. Influenza is passed on with ease from one affected person to an other especially to those who are also in an equally low vital stage. That is how an epidemic starts.

Treatment Influenza.
Like all other acute diseases, is a natural attempt at self-cleansing and if rightly treated in a natural way, immense good can ensue so far as the future health of the patient is concerned.

In the acute stage of influenza, a patient should abstain from all solid foods and only drink fruit and vegetable juices diluted with water, 50 - 50 for first three to five days, depending on the severity of the disease. The juice fast should be continued till the temperature comes down to normal.

The warm water enema should be taken daily during this period to cleanse the bowels. After fever subsides the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for two or three days. In this regimen, the patient should take three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, oranges, pineapple, peaches and melons at five-hourly intervals. Bananas or dried, stewed or tinned fruits however, should not be taken. No other food stuff should be added to the fruit meals, otherwise the value of the treatment will be lost. This may be followed by a further two or three days on fruits and milk diet.

Thereafter, the patient may adopt a well-balanced diet of three basic food groups namely, (i) seeds, nuts and grains, (ii) vegetables, and (iii) fruits. Spices and condiments , and pickles, which make food more palatal and lead to overeating, must be avoided. Lemon juice may be used in salad dressing. Alcohol, tobacco, strong tea and coffee, highly seasoned meats, over-boiled milk, pulses, potato, rice, cheese, refined, processed, stale and tinned foods should all be avoided.

Certain remedies have been found highly beneficial in the treatment of influenza. The most important of these is the use of long pepper. Half a teaspoonful of the powder of the long pepper with two teaspoonfuls of honey and half a teaspoonful of juice of ginger should be taken thrice a day. This will help greatly if taken in initial stages of the disease. It is especially useful in avoiding complications which follow the onset of the disease, namely, the involvement of the larynx and bronchial tube.

Another excellent remedy for influenza is the green leaves of basil or tulsi plant. About one gram of these leaves should be boiled along with some ginger n half a litre of water till about half the water is left. This decoction should be taken as tea. It gives immediate relief.

Garlic and turmeric are other effective food medicines for influenza. Garlic is useful as a general antiseptic and should be given as much as the patient can bear. Garlic juice may also be sucked up the nose. A teaspoonful of turmeric powder should be mixed in a cup of warm milk and taken three times in the day. It will prevent complications arising from influenza and also activate the liver which becomes sluggish during the attack.

About the Author
Sulamita work on le canzoni del festival di sanremo negli anni 80, and canzoni sanremo anni 80and festival canzone italiana anni 80

Panel Recommends All Kids Get Flu Shots

2008-04-04T04:22:00.000-07:00

All children _ not just those under 5 _ should get vaccinated against the flu, a federal advisory panel said Wednesday. The panel voted to expand annual flu shots to virtually all children except infants younger than 6 months and those with serious egg allergies.

That means about 30 million more children could be getting vaccinated. If heeded, it would be one of the largest expansions in flu vaccination coverage in U.S. history. The flu vaccine has been available since the 1940s.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said all children should start getting vaccinated as soon as possible, acknowledging that many doctors have already ordered their vaccine for the 2008-2009 season and may not be able to give the shots until 2009-2010. The flu season generally starts in the fall and continues through spring.

The panel's advice is routinely adopted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which issues vaccination guidelines to doctors and hospitals.

Flu shots were already recommended for those considered to be at highest risk of death or serious illness from the flu, including children ages 6 months to 5 years, adults 50 and older, and people with weakened immune systems

The panel said that should be expanded to include children up to age 18.

Children ages 5 to 18 get flu at higher rates than other age groups, but they don't tend to get as sick. Of the 36,000 estimated annual deaths attributed to the flu, only 25 to 50 occur in children in that age bracket, CDC officials said.

But children who stay home sick from school cause parents to stay home, so reducing the illness in this group should cut down days of lost work, some experts said.

Experts believe giving flu shots to more children may also prevent the illness from spreading to adults and the elderly, although studies haven't clearly established that will happen.

Shots are not the only option. A nasal spray vaccine, FluMist, is approved for healthy people ages 2 to 49.

Panel members waffled a bit on whether to make the recommendations kick in immediately. Some public health professionals pushed them to make the clearest endorsement possible of the flu vaccine, concerned that the public is losing faith in flu shots because this year's vaccine was not well matched to circulating viruses.

About Common Cold and Influenza - What is the Difference (III)

2008-03-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

By Knut Holt

THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF INFLUENZA

As with common cold staying away from people being sick and a strict washing regime may also prevent the transmission of the influenza virus, but such a regime is difficult to carry through.

It is often possible to prevent flu with vaccination. However there are many strains of the flu viruses, and therefore the vaccination must be given exactly against that strain being epidemic at any given time.

By flu it is important to reduce the activity level and keep oneself warm and comfortable until all the symptoms have resided. By severe symptoms, rest in bed is recommended. Straining and stressing during a flu episode easily result in an aggravated disease and additional bacterial or viral infections.

It is advised to stay away from tobacco when having flu.

Aspirin or paracetamol can be used to relieve the pain and bring down the fever. As by cold, paracetamol is commonly recommended, especially for children and teens. The drugs should not be taken in higher doses than recommended and even recommended does shall be used with caution, and not too long.

There exist modern drugs that help against the proliferation of some strains of influenza virus in the body, and thereby alleviate the disease and shorten the time it takes to get rid of the disease. The two classes of anti-virals are neuraminidase inhibitors and M2 inhibitors (adamantane derivatives). Neuraminidase inhibitors are most often preferred, for example the drug Tamiflu. These inhibit the action of the enzyme neuramidase that the virus uses. There is a reluctance to use these drugs because strains of virus not susceptible to the drug can develop, and the stores of the drug can easily get short with extensive use.

Drugs to decrease swelling, inhibit mucus production, loosen mucus and suppress cough can also be used by influenza as by common cold.

The same natural supplements used to improve the immune system against colds may also be of help to prevent flu and to help the body to overcome the disease faster, like supplements with Echinacea and vitamin c. Some herbs in the genus Scutellaria (skullcaps) contain a natural neuramidase inhibitor and may also help against flu. Scullcap is often prepared as tea.

DISTINGUISH COLD AND FLU FROM MENINGITIS

Meningitis is a serious disease that requires immediate treatment. Meningitis may begin with the same symptoms as cold and flu. There are however two symptoms that strongly suggest meningitis:

By meningitis there is often severe neck stiffness. If bending down the neck is very difficult and causes severe pain, the condition may be meningitis.

The other symptom is red spots in the skin that do not get pale when pressing at them. These spots can occur anywhere on the body.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHECKING A PERSON HAVING COLD OR FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS

When some person, and especially a child, gets sick with cold or flu-like symptoms it is necessary to measure the temperature, check for neck stiffness and to look at the whole body to detect any red spots. These checks should be done several times each 24 hours. In this way one more easily distinguishes between common cold and flu, and meningitis is more easily discovered in time.

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Flu Season: The Most Miserable Time Of The Year!

2008-03-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

by Richard H Ealom

Introduction
Flu (influenza) season means the months of the year when a lot of people have it and it's easy to catch. Outbreaks usually begin suddenly and occur mainly in the late fall and winter. It is a respiratory infection caused by a number of different viruses. Vaccines are usually given in the fall, before flu season starts and are available as a shot or nasal mist. Shots are most important for: people 65 or older, nursing home patients, children over 6 months old, people with health problems such as asthma or with long-term diseases, such as HIV or heart disease, children or teen-agers who must often take aspirin, people who are often around older people or those with health problems. Symptoms can be mild or severe â€¦#34; and if theyâ€™re mild can become severe without notice.

Symptoms

If you get infected by the virus, you will usually feel symptoms 1 to 4 days later. Signs of the flu may include: fever, chills, headache, muscle ache, dizziness, loss of appetite, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, weakness, ear pain, diarrhea. They come on suddenly and are worse than those of the common cold however; having these symptoms does not automatically mean that you have the flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can have similar symptoms. It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of these signs alone.

If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications, you should consult your health-care provider. Based on your signs, your doctor can usually tell if you have influenza, especially during times when a lot of it is going around. After 5 days, fever and other signs have usually disappeared, but a cough and weakness may continue for a while. All symptoms are usually gone within a week or two.

Vaccine

Two kinds of flu vaccines are available in the United States: The "flu shot" â€¦#34; an in-activated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm OR the nasal-spray â€¦#34; a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause influenza (sometimes called LAIV for â€œlive attenuated influenza vaccineâ€ or FluMistÂ®). On October 24, 2007 CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended expanding the use of the nasal influenza vaccine LAIV (FluMist) to include healthy children ages 2-4 years old without a history of asthma or recurrent wheezing.

Anyone who's at risk of getting really sick needs to get a flu shot, or vaccine. Itâ€™s good for kids who are around older people and younger kids (like little brothers and sisters) to get the vaccine also. If you get the vaccine, or shot, it will protect you from getting a bad case of the flu. Whichever one you get, you need to get a new vaccine every year because the flu virus changes every year and the vaccine is created to fight the viruses that are going to be a problem that year. The flu vaccine is usually offered between September and mid-November, although it may be given at other times of the year. Because it prevents infection from only a few of the viruses floating around that can cause flu-like symptoms, it is not a guaranteed protection against getting sick. Call your doctor or local public health department about availability in your area.

Treatment

Many people treat their flu by simply Resting in bed, Drinking plenty of fluids, Taking over-the-counter medicine such as aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol). You can develop complications if you get a bacterial infection, which can cause pneumonia in your weakened lungs. Treatment is usually not necessary for children, but if the illness is diagnosed early and the patient is at risk of developing a severe case, it can and should be started. Treatment will only help however; If started early and only if the illness is actually influenza. Treatment includes bed rest and plenty of fluids; anti-viral drugs may also be prescribed.

Conclusion

Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include the following symptoms: Fever (usually high), Headache, Tiredness (can be extreme), Cough, Sore throat, Runny or stuffy nose, Body aches, Diarrhea and vomiting (more common among children than adults). A doctor's exam may be needed to tell whether you have developed the flu or a complication. There are tests that can determine if you have influenza as long as you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days of illness. In some people, the illness can cause serious complications, including bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes. The flu can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.

Although most healthy people recover from the flu without complications, some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), are at high risk for serious complications. The virus usually spreads from person to person in respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. People occasionally may become infected by touching something with the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes. The single best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a vaccination each year.

The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease). October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated in December or even later can still be beneficial since most influenza activity occurs in January or later in most years.

About the Author
Richard H. Ealom is the Author of this article and the creator of "Free Articles On Diseases: How To Prevent and Cure Them". Need more information Please visit our website @ http://rainydrops.com/a-flu/flu.php or http://rainydrops.com/alternative-orthodox.php

Can Drinking Green Tea Prevent The Flu?

2008-02-26T22:49:00.000-08:00

by Marcus Stout

In the U.S. alone, between 25 and 50 million people get the flu each year. 150,000 people are hospitalized and 30,000-40,000 die. So, it's clear that getting the flu is a significant health concern.
Most of those who are hospitalized or die from the flu are the very young and the very old; so flu prevention is even more essential for this population group. If you're concerned about preventing the flu virus this year, here are some things you can do to reduce your risk.

Flu-related deaths usually result from pneumonia and from complications of cardiopulmonary conditions and other chronic diseases. Deaths of older adults account for more than 90% of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza.

Get a Flu Shot - Flu shots are highly effective at preventing the most prevalent strain of flu virus each year. For anyone who interacts regularly with the public, and particularly for school age children who are exposed to all sorts of germs each day, this is an important step in staying healthy throughout the flu season. It is a necessary step for the elderly and children three years old and under, who are those most likely to develop serious complications from the flu.

Wash Your Hands - The single most important thing you can do to prevent catching a contagious illness is to keep your hands clean. Wash your hands frequently, using warm water and anti-bacterial soap.

Use Tissues - When you sneeze or cough, be certain to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Let the tissue catch the germs and throw it away immediately.

Use an Anti-viral medication - If you find yourself coming down with the flu, see your doctor and get a prescription for an anti-viral medication. These medications are effective at shortening the duration of your symptoms. In addition, some anti-viral medications can prevent you from getting the flu.

These medications are great for those who have a close family member who has contracted the flu, and are certain they have been exposed. They should not be considered a replacement for the flu vaccine, but can be used as an emergency preventer if you didn't get the flu vaccine and know you're at particular risk.

Eat healthy - Keeping your immune system strong is critical to disease prevention. A healthy diet, full of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with plenty of rest will help your body be more able to fight off germs that come your way.

Drink green tea - One little known secret about preventing the flu is adding green tea to your diet. Research has shown that green tea is extremely effective at preventing the flu, when consumed regularly. One study, reported by the UK Tea Council showed that green tea can protect in two ways. First, green tea suppresses the growth of influenza cells. Secondly, green tea actually kills off the influenza cells.

And, one thing that's so great about green tea - it can protect against many strains of the flu virus. The flu vaccine each year just protects against that year's most prevalent strain.

Green tea has recently garnered much attention for its ability to prevent disease and protect health. Research has shown that green tea's powerful anti-oxidants are the key to preventing serious illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease.

In addition, it's been shown to regulate blood sugar, which means it may have significant potential in controlling diabetes. And, it has many anti-microbial properties, and may have the ability to kill or prevent other viruses besides the flu.

Anti-oxidants are powerhouses for our health. Each day, as our body converts the food we eat into energy, free radicals are created. These free radicals damage our cells and DNA, creating a process called oxidation throughout our bodies.

If this oxidation is allowed to continue over the years, it leads to disease and early aging. But, anti-oxidants neutralize these free radicals, preventing them from doing their damage.

So, eating a diet rich in anti-oxidants is one of the best things you can do to protect your health. And, green tea is one of the best sources of anti-oxidants around. In addition, anti-oxidants can be found in fruits, vegetables, coffee, red wine and dark chocolate.

If you're interested in maximizing your anti-oxidant intake, stick to those foods and beverages that have the most potent anti-oxidants. The best sources include:

* Tomatoes * Artichokes * Blueberries * Pomegranates * Green Tea * Asparagus

We're learning that protecting our health and preventing disease is really more in our hands than we've previously realized. We have the power to keep our bodies young and healthy far into our old age, and we have the power to prevent short term illnesses, like the flu.

The flu season is a nasty period of winter - and often wreaks havoc on many families. However, with some careful attention to your health, you can prevent the flu and have a healthy and happy winter this year.

About the Author
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

What to expect if we see a Pandemic Influenza in our lifetime (I)

2008-02-21T22:50:00.000-08:00

by Cyros Steven

What to expect if we see a Pandemic Influenza in our lifetimeAs you and your family plan for the potential of an influenza pandemic, think about the challenges you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe. You can start to prepare now to be able to respond to these challenges. The following are some challenges you or your family may face and recommendations to help you cope.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES YOU DEPEND ON MAY BE DISRUPTED;

Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted. These could include services provided by hospitals and other healthcare facilities, banks, restaurants, government offices, telephone and cellular phone companies, and post offices.Stores may close or have limited supplies. Taking stock of the items you and your family require now on a daily basis will help you determine what items you should stockpile to help you manage without these servicesTransportation services may be disrupted and you may not be able to rely on public transportation. Plan to take fewer trips and store essential supplies.

Public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings and worship services, may be canceled. Prepare contact lists including conference calls, telephone chains, and email distribution lists, to access or distribute necessary information.

Consider that the ability to travel, even by car if there are fuel shortages, may be limited.You should also talk to your family about where family members and loved ones will go in an emergency and how they will receive care, in case you cannot communicate with them.In a pandemic, there may be widespread illness that could result in the shut down of local ATMs and banks. Keep a small amount of cash or traveler's checks in small denominations for easy use.

FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES MAY BE INTERRUPTED AND LIMITED;

Food and water supplies may be interrupted so temporary shortages could occur. You may also be unable to get to a store. To prepare for this possibility you should store at least one to two weeks supply of non-perishable food and fresh water for emergencies - more if you have the room and the budget for it. Here's a basic guide for what you should plan to have on hand;

FOOD

-Store two weeks of nonperishable food.-Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation (including the use of water), or cooking.
-Insure that formulas for infants and any child's or older person's special nutritional needs are a part of your planning.

WATER

-Store two weeks of water, 1 gallon of water per person per day. (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation/sanitation), in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

BEING ABLE TO WORK MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE;

-Ask your employer how business will continue during a pandemic.
-Discuss staggered shifts or working at home with your employer.
-Discuss telecommuting possibilities and needs, accessing remote networks, and using portable computers.-Discuss possible flexibility in leave policies.
-Discuss with your employer how much leave you can take to care for yourself or a family member.
-Plan for possible loss of income if you are unable to work or the company you work for temporarily closes.

What to expect if we see a Pandemic Influenza in our lifetime (II)

2008-02-07T22:55:00.000-08:00

by Cyros Steven

SCHOOLS AND DAYCARE CENTERS MAY BE CLOSED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME;

-Schools, and potentially public and private preschool, childcare, trade schools, and colleges and universities may be closed to limit the spread of flu in the community and to help prevent children from becoming sick.
-Other school-related activities and services could also be disrupted or cancelled including: clubs, sports/sporting events, music activities, and school meals. School closings would likely happen very early in a pandemic and could occur on short notice.
-Talk to your teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations about your school's pandemic plan, and offer your help.
-Plan now for children staying at home for extended periods of time, as school closings may occur along with restrictions on public gatherings, such as at malls, movie theaters.
-Plan home learning activities and exercises that your children can do at home. Have learning materials, such as books, school supplies, and educational computer activities and movies on hand.
-Talk to teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations about possible activities, lesson plans, and exercises that children can do at home if schools are closed. This could include continuing courses by TV or the internet.
-Plan entertainment and recreational activities that your children can do at home. Have materials, such as reading books, coloring books, and games, on hand for your children to use.

MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS COULD BE DISRUPTED;

-In a severe pandemic, hospitals and doctors' offices may be overwhelmed.
-If you have a chronic disease, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, or depression, you should continue taking medication as prescribed by your doctor.
-Make sure you have necessary medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment.
-Talk to your healthcare provider to ensure adequate access to your medications.
-If you receive ongoing medical care such as dialysis, chemotherapy, or other therapies, talk with your health care provider about plans to continue care during a pandemic.

About the Author
About the author; Steven Cyros pens for www.MREdepot.com , a disaster preparedness website specializing in canned butter, cheese, freeze dried foods and MRE's for long term storage. You can find more information and products to help your family prepare at http://www.MREdepot.com . Disaster Preparedness at www.MREdepot.com

Influenza Spreads Readily In Winter Conditions

2008-01-31T22:05:00.000-08:00

Low temperatures and relative humidities have been linked to the rapid spread of influenza in a new study by researchers, led by Dr. Peter Palese, from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The study, published in PLoS Pathogens, supports the theory of the seasonal flu.

Influenza has long been considered a seasonal virus. Factors including indoor crowding during cold weather, seasonal fluctuations in host immune responses, relative humidity, temperature, and UV radiation have all been suggested to account for this phenomenon, but none of these hypotheses had previously been tested directly.

The researchers tested the effects of temperature and relative humidity on infected and naive guinea pigs. The study found that low relative humidities of 20%-30% induced the rapid spread of the virus, with the opposite effect at 80% or above. Also, results showed that the virus spread more easily at 5 °C than at 20 °C, with no transmission at 30 °C.

The data implicates that low relative humidities produced by indoor heating and winter temperatures favor the spread of influenza. This study should serve as the basis for understanding the seasonality of other viral infections.

The Scary Truth About Influenza (II)

2008-01-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

By SALLY H. HOUSTON, M.D.

How Can I Prevent Flu?

Vaccination is safe and effective. There are two kinds of vaccine: an injection and a new nasal vaccine.
The injection is made with killed flu virus and is safe for people 6 months old and older. The nasal vaccine is administered directly into the nose and is for healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years.

You cannot get flu from the injected vaccine. There is a small risk that people with weakened immune systems could become sick from the nasal vaccine, which is made with a weakened form of the flu virus.
Some people still get flu after vaccination, but they are much less likely to become seriously ill than those who have not been vaccinated.
There may not be adequate supplies of flu vaccine to vaccinate everyone against flu every year. In that case, vaccine manufacturers and public health authorities will work together to assure those at greatest risk receive vaccines first.
Priorities for flu vaccination include individuals at high risk for complications and their caregivers. This includes children 6 months to 5 years old, pregnant women, those over 50 years old, people who live in nursing homes and those with chronic illnesses.
Complications associated with flu vaccine are very rare and include pain and swelling at the injection site, fever and aches (more common in children), and allergic reactions to components of the vaccine.
Medicines used to treat flu can also be used to prevent flu, but these work best when used in addition to the vaccine. Otherwise, they must be taken for the whole flu season, which spans fall and winter.
Some people cannot take vaccine and may need to take these medications to prevent flu. Check with your doctor if you have questions about flu prevention.

Keeping sick people at home, washing hands frequently, covering nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing will prevent flu, as well as ward off other germs that cause colds, vomiting or diarrhea.

Dr. Sally Houston is an associate professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and chief of staff at Tampa General Hospital.

The Scary Truth About Influenza (I)

2008-01-10T01:04:00.000-08:00

By SALLY H. HOUSTON, M.D.

The Flu Kills More Than 36,000 People Each Year -- Here's How to Protect Yourself

Flu has been one of the most devastating infections in human history. In 1918 and 1919, the flu killed 50 million people worldwide in just a few months.

Fortunately, flu seasons this dangerous are rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 to 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year. That is 15 to 60 million people in the United States alone.
Approximately 200,000 are hospitalized because of flu complications, and 36,000 die. Many of these deaths could be prevented if people got their flu vaccine in the fall each year.
There are hundreds of possible strains of flu virus, and getting the flu once does not protect you from getting it again.
Each year scientists determine which strains of flu are the most likely for the next flu season. Then they make a vaccine to protect against those strains.

Even if you get infected with a different strain, the flu vaccine will help your body fight off the infection more quickly, and you will not get as sick.

What Is Flu?

The flu is caused by the influenza virus, a potentially life-threatening respiratory tract infection that can be prevented by getting vaccinated and avoiding exposure. Preventing the spread of influenza is everyone's responsibility.
Flu symptoms include sudden onset of high fever, dry cough, sore throat, stuffy nose and severe muscle pains in the legs and low back. People with the flu usually do not experience a runny nose, vomiting or diarrhea.
Most people with flu will feel terrible for five to seven days and then recover completely. However, the very young, elderly or those with chronic illnesses are at greater risk of developing complications that may lead to hospitalization or even death. These patients develop life-threatening complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure or heart failure.

What Do I Do If I Get the Flu?

The most important thing any flu victim can do is to stay at home. This will help prevent spread of flu to others.
A quick call to your doctor is also important because there are medicines that will shorten the course and decrease the severity of flu symptoms, but they must be started within 48 hours of the first symptoms.

Rest, drink plenty of fluids and take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin to help with the fever and muscle aches. But never give aspirin to children with the flu because serious and deadly complications can develop.
Tylenol is a very safe medication for treating fever and pain, but high doses or even normal doses taken with alcohol can cause liver failure. Check over-the-counter medication labels to be sure that you do not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours. Ibuprofen should be taken with plenty of liquids and some food to prevent stomach upset.

Dr. Sally Houston is an associate professor at the University of South Florida College of Medicine and chief of staff at Tampa General Hospital.

to be continued

How to get rid of flu (II)

2008-01-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

by blogger

Use of Antibiotics It's not effective to use antibiotics when suffering from flu and cough, because antibiotics are effective only against and have no effect on the viruses that causes flu.

Some Useful Home Remedies for controlling COUGH

* Add turmeric, a little ginger juice and a pinch of crushed black pepper in milk and drink. Apply balm on chest and go to sleep. * In a cup of hot water, add 2-3 tbsp apple vinegar and honey (as required) and drink.

* A tsp lemon juice, mixed with 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp ginger juice, will reduce cough considerably.

* Dry pomegranate skin, break into small pieces, and chew these now and then to reduce coughing Spasms.

* Keep a large black cardamom in the mouth, for relief from persistent cough. When it eventually softens, chew and swallow.

* Adding a drop or two of eucalyptus oil to water for steam inhalation, gives excellent relief in common colds.

* Dissolve a 1/2 tsp. of turmeric powder in half a cup of hot sweetened milk and drink for relief from cough and cold. Repeat morning and night for a week.

* A tsp. each of ginger juice and honey to be warmed and taken just before sleeping, to bring relief from severe cough. Repeat every night for a week.

* If you have a severe cough problem, take 5 sultanas in the night and place a black pepper on each sultanas and stir fry on griddle and eat. (Eat for three days and after eating this donâ€™t eat anything else) you will feel better.

About the Author
want to know more?... http://bluebasti.blogspot.com u"ll find it all here!!

How to get rid of flu (I)

2008-01-02T06:51:00.001-08:00

by blogger

Did You Know? There are 200 types of viruses that cause flu and cough. They spread due to the cough and sneeze of the affected person. If you touch the place where there are affected person's viruses present, and then you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with those hands, the other person gets affected.
Change in Weather: Winter is not the only reason for flu but change in weather, less moisture in air, cold breezes in winter and autumn, helps the virus to grow.

Suffering from Flu:Usually children suffer from flu 6-10 times a year, adults 2-4 times a year. Women ranging from the age of 20-30, catch cold more easily as compared to men.

Symptoms and signs of Flu: The first indication for flu and cough is having phlegm and itchy sensation in throat. These indicate that the body is fighting against the infection. The white blood cells in the body excrete such chemicals in order to stop the increasing number of virus. It is better to do something about nose, throat, chest pain, throat irritation. Many people believe that milk and other dairy products increase the phlegm, although it is not true.

Duration of the diseases: Flu usually lasts for 3 days to 2 weeks.2/4 of the flu patients get better in a week, but dry cough can last for about 2 weeks.

Body Aches If flu and cough leads to body aches, tiredness and weakness, consult your doctor.

Precautions Stay at a distance of at least 3 feet from the affected person, or you might catch it as well.

Influenza While making tea add a little bit of ginger and sugar in it and use it twice a day. Itâ€™s good prevention against influenza.

Sore Throat Take seven almond pulp and seven black peppers and grind in little water. Add a tsp of sugar and eat. Your voice will be ok.

To get rid of Cough and Flu: Wash and dry fennel and stir fry till it is half cooked. Eat twice a day you will get rid of flu and cough.

Or If you have a severe cough problem, take 5 sultanas, place a black pepper on each sultanas and stir fry on griddle and eat at night for three days consecutively you will feel better. (It is important that you don't eat or drink anything after this)

Or For continuous cough, fry raw guavas on direct heat, apply salt and eat. It will relieve some pain

Eat a Balanced Diet A lot of people think that the cure for flu and cough is hidden in the everyday meal like fruits, vegetables, garlic, vinegar and black pepper. It also strengthens the immune system.

Take lot of Vitamin C Vitamin C, sunlight and sharp onion's smell is a good cure for cough and flu,

Uses of Onion Cut onion and massage your sole with it; it helps in controlling cough and flu.

Chicken Soup Since the ancient times it is a popular belief that chicken soup is good for prevention of flu, cough and cold. It also helps in nose and throat irritation. This helps the white blood cells to fight and eliminate the diseases. Modern researches have proven that chicken stock/soup has extra nutrients that helps the white blood cells grow and become stronger.

Prevention is better then cure Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands, many people ignore this regular advice. If you are suffering from flu, cough or cold, rest as much as you can, take liquids but avoid caffeine.

Gargle with Salt Water Use a medicine that helps throat and nose and reduces the cough also. To gargle with salt water is good for your throat; in the same way for dry nose petroleum jelly is the best.

Winter flu doubles the risk of heart attacks and stroke

2007-12-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

Scientists in Britain say a dose of winter infections such flu can double the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

An extensive study by scientists from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine's Medical Statistics Unit has revealed that the risk did not depend on age or gender and victims are twice as likely to be affected in the week after catching a respiratory infection.

For the comprehensive study the scientists examined two million patients registered with approximately 500 GPs and found the increased risks associated with flu were a 'substantial public health problem' that kills thousands of people every year.

The research has prompted renewed calls from experts and campaigners for all those with heart disease to have the flu jab in order to minimise their risk.

The GP database was used to identify all cases of a first-time diagnosis of MI or stroke and it was found of the 300,000 people who suffer heart attacks in Britain each year, 117,000 of them are fatal and more than 130,000 people in England and Wales suffer a stroke each year.

The scientists believe that infections such as flu dislodges fatty deposits that build up in the arteries, leaving them free to move around the body and clog up the brain or heart where they block the blood flow.

Around 23,000 more people die in winter than in summer and of the two million people whose GP records were studied, 11,000 had suffered a heart attack and were twice as likely to have been diagnosed with flu or a respiratory infection in the previous month.

The 9,000 who had suffered a stroke were twice as likely to have been diagnosed with a respiratory infection in the past three days.

The researchers say the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke tailed off with time, and by three months after being diagnosed with flu there was only a 'slightly increased risk' of either complaint.

Professor Tom Meade and Dr. Tim Clayton, co-authors of the study, say heart attacks and strokes brought on by flu could account for several thousand of winter deaths and vaccinating against respiratory complaints could have a significant effect on lowering the numbers of victims.

The winter flu season usually begins in December or January and last for two months; free vaccinations are available for over-65s and patients with certain illnesses such as asthma.

Britain has not had a flu epidemic for a number of years and experts say one is due; they say influenza is a serious infection, particularly in patients with heart disease and they recommend anyone with heart disease have the flu jab.

The research was funded by the British Heart Foundation and is published in the journal Heart.

Influenza

2007-12-24T23:13:00.000-08:00

By Kristy Haugen

Influenza is a respiratory tract infection involving the upper airways and lungs. Many refer to influenza as the “flu”. Influenza is highly contagious transmitted by saliva and airborne droplets expelled by coughing and sneezing. The incubation is very short ranging from one to three days. Common symptoms of influenza are fever, chills, muscle aches and pains, dry cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, malaise, fatigue, sneezing, sweating, and irritated eyes.

The influenza virus is an RNA virus that belongs to the orthomyxoviridae family. Three genera of the influenza virus currently exist. Each influenza virus is identified by the antigenic differences in their nucleoprotein and matrix protein.

The influenza B and C viruses infect only humans. Populations tend to have more resistance to these two viruses. This is because influenza B and C only undergo a type of evolution referred to as antigenic drift. RNA replication in these viruses is frequently error prone and leads to many point mutations. These point mutations lead to very little change in the new viral strain. Influenza B and C viruses cause relatively mild and limited disease epidemics. The influenza A virus infects mammals and birds (avian influenza). This virus is more likely to cause a pandemic (world wide epidemic). Influenza A is a recombinant virus, meaning an interchange of gene segments if two different viruses infect the same cell. This type of evolution is referred to antigenic shift. Avian and human strains recombining in pigs in the Far East may permit the virulent human strains to evolve. Common antigenic variants include H1N1, and H3N2.

Influenza A can be further classified by the surface proteins. Sixteen subtypes of the viral surface protein hemagglutinin (HA or H) currently exist. Nine subtypes of the viral surface protein neuraminidase (NA or N) exist. These surface proteins are essential for the virus’ life cycle.

The flu season reaches a peak prevalence in winter. The Northern and Southern hemispheres have winter at different times, meaning that there is actually two flu seasons annually. Two different vaccinations are made for the different flu seasons each year. The Northern Hemisphere flu season peaks in January or February. The Southern Hemisphere flu season peaks in October.

Influenza vaccines are developed each based off the predominant strains in the Southern Hemisphere. The vaccine contains an inactivated (killed) virus. Protection provided by the vaccine depends on effectiveness of the strain used to make the vaccine.

Vaccinations typically begin in October. Those that are susceptible to illness such as the elderly (65 years and older), young children (under 5 years of age), and immunocompromised patients are encouraged to be vaccinated. Young children are likely to get complications from the flu such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections.

Anyone who has an allergy to eggs should not be vaccinated. Allergy to the vaccine is due to small amounts of egg protein that remain in the vaccine after purification. This is considered to be a rare side effect. Many complain of injection site soreness up to two days after vaccination. This is temporary and should go away. Typical side effects include fever, malaise, muscle aches occurring 6-12 hours after vaccination.

There are currently medications used to treat influenza. Amantadine and rimantadine are medications used to treat influenza A only. Neuraminidase inhibitors such as Tamiflu and Relenza block the normal function of the viral surface protein neuraminidase. These medications can be used to treat influenza A and B. Resistance to adamantine derivatives (amantadine, rimantadine) is seen in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea due to availability in over-the-counter remedies.

The avian flu naturally infects aquatic birds. However, pandemics occur when the avian adapted virus infects porcine (pigs). This virus will then recombine to form a genetically new virus. The genetically new virus infects humans that are in close contact with the infected porcine. The flu is then transmitted from person to person, beginning an epidemic.

In 1997 the avian flu (H5N1) originating from chickens in Hong Kong, killed 6 of 18 infected. This strain was not readily transmissible from human to human. However, this strain resurfaced in 2004 in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. This virus remains avian adapted and cannot be transmitted from person to person. A vaccine cannot be made until this virus has recombined into a human adapted form.

Elderberry extract is a trademarked over-the-counter remedy to shorten the duration of an influenza episode. This will not prevent the illness if taken before hand. Only vaccination can help to prevent influenza infections.

Influence is on the minds of many and rightfully so. The avian flu will pose a threat to the world's population if predictions are correct. Maintaining good health is essential during the flu season. One way to do that is take a good vitamin supplement.

Copyright 2005 Kristy Haugen

Kristy is a mother and experienced nurse. She has a Bachelor in Biology and Chemistry and writes to inform individuals interested in health information.

Flu Medications Comparison (II)

2007-12-15T23:17:00.000-08:00

By Yury Bayarski

Dosage forms

Amantadine and Rimantadine are taken orally in pill form.
Tamiflu, the first neuraminidase inhibitor in pill form. It is also available as liquid suspension for children.
Zanamivir is administered by inhalation. Zanamivir can be inhaled using a device known as a Diskhaler.

Age

Zanamivir is used for people age 7 and older.
Oseltamivir is used to treat flu in people age 1 and older; to prevent flu in adults and children age 13 and older.
Amantadine is used in adults and in children older than age 1.
Rimantadine is used to prevent and treat type A influenza in adults and children age 1 and older.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects differ widely for each antiviral medication. The neuraminidase inhibitors generally cause fewer side effects than the older flu drugs.

Amantadine: The most common side effects associated with Amantadine relate to the nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of Amantadine. Amantadine may cause light-headedness, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, nervousness, insomnia, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. Elderly patients often have reduced renal function and are better treated with Rimantadine, which is 75% metabolized by the liver.

Rimantadine: CNS effects like light-headedness, dizziness, headache, difficulty concentrating, nervousness, insomnia, loss of balance, and seizures. Side effects occur less often with Rimantadine than Amantadine.

Zanamivir: Some people who have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and use Zanamivir may experience reduced lung function and have difficulty breathing. Other side effects usually do not need medical attention, and may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Oseltamivir: The most frequent side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. These symptoms are mostly mild to moderate and generally occurred within the first two days of administration of the drug.

None of these drugs is recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing. These drugs have not been evaluated in pregnant women.

Cost

Both drugs Amantadine and Rimantadine are available as generic. Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are new medications and are available only as brand name drugs. Therefore, of the four antiviral flu medications, Zanamivir and Oseltamivir are the most expensive.

Conclusions

Amantadine and Rimantadine are of limited use today due to side effects and the rapid appearance of resistant virus that can be spread to close contacts. Furthermore, Amantadine is associated with several drug interactions (with antihistamines or other medications that stimulate the central nervous system) that may increase the risk of side effects such as insomnia, anxiety, and seizures. Also they are only effective against influenza A, a less dangerous form of flu than influenza B.

Oseltamivir and Zanamivir have fewer side effects and may be used as a treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis of both A and B influenza. Additionally, they are better structured to treat and prevent mutating virus strains. Oseltamivir, that has recently become famous as an effective treatment for bird flu, is an orally administered drug and is more convenient to use than the inhaled administrated Zanamivir.

Although influenza viruses A and B have not developed resistance to Zanamivir or Oseltamivir at this time, resistance is possible with increased use of these medications.

Yury Bayarski is the author of Price-RX.com - a prescription drug price comparison website. Please follow this link if you would like to read more about flu prescription drugs

Important Facts About The Flu

2007-12-15T22:41:00.000-08:00

Flu Medications Comparison (I)

2007-12-10T23:16:00.000-08:00

By Yury Bayarski

At present time four drugs in the United States are approved by the FDA for the treatment and prevention of flu:

Neuraminidase inhibitors: Oseltamivir (brand name: Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (brand name: Relenza)
Adamantane derivatives: Amantadine (brand name: Symmetrel) and Rimantadine (brand name: Flumadine)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two drugs to both treat and prevent influenza type A - Amantadine in 1976 and Rimantadine in 1993. In 1999, FDA approved two new antiviral medications to fight the flu: Zanamivir (Relenza), the first neuraminidase inhibitor, and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu), the first of a new class of antiviral drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. The antiviral drugs approved for influenza in the United States all are prescription drugs.

Influenza antiviral medications are drugs that suppress the ability of influenza viruses to reproduce. When used correctly, they can reduce the duration of symptoms and some complications from influenza virus infection. When used for treatment within the first 2 days of illness, all 4 antiviral medications are similarly effective in reducing by 1 or 2 days the duration of illness caused by influenza A viruses, and make you less contagious to others. Only Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are effective against influenza B viruses, though they do not cure influenza outright.

Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are preferred for treatment in part because influenza viruses are more likely to develop resistance to Amantadine and Rimantadine. The 4 influenza antiviral drugs are effective only against influenza viruses. They will not help reduce symptoms associated with the common cold.

All of the antiviral drugs are different in terms of who can take them, approved uses, approved ages, how they are given, any dosing changes based on age or medical conditions, side effects and costs.

Mechanism of Action

The surfaces of influenza viruses are dotted with neuraminidase proteins. Neuraminidase inhibitors block the enzyme's activity and prevent new virus particles from being released, thereby limiting the spread of infection. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device called a Diskhaler. This inhaler device delivers the medicine to the lungs, where the influenza virus multiplies. Oseltamivir is taken as a pill. Zanamivir and Oseltamivir help prevent influenza A and influenza B viruses from multiplying in the body by interfering with the production and release of virus from cells that line the respiratory tract. This may slow the spread of the infection within the airways and lungs.

Amantadine and Rimantadine: inhibit entry and uncoating of influenza A virus. These drugs block penetration and uncoating of the virus by preventing acidification of the endosome and thus the pH-dependent activation of the fusion activity of the virus hemagglutinin by interfering with the function of the M2 protein of Influenza A virus. Both agents are active against some influenza A virus strains (H1N1, H2N2, H3N2), but are inactive against influenza B (influenza B does not possess a M2 protein).

Medical Uses

To treat flu: Symmetrel (Amantadine), Flumadine (Rimantadine), Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), Relenza (Zanamivir).

To prevent flu: Symmetrel (Amantadine), Flumadine (Rimantadine), Tamiflu (Oseltamivir). Zanamivir is not currently approved for preventive use.

Used against influenza type A: Symmetrel (Amantadine), Flumadine (Rimantadine), Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), Relenza (Zanamivir).

Used against influenza type B: Tamiflu (Oseltamivir), Relenza (Zanamivir).

Respiratory Infections in Winter Associated With High Heart Attack Risk

2007-12-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

Researchers at London School of Hygiene have revealed that respiratory infections can double the risk of heart attacks and strokes in winters

It has been found that there is a sturdy increase in the number of deaths from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke during the winter months.

The study led by Tim Clayton and Tom Meade of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine's Medical Statistics Unit suggests that the benefit of reducing respiratory infection, either through ensuring high immunisation rates or by treating and preventing infection, may be substantial.

Clayton said that the data provides a strong evidence for a linking the infection with heart problems.

"These data add to the growing body of evidence linking respiratory infection with subsequent risk of cardiovascular events. However, the absolute risk of such an event to an individual with respiratory infection remains low," said Clayton.

Dr. Mike Knapton, Director of Prevention and Care at the British Heart Foundation who funded the research also said that influenza could cause heart attacks.

"We recommend that anyone with heart disease has the flu jab. Influenza is a serious infection, particularly in patients with heart disease such as heart failure, and it could even trigger a heart attack," said Knapton.

"Flu is a potential killer and heart patients are offered the flu jab for free, no matter what their age."

"We strongly recommend they take up the offer to give themselves protection against the flu," he added.

The research is published in the online edition of the European Heart Journal.

About Common Cold and Influenza - What is the Difference (I)

2007-12-02T23:09:00.000-08:00

By Knut Holt

Both common cold and flu give symptoms from the ear, nose and throat, fever and symptoms from the rest of the body, and the symptoms of both diseases can vary between mild and very bad. By common cold, the symptoms from the windpipe come first and remain as the main symptoms.

By flu fever, pain in the rest of the body, nausea, feeling of weakness and other general symptoms are predominant. Symptoms from the windpipe are usually milder, but can gradually get somewhat worse. The symptoms from the windpipe may sometimes nearly lack.

THE CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF COMMON COLD

The common cold is caused by a large variety of viruses, which mutate quite frequently during reproduction, resulting in constantly changing virus strains.

Common cold is generally transmitted when drops coming out when a person sneezes or coughs get airborne and then are inhaled by another person. Transmission by direct contact with a sick person is also frequent. Between one-third and one-half of all people exposed to cold viruses become infected and develop symptoms after 1–2 days.

The symptoms from the windpipe are the strongest by common cold:
- The throat feels sore, and a sore throat is often the starting symptom.
- There will then be increased secretions of mucus form the nose, resulting in running nose and dryer secretions building up in the nose.
- The throat will also secrete more mucus, resulting in a wheezing sound, and possibly building up of dryer secretions also here.
- There will be swelling in the nose and throat.
- Cough and sneezing are important symptoms of common cold. These reactions are stimulated by the building up of secretions and of the swelling in the windpipe.

There may also be mild symptoms from the rest of the body.
- Mild to severe headache is common.
- A mild fever may occur.
- Some persons experience a little neck stiffness and pain in the neck when trying to flex it, but this symptom must not be great. If this symptom is great, it can be a sign of meningitis, a very serious disease.

THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF COMMON COLD

Staying away from people being sick and strict washing habits can prevent the transmission of common cold, but it is difficult to carry through a strict enough regime of this sort in a populated society.

Because of the frequent variations of viruses causing common cold, successful immunization has not been developed.

The immune system of the body usually manages to beat down the infection within some days. By common cold one shall hold an activity level that is felt comfortable. It is not necessary to strictly restrict the daily activities level.

High doses of vitamin C have been proven to help prevent cold and get rid of the cold faster, but the doses that must be used are impractically high if vitamin C is used alone. However, a combination of lower doses of vitamin C with other natural substances may be useful.

Common treatments of cold have the aim of relieving symptoms and of strengthening the immune system so that it can beat the infection better. Pain killers such as aspirin and paracetamol relieve the pain by common cold effectively, and are the most common treatment for this disease. However, both drugs can give adverse reactions if they are used in greater amounts than recommended and even recommended doses can sometimes give dangerous effects.

Aspirin can cause internal bleeding and both aspirin and paracetamol can cause liver damage. For children and teens it is advised to use paracetamol, because the liver damage caused when young people take aspirin can be very severe. The drugs should therefore be used with caution and not in a too long period.

Drugs to loosen mucus, to decrease swelling, to decrease mucus production or to suppress the cough reflex can be effective to relieve symptoms. These drugs are often made to mainly loose mucus or mainly suppress exaggerated cough, but these two effects can be blended in the same drug. These drugs may be liquid, be prepared as nasal spray or as tablets to suck on. To choose the right drug for your child or yourself, you must examine to find out what are the main symptoms: Mucus production, whether the mucus is loose or hard, swelling or exaggerated cough.

Steam inhaling is a traditional treatment long used in many countries. The treatment can help loose the mucus so that the windpipe more easily is cleared by cough. The treatment may also to some extend destroy the virus.

The drug Pleconaril is ment to attack the viruses causing the majority of common colds, picornaviruses. The drug has been developed by ViroPharma Incorporated and Schering. The drug is available in oral form and inter-nasal formulations are being developed, but the efficacy of the drug is not clearly established and the drug is not yet approved for general use.

Interferons are used nasally in Eastern Europe to treat common cold. Interfeons are natural proteins than regulate the function of the immune system.

There exist herbal and mineral supplements on the marked that may strengthen the immune system and thus prevent cold from occurring, ameliorate the cold if it still occurs, and help the body to fight down the disease faster. These supplements often contain extracts of Echinacea Angustifolia. Treatment with this herb should not exceed two weeks.

How is Influenza Transmitted? And Other Frequently Asked Questions About the Flu

2007-11-30T23:03:00.000-08:00

By Patsy Hamilton

As the cold and flu season approaches in the northern hemisphere, people have many questions about the bugs, including “how is influenza transmitted” and questions about how influenza vaccine works to help prevent outbreaks of the flu. The peak of the flu season in the United States is from December to March. Vaccinations for seasonal flu usually begin in the fall. Here we provide the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the flu and the flu shot.

How is influenza transmitted?

It is believed that the common strains of influenza are transmitted from one person to another by coughing and sneezing. When an infected person coughs or sneezes (and does not cover his/her mouth) the viruses fly into the air along with mucus, saliva and other secretions. It takes a while for these microscopic particles to settle, so for several minutes, they are airborne. Another person can become infected by inhaling the airborne particles or touching a surface that has been contaminated with them. When the particles are airborne, it is difficult to avoid them without wearing a surgical mask or other device that filters out the viruses. Avoiding becoming infected by touching contaminated surfaces is easily avoidable by washing the hands before touching the face, mouth, nose or eyes. The virus must enter the respiratory system, before an infection can occur. Influenza viruses cannot enter the body through the skin.

Do animals get the flu?

Yes, but the influenza viruses that affect birds and other animals are different from those that infect humans.

How is influenza transmitted from animals to humans?

Usually, the viruses that infect animals and birds do not infect humans, but in some cases, as with the strain that is currently circulating in Asia and commonly referred to as “bird flu”, it does happen. The majority of the cases of human infection with bird flu have resulted from handling sick or dead birds or contact with feces and other excrements of sick birds. Rarely is the disease believed to have been transmitted by human to human contact and only among close family members, who lived in the same house with a sick person, who was originally infected by handling or caring for sick poultry.

How does the flu shot work?

Questions about how influenza vaccine works can only be adequately answered if you first understand a little bit about the function of the human immune system. The immune system is divided into functions that are considered to be innate and those that are considered to be acquired. You are born with innate immunities. Acquired immunities are those that, as the name implies, we acquire over time by being exposed to different viruses and other microbes that can cause infection. How influenza vaccine works is by allowing cells of the immune system to identify the virus, without actually becoming infected with the virus. This is a very simplified explanation, but we hope that it helps answer your questions.

For more information about how is influenza transmitted and how to boost your immune system strength, please visit our website at http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in healthcare and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide.

Influenza- Symptoms and Treatment

2007-11-26T23:32:00.000-08:00

By Nilutpal Gogoi

Influenza is a common contagious disease with flu-like symptoms. Influenza is caused by a sphere or filament-shaped virus. The most problematic part of these viruses is that they keep on changing. Such mutated virus strains can adversely affect a person even though that person had immunity to another strain of the influenza virus. And the situations worsens if separate strains combine. Such a combination can be really fatal as the newly emerged virus gains in its immunity against the extant vaccines.

A person becomes rather weak during the bouts of influenza. The patient’s immune system also fails to operate naturally. As a result, influenza can turn into another life threatening ailment known as pneumonia. In fact, annually approximately 25,000 American citizens die because of influenza or pneumonia. Medical reports have shown that people above the sexagenarian age group have been fatally affected by this twin disease. The virus responsible for causing influenza has been classified into three types, viz., A, B and C. While A affects mankind and animals, B and C targets only human beings. Mentionably, the third type of influenza leads to only to mild infection.

The latest panacea for influenza known as the 2004 Influenza Vaccine fights is composed of one strain of B and two strains of A. Influenza can attack anyone at anytime. However, people are particularly susceptible to influenza during the changes of seasons. During influenza, the main affected area is the respiratory channel. When the weather turns cold from hot or vice versa, many people irrespective of colds do fall prey to influenza. The disease can easily flow from one person to another. The primary routes for its transmission are sneezing and coughing. Influenza can also spread if one uses the clothes particularly the hanky or the towel used by an influenza affected person.

Influenza is accompanied by clogged nose, headache, or at times running nose, temporary pain of joints and running body temperature. Mentionably, influenza and its symptoms disappear within three to four days whether one takes medicines or not. However, influenza can also be a silent stalker. Under such circumstances, it is always advisable to try and cure influenza naturally. If the symptoms continue for a longer period and show little signs of disappearing, do consult a doctor.

The best way to cure influenza is to go for hot foot baths, and gargle if one suffers from sore throat. Many people take a tea spoonful of raw and unadulterated mustard oil to get back the normal voice. If one experiences mild fever, one can simply take the precaution of not bathing in cold water. Keep the body and the feet warm. Using cold ointments on the back side of the body, armpits, feet and on the chest besides around the nostrils also provide relief by means of the strong evaporation of those ointments.

It has also been found that homeopathic treatment is the most ideal strategy to cure influenza. This is especially true with children. Homoeopathic medicines can also be taken by the adults. The homoeopathic treatments give the best results in cases of adults who are teetotalers. Nonetheless, these medicines are cheaper than the allopathic ones. Besides, the homoeopathic medications do have any side effects although they take some time to deliver the goods.

Bird influenza: Nowadays, influenza has taken another deadly form. It is commonly known as the avian influenza as the virus gets transmitted to human beings from birds including poultry( hen, duck, turkey). The cause of this type of influenza has medically proved to be the H5N1 virus. Intensive researches are on to find a viable vaccine for avian influenza. The H5N1 virus has been found to be affecting people mainly in Europe and Asia.

In most of such cases, avian influenza spreads from the avian species to one person. To obviate any possibility of the H5N1 virus spreading to man, one must stay from making any contact with the birds during any avian influenza epidemic.

Symptoms of bird flu in humans can be similar to those resulting from typical flu-like symptoms, like fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Other severe symptoms are eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases, and other severe and life-threatening complications.

Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published one popular adventure book for children and has published more than 1000 articles for various sites, as such http://www.publichealthclub.com/

A Word about the Influenza Virus: Symptoms, Complications and Prevention

2007-11-25T23:35:00.000-08:00

By Patsy Hamilton

There is more than just one influenza virus. There are actually a number of different influenza viruses and they all have the ability to mutate or change. Sometimes they change slowly over time (this is referred to as drift), but sometimes they change suddenly (this is referred to as shift). The symptoms of influenza are usually more severe when a virus has made a sudden shift. Experts say that these shifts occur about every ten years and are the major causes of pandemics or world-wide epidemics.

When creating the annual flu shot vaccine, scientists evaluate the different viruses in circulation and select an influenza virus or two or three that are likely to cause people the most severe illnesses. An inactivated form of the selected viruses, or in the case of the nasal spray a weakened live virus, are used for that years vaccine. Because the viruses change slightly every year, in order to have full immunity from them, those who are at greatest risk of exposure or complications are advised to take the vaccine every year. Minor symptoms of influenza often follow a flu shot and taking the vaccine does not guarantee that a person will not become infected with an influenza virus different from the ones included in that years vaccine. Some controversy surrounds the idea that everyone should get a flu shot every year, but the Center for Disease Control and Prevention still advises that it is the best known way to protect yourself from the flu.

The symptoms of influenza usually come on suddenly and begin with a fever that can reach 106 degrees farenheit. Headache, body aches, chills and pain when you move your eyes typically accompany the fever. Days later as these symptoms improve, you may have a cough, runny nose or sore throat. It is not uncommon for adults to have relatively high fevers for three or four days, but infants and children may need medical attention for any high fevers. When in doubt, call the doctor.

The influenza virus does not cause symptoms in all people and does not affect all people the same way. It is believed that those with a weaker immune system are likely to have more severe symptoms, than those who are in better health or have a stronger immune system. The biggest threat posed by the influenza virus is the risk of developing complications, particularly pneumonia. Pneumonia can be a real problem for the elderly, the very young and anyone who has chronic health problems.

It is important to remember that the symptoms of influenza are similar to other diseases, some minor, like the common cold and some more serious like mononucleosis and even meningitis. When an influenza virus leads to a bacterial infection, antibiotics are usually effective, but a common case of the flu will not respond to antibiotics. These drugs kill bacteria, but not viruses. If your symptoms seem to get better and then worse again, if you have a stiff neck or severe headache, you need to contact your doctor.

It is important to watch for symptoms of Reye's syndrome in children. This can be a life threatening condition. It is rare, but when it does occur it usually follows an infection with the influenza virus, chicken pox or another viral infection. If drowsiness and confusion develop three to seven days after the symptoms of influenza began, then medical attention is needed. Aspirin is believed to increase the risk of developing Reye's syndrome and should not be given to children with cold, symptoms of influenza or other viral infections.

To learn about a natural product that can be taken safely by adults and older children to reduce the duration of the symptoms of influenza and as a maintenance supplement to reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with an influenza virus, visit the Immune System Booster Guide.

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experienc in healthcare and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide. Visit us at http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Britain plans flu shots for everyone

2007-11-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

The British government unveiled plans Thursday to provide vaccinations for the entire population in the advent of a flu pandemic.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said a flu pandemic was "one of the most severe risks" facing the country, telling lawmakers that he had signed an agreement to secure the delivery of enough pandemic flu vaccines to cover every citizen.

Experts will formulate the vaccination once the strain of the virus has been identified. Officials said it was impossible to predict when the next pandemic would strike and what form it would take.

The last global flu pandemic — Hong Kong flu — struck in 1968, leading to approximately 1 million deaths worldwide and 80,000 in Britain, said a Department of Health spokeswoman, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with department policy.

"We don't believe an influenza is imminent," the spokeswoman said.

The World Health Organization recently praised Britain for its preparedness to tackle a global flu outbreak.

National Influenza Vaccination Week

2007-11-23T01:44:00.000-08:00

Florida Department of Health recognizes November 27 as Children's Flu Vaccination Day and reminds Floridians that the week after Thanksgiving, November 26 to December 2, is National Influenza Vaccination Week.

This year’s theme, “Protect Yourself and the Ones You Love Against the FLU. Get Vaccinated!”, highlights the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination throughout the winter months and beyond. “Receiving influenza vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu,” Charles H. Alexander, Bureau Chief of Immunizations said. “Because children make up more than 25 percent of Florida’s population, we can protect our most precious resource by ensuring all eligible children receive flu vaccine.”

Parents and caregivers can contribute to the safety and well-being of children by vaccinating children, especially high-risk youth, and vaccinating the close contacts of children. Each year, over 20,000 children under age five are hospitalized from influenza. Children under age two are as likely to be hospitalized as adults who are 65 or older.

Top 3 reasons to get flu vaccine:

* Prevent influenza-related death

* Prevent severe illness

* Protect other people

In the U.S., influenza results in approximately 200,000 hospitalizations each year. Annually, over 36,000 people in the U.S. die from the flu, and most are age 65 or older. More people die from flu than from any other vaccine-preventable disease.

Flu (Influenza) Definition & Natural Remedies

2007-11-22T23:37:00.000-08:00

By Peter Salazar

Definition and description of Flu: Flu is referred to as Influenza in medical terminology. Flu is a highly contagious and acute respiratory tract infection that normally occurs in winter season. Generally, flu appears in form of epidemic. Though flu can affect people of all ages, children are affected more. Immuno-suppressed people, young children and people with chronic diseases experience the high severity of flu. Pneumonia (viral pneumonia or bacterial infection) is most common complication produced by flu. Other complications include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, myositis, myocarditis, Reye’s syndrome, encephalitis and pericarditis.

Causes of Flu: Flu is resulted from various strains of influenza virus. These viruses can mutate into various forms. You can get infected with flu by inhaling respiratory droplet from a person infected with flu or through indirect contact like using contaminated glass.

Signs and Symptoms of Flu: The main symptoms of flu include weakness, muscle aches, fatigue, fever, headaches and sneezing. Runny nose may be observed in some cases. Usually, symptoms of flu are mild in nature and do not lead to any serious health complications. However if you experience one of the following condition you must consult your health care provider.

If you have fever (above 102 F) for more than three days

If heavy mucus is released after coughing

If you face breathing difficulty

If you have flu like symptoms for considerably longer duration

Prevention of Flu: You may get protected from flu though immunization. There are certain vaccinations available for prevention of flu. There are certain side effects like appearance of mild flu like symptoms, inflammation at the injection site etc attached to the influenza vaccine. People with weak resistance must avoid crowded places like shopping centers, markets, theaters etc, especially during onset of flu epidemic.

Treatment of Flu: There are no specific treatments for flu. Generally medications known for their ‘anti-flu’ characteristic are prescribed. Bed rest and increase in fluid intake can help you in achieving relief from flu. Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are used for relieving muscle pains and headaches. Apart from the medications certain alternate therapies like homeopathy and herbal medicines may provide significant results. Use of natural supplements like colloidal silver, colloidal gold etc may help in prevention of flu as these colloidal are known for their property of killing bacteria, viruses and other micro organisms responsible for infections.

Peter Salazar's source for quality supplements is http://www.utopiasilver.com

Influenza - Its Symptoms and Causes

2007-11-21T23:28:00.000-08:00

By David Chandler

Influenza better known as the "flu" is an infection of the respiratory tract that can affect millions of people. The influenza virus can be spread from person to person through coughing and sneezing of an infected individual.

Statistics show about 20,000 Americans die from influenza or influenza related pneumonia each year. Pneumonia and influenza are the sixth common cause of death in the United States. Elderly (65+) make up more than 90% of the 20,000 Americans who die from this illness each year.

A person may contract the influenza virus and not experience any symptoms for a few days. The incubation period for the influenza virus ranges from 1-4 days.

Is there more than one type of Influenza virus?

What is influenza?

There are three different kinds of Influenza viruses: Influenza A, Influenza B, and Influenza C. Influenza A can attack animals and humans, the remaining two (Influenza B and Influenza C) can only attack humans. Influenza C causes a very mild infection and does not provoke epidemics.

When observed through an electron microscope, influenza viruses are figured like filaments or spheres. Immunity to one strain of the influenza virus will not protect you against newly born strains of the virus, which has undergone minor changes or mutations.

The Influenza B and Influenza C virus may infect only human beings while Influenza A may infect several different types of animals. Influenza A virus can sicken many various types of animals, including humans, aquatic mammals, birds, horses, swine, and others.

At times when two different strains of viruses combine in humans or animals, they result in a new unique strain of virus with more immunity. The modern 2004 Influenza Vaccine is made of three strains, which include two strains of influenza A and one strain of influenza B.

For more information, visit http://www.FluInfoCenter.com