Now a day all over the world people are suffering from swine flu so this disease is declared as a pandemic disease. This flu can preventable and successfully treatable by homeopathy medicine. The 2009 flu outbreak in humans is due to a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 that derives in part from human influenza, avian influenza, and two separate strains of swine influenza. The origins of this new strain are unknown. It passes with apparent ease from human to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation. The strain in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected person makes a full recovery without requiring medical attention and without the use of antiviral medicines.

What is H1N1 (swine) flu?

H1N1 (referred to as 'swine flu' early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have also reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas.

In the beginning it was difficult to predict the effect of this virus on general population. In seasonal flu, there are certain people who are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. This includes people with 65 years of more age, children below five years, pregnant women, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions.

This virus is contagious but, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people. The symptoms of H1N1 swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with H1N1 swine flu. Severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and even deaths have been reported with H1N1 swine flu infection. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic diseases.

Homeopaths are singularly confident about treating viral illness, including flu. There is a long history of successful management of serious acute infections with homeopathy, particularly the flu. Homeopathic medicine proved extremely effective in the management of the 1918 flu epidemic, and it will prove itself in any future flu pandemic, just as it does every winter in the treatment of that year's flu cases. The Spanish flu pandemic was a plague that exceeded the ravages of the Bubonic Plague of 1347 that killed a third of the European population. Worldwide the Spanish flu killed an estimated 40 million people. In some primitive cultures the death rate was 100 percent.

 Fortunately, many patients in the United States had access to homeopathic medical care. A report to the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1921 documented the dramatic success of homeopathy in the worst flu pandemic in history. The death rate of 24,000 flu cases under conventional medical care in that study was 28.2 percent, while the death rate of 26,000 cases treated with homeopathy was a nearly miraculous 1.05 percent. Similarly, many homeopathic physicians each reported treating thousands of patients with very few deaths.

1The most significant flu pandemic occurred in 1918/1919. The global mortality rate from the 1918/1919 pandemic is not known, but is estimated at 2.5 to 5% of those who were infected died. With 20% or more of the world population suffering from the disease to some extent, a case-fatality ratio this high would mean that about 0.5-1% or 50 million to 100 million people worldwide were killed. In 1957, an Asian flu pandemic infected some 45 million Americans and killed 70,000. Eleven years later, lasting from 1968 to 1969, the Hong Kong flu pandemic afflicted 50 million Americans and caused 33,000 deaths, costing approximately $3.9 billion. In 1976, about 500 soldiers became infected with swine flu over a period of a few weeks.

Signs and Symptoms:

* Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness, sneezing, coughing
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Coughing, Diarrhea, Fever, Headache, Lack of appetite, Lethargy

Muscle aches, Nausea, Runny nose, Sore throat, Vomiting

Complications of Swine Flu as seen by Homeopathy:

* Pneumonia

* Bronchitis

* Sinus infections

* Ear infections

children, emergency warning signs  and symptoms :            
* Bluish or gray skin colour
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Severe or persistent vomiting
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Which of these swine flu medicines to take with Homeopathy?

If the patient has mild flu like symptoms (runny nose and watery eyes etc) but no other peculiar symptom but is anxious if it might be swine flu - think about  Aconitum napellus: This remedy is used for symptoms that come on very quickly and strongly especially at night along with fever and thirst alternating with chills.

If the flu patient is listless, prostrated, indifferent, has offensive diarrhoea and the parts rested upon feel sore and bruised - think about  Baptisia. Influenza with marked gastro-intestinal symptoms may need this remedy, especially when there are present putrid diarrhea stools.

Homeopathy swine Flu Prevention

For at least the past 125 years homeopathic practitioners have used the medicine Influenzinum as a flu preventive. Influenzinum is a homeopathic medicine made from flu viruses. A proprietary preparation is produced each year using the flu virus strains recommended by the World Health Organization for the year's vaccine production. The typical dosage is once per week for four weeks beginning in October or later, followed by another dose three weeks later.

Between the years 1918 and 1957 the preparation of Influenzinum was derived from samples of blood or nasal secretions taken from patients who contracted the flu during the deadly 1918 flu pandemic. Subsequent to 1957 Influenzinum preparations come from a homeopathic preparation of the yearly flu viruses chosen for the flu vaccine.

Homeopathic Flu Medicines, Natural Remedies for the Swine flu:

The two most frequently indicated homeopathic flu medicines over the past 100 years have been Gelsemium and Bryonia. There are significant differences in the symptom pictures of these two medicines that make it easy to decide which is the better fit. They are not the only medicines used to treat the flu, but between them they will probably fit the majority of cases.

SWINE FLU Homeopathy remedies:

Arsenicum album: For exhaustion and chills as well as restlessness and anxiety, watery runny nose, frequent sneezing and dry cough. The head feels very warm while the body is chilled

Allium cepa. Profuse catarrhal coryza; the nose runs freely, there is sneezing, irritability cough, for when the eyes water and sting, along with frequent

Apis mellifica: For fever which alternates between sweating and dry periods, flushing of the face, sore throat and swollen tonsils in conjunction with low thirst, pain in the ears and swollen eyelids.

Antimonium tart: For late night feelings of suffocation, mucous rattling in the lungs, strong frequent cough.

Baryta carbonica: For runny nose, swollen lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids and lips.

Belladonna: For sudden and strong symptoms which can include fever, hot skin, flushed face and hypersensitivity to light as well as an inflamed sore throat, strong migraine, frequent cough and feeling of cold to the extremities.

Bryonia: For muscle aches, headache, frequent strong cough, stomach pains and a dry mouth with constant thirst.

The trouble here is largely bronchial and going down. When a person is very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, this remedy is likely to be useful. Headache, muscles, aches, and cough or stomach pain may be the major symptoms. Everything feels worse from even the slightest motion. The person’s mouth usually is dry, with a thirst for long cold drinks.

Carbo veg: For throat roughness and rawness accompained by pain, hoarseness, evening cough and mucous.

Causticum: For cough at night or caused by stooping and accompanied by hip pain, painful throat, rattling in the chest, feeling of lack of air when talking or walking.

Chamomilla: For tightness of breath, dry cough at night, wheezing and rattling in the chest, hoarseness and raw throat.

Dulcamara: For nasal congestion and facial pain especially if the individual has a history of allergies.This is one of our best remedies in the acute form; the eyes are suffused, the throat is sore and the cough hurts because of the muscular soreness. If brought on by damp, cold changes in the weather, so much the surer is Dulcamara indicated. 

Euphrasia: For inflamed teary eyes, bouts of sneezing, cough from phlegm collecting in the throat and clear nasal discharge.

Ferrum phosphoricum: For reddened cheeks, migraine, tiredness and fever along with frequent dry cough, powerful thirst and vomiting after meals.

Kali bichromicum: For the later stages when it is hard to clear the throat from viscous stringy phlegm, strong coughing, and pain at the base of the nose.

Kali carb: For middle of the night coughing, hoarseness, sharp jabbing pains on the sides of the chest when breathing deeply.

Lycopodium: For forcible cough, especially at night or when breathing deeply, pressure and constriction of the chest.

Mercurius solubilis: For swollen lymph nodes, bad breath, tonsil or ear infection, sensitivity to temperature changes and sweating and drooling at night.

Natrum muriaticum: For migraine, attenuated sense of taste and smell, cold sores around the mouth, chapped or cracked lips and clear nasal mucous.

Nux vomica: For strong chills and nausea, digestive cramping, painful cough and forced breathing along with high fever, hypersensitivity to light, odors and sound.

Oscillococcinum (also called Anas barbariae): This one is generally regarded to be the number one product utilized for homeopathic flu remedies. It is widely used in Continental Europe, especially in France.

Phytolacca: For roughness and inflammation of the throat with dryness and soreness.

Phosphorus: For reddened face, dizzyness, weakness, migraine, sore throat with cough and a strong thirst followed by vomiting.

Pulsatilla: For thick, greenish yellow mucous, congestion and fever especially in the late evening and night.

Rumex: For throat irriation, inability to cough up mucous, pains in the centre of the lung which may be accompanied by rawness and burning.

Sabadilla. Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and lachrymation on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the pain is worse on empty swallowing; the sneezing is excessive, shaking the whole body. Shudderings, with gooseflesh chills creeping upwards, are also prominent symptoms. Frontal headache, dryness of mouth, without thirst and cough, worse on lying down, are additional symptoms. It suits well many cases of the catarrhal form of flu; other remedies having sneezing are Cyclamen and E Sanguinaria nitrate is especially valuable when the trachea and larynx are affected. Phytolacca. Specific when the throat is inflamed and spotty, with great hardness and tenderness of the glands.

Spongia. For hoarseness with a feeling of burning or constriction in the throat, dry, frequent coughing, difficulty, and chest weakness.

Sticta pulmonaria. General confusion of ideas ; inability to concentrate them. Dull sensation in the head, with sharp, darting pains through the vertex, side of face, and lower jaw. Dull, heavy pressure in forehead, and root of nose. Catarrhal headache before the discharge sets in. Burning in eyelids, -with soreness of the ball in closing the lids or turning the eyes.

Sulphur: For long lasting or ongoing symptoms of a searing, hot origin with sweating.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions
Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used

Links : www.drharshadraval.com

Dr Harshad Raval MD[hom]
Honorary consultant homeopathy physician to his Excellency governors of Gujarat India. Qualified MD consultant homeopath ,International Homeopathy adviser, books writer and columnist. Specialist in kidney, cancer, psoriasis, leucoderma and other chronic disease,. www.homeopathyonline.in email : info@homeopathyonline.in

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. The virus currently spreading among people is now generally referred to as swine flu. Swine flu viruses are usually of H1N1 sub-type. The swine flu that has spread to humans is a version of this virus. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans.

Why is swine flu affecting humans?

The swine flu virus has changed and is now able to infect humans and transmit between them. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others.

Symptoms of swine flu are:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

Bluish or gray skin color

Not drinking enough fluids

Severe or persistent vomiting

Not interacting

Irritation

Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Sore throat

Nausea

Diarrhea

Treatment of Swine Flu

Mild influenza illness does not require specific anti viral medicine.

Medicines should be taken only on advice of the doctor.

Paracetamol for fever and ibuprofen for myalgia can be taken as per the advice of the dooctor.

Oseltamivir, if prescribed / advised by the doctor only.

Children need to be given paediatric preparation and dosage of the above drugs.

Medicines (other than paracetamol) available for fever, headache, body ache in general groceries, pan shops etc should not be taken as they may contain aspirin.

Aspirin should not be given for fever or body ache.

Patients should take plenty of fluids.

If fever is not responding, there is worsening of symptoms and in particular altered sensorium (confusion, incoherent speech etc) / loss of consciousness or difficulty in breathing, patient should be referred to nearest identified health facility.

Swine Flu Precaution

Precautions from swine flu for general person

Get a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal influenza.

People at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older should get vaccination.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone

While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them

Reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible

Improve airflow in your living space by opening windows

Practice good health habits including adequate sleep, eating nutritious food, and keeping physically active

Precautions form swine flu for sick person

Keep the sick person in a room separate from the common areas of the house. (For example, a spare bedroom with its own bathroom, if that’s possible.) Keep the sickroom door closed.

Wear mask all the time. Three layered surgical mask should be provided by the hospital / community health worker. If mask is not readily available, mouth and nose should be covered with a piece of cloth / handkerchief / tissue paper.

avoid smoking

The sick person should clean his hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.

Unless necessary, person with the flu should not leave the home when he has a fever or during the time that he is most likely to spread the infection to others

Avoid going into the community, school, office, markets

If person with the flu needs to leave the home (for example, for medical care), he should cover the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing

Have the sick person wear a surgical mask if they need to be in a common area of the house near other persons

If possible, sick persons should use a separate bathroom. This bathroom should be cleaned daily with household disinfectant

Gaurav is an experienced article writer. He had written around 325 articles on variety of health topical subjects. To find out more on swine flu and our health care programs click this URL http://makemehealthy.in/MMH/

Tamiflu is an oral antiviral drug that has been approved by the US FDA for the treatment and prevention of the swine flu virus. The new strain of the virus is resistant to most medicines and a probable cure in the form of a vaccine is yet to be developed. People who are hit by the swine flu virus must start taking Tamiflu after consulting with their doctor. Tamiflu is most effective if the treatment begins within 48 hours of developing the symptoms. People who are exposed to the swine flu virus may also take Tamiflu to prevent being affected.

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 38ºC (100.4ºF) Cough Sore throat Body aches Chills Headache Fatigue Diarrhoea Nausea Vomiting

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.

How does the swine flu virus spread?
Like common influenza, the swine flu virus may spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing by people who are already infected with the influenza virus. Healthy people may become infected by touching surfaces that are contaminated by the flu viruses and then touching their mouth, eyes or nose.

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.

Influenza virus spreads because of a helper chemical on the surface of the virus called neuraminidase. This chemical enables the virus to spread to adjacent cells once it has entered the body. Tamiflu aims at attacking the virus so that it does not spread inside your body. The active ingredient in Tamiflu called oseltamivir binds to the neuraminidase on the surface of the virus particles and prevents it from working. By blocking the neuraminidase, Tamiflu confines the infection to a smaller area and prevents the virus from spreading inside your body. As a result, the symptoms and duration of swine flu are considerably reduced. Tamiflu works best when the treatment is initiated within 2 days of experiencing flu-like symptoms. Tamiflu oseltamivir has been shown to reduce the duration of the illness by approximately 1 day. Most importantly, the medicine helps to reduce the risk of developing flu-related complications, such as chest infections which may become severe and life threatening.

Tamiflu UK

Tamiflu oseltamivir is available to people in the UK who have been infected with the swine flu virus and to those who have been exposed to the virus. Tamiflu UK should only be used after consulting a doctor and after informing the doctor about your medical conditions, allergies and medicines you may be taking. You may also buy Tamiflu online in the UK from online clinics such as Healthexpress.co.uk. The website facilitates free consultation by a specialist doctor through an online consultation form. If the doctor finds Tamiflu suitable for you after reviewing your medical details, you will be sent a prescription for Tamiflu by email. Following this, your Tamiflu pills packet will reach your given address safely and promptly.

Webmaster associated with online clinic 'HealthExpress' this site provides various information on Tamiflu and helps people in curing Influenza, resources are available on site HealthExpress.co.uk.

Prevention of Spread of Swine Flu

Dr.Kedar Karki

In Mexico in April this year, a never-before heard strain of swine flu emerge, turning ill more than a thousand Mexicans and causing the death of 68. Swine flu has spread to other parts of the world such as the US and New Zealand when affected individuals (Mexicans or tourists to Mexico), traveled to those places. Swine flu has spread so far and wide that the World Health Organization fears it will bring about the next pandemic. A June 10, 2009 update by the U.N.'s World Health Organization (WHO) states that 74 countries have officially reported 27,737 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 141 deaths. In India till date 23 cases are being confirmed in city like Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi, and Jallandhar in Punjab. Government of India is now thinking about suspension of air flight to U.S.A as most of confirmed cases in India have been detected from the persons who had recently traveled to U.S cities and had returned from there. WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.

This is not the first time the world is threatened by swine flu. Swine flu, which is also referred to as pigfluenza, hog flu, pig flu, or swine influenza, typically affects pigs only. In 1918, an H1N1 virus caused flu pandemic in humans. Scientists speculated that H1N1 was created either when human influenza virus crossed specie boundary and affected pigs, or the other way around.

In 1930, a study confirmed that influenza virus caused the illnesses of pigs; the viral strain was identified as H1N1. Other past outbreaks in humans include the 1976 US outbreak (number of deaths: 5) and the 1988 Wisconsin outbreak (number of deaths: 1).

2009 Swine Flu Outbreak

.

The strain that caused the swine outbreak in 2009, on the other hand, is different from other types of swine flu viruses before. It infects humans only. Pigs show no sign of infection. As such, scientists are having a difficult time establishing the origins of this new disease. The 2009 swine flu outbreak is caused by a strain that combines a single strain of human flu virus, a single strain of avian or bird flu virus, and two strains of swine flu virus.

Transmission

Swine flu virus in pig is transmitted when uninfected animals touch the nose or dried mucus of the infected pig.

Transmission of swine flu from pigs to humans occurs when a person touches an infected pig such as during animal transport or cleaning of pig pens. Swine flu is not acquired by eating pork.

Transmission of swine flu from human to human occurs when airborne viruses brought about by sneezing and coughing are inhaled by another person. Touching of contaminated surfaces and bringing one’s hand to one’s nose or mouth.

Symptoms

Symptoms of swine flu in humans are non-specific. They are quite similar to other types of influenza such as common flu and bird flu. People infected with swine flu often the following: Fever, chills, coughing and sneezing, sore throat, muscle pain, discomfort, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In pigs, swine influenza virus cause:  fever, lethargy, decrease in appetite, abortion, sneezing, coughing, weight loss, poor growth. Difficulty breathing.

Because swine flu symptoms are non-specific, a laboratory taste of nose or throat swab is needed to confirm viral presence.

How to Prevent Spread of Swine Flu

Among swine: owners should implement facility management and management. Vaccinating the pigs may also help reduce the chances of spreading of the flu.

To prevent transmission of swine flu from pigs to humans, farmers, veterinarians, and other people who come in close contact with live pigs should wear masks and gloves when working with infected pigs.

Here are several steps to prevent the spread of the swine flu virus:

If you have flu symptoms, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the disease. Do not return until two days after your symptoms are gone.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands frequently.

Go to the hospital if you have severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing. If your symptoms are mild, stay home to avoid spreading the virus to others at the hospital.

Masks may be recommended for health care workers, family members and others who come in close contact with swine flu patients, but there is no need for the general public to wear masks.

It is safe to eat properly handled pork. Cook it to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.

At the moment, only Tamiflu and Relenza seem to work against swine flu. Many countries have a supply of these vaccines, though not enough to curb a pandemic if the current swine flu reaches that level.

Senior Vet.Officer,Central Veterinary Laboratory Kathmandu Nepal M.V.St. Preventive Veterinary Mrdicine

How do I know if I have symptoms of Swine Flu? Are the swine flu symptoms of children the same as H1N1 symptoms adults? Let us know the answer to the question 'Do I have symptoms of Swine Flu?'

Swine Flu is a number one health concern the world over. The HI1N1 flu or Swine Flu was first detected in US in April 2009. The worst affected areas initially were Canada and Mexico before swine flu cases began to emerge in other areas of the world. In a short span of four months, the disease has spread to almost all regions in the world. World Health Organization has called H1N1 as pandemic which means a big epidemic that involves the entire country or perhaps the world. Usually, the signs of a pandemic are when a virus without any immunity to stop it, spreads across various parts of the world.

Risk factors of Swine Flu

Swine Flu spreads from person to person in the same way as regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. People with high risk for seasonal flu are also at high risk for Swine Flu. For example, people above 65 years of age, pregnant women, children below 5 years of age and those with chronic medical conditions and lifestyle diseases like diabetes are at high risk of getting swine flu.

Symptoms of Swine Flu

In children, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Rapid Breathing or Difficulty in breathing.
2. Grayish or Bluish Skin Color
3. Dehydration

4. Persistent of severe vomiting
5. Not able to interact properly with people, become irritable
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever

In adults, the symptoms of swine flu include:
1. Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
2. Pain in chest or abdomen
3. Sudden dizziness or loss of energy
4. Severe or continuous vomiting
6. Flu like symptoms, bad cough and fever

The symptoms of H1N1 swine flu is similar to the ones that people get in regular, seasonal flu and so things like fever, sneezing, cough, body ache, head ache, shivering, sore throat and fatigue are common. Diarrhea and vomiting are also symptoms that have been associated with some cases of swine flu.

How do I catch swine flu?

H1N1 Swine Flu is transmitted the same way like seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread usually from person to person through sneezing or coughing by people who have influenza. Some people may become infected with the deadly H1N1 by touching something that has virus on it and then bringing to their nose or mouth

How can someone with swine flu infect it to someone else?

Infected people can actually infect others from the first day itself, even before they themselves get any symptoms. This means there are also chances that one can pass on the symptoms of swine flu even before she or he knows that she or he is sick.

How do I protect myself from swine flu? How can I take precautions against swine flu?

There is no vaccine that can protect you or be prevention against H1N1 Swine Flu. You can only maintain hygiene and take care to prevent spread of germs that can lead to illnesses like influenza. Here are the ways in which you can prevent yourself against swine flu:

1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue in the trash after you sneeze into it.

2. Wash your hands with a liquid handwash like Dettol or Lifebuoy, especially after you cough or sneeze.

3. Do not touch your mouth, eyes or nose. Germs can spread in this manner.

4. Avoid contact with people who are infected with swine flu. This is sad but then the disease is highly infective.

5. If you are sick with influenza, stay at home and do not go to school or work. Limit your contact with people so that they do not get infected.

6. Do not venture into crowded spaces.

7. Increase the airflow in your room by opening the windows for proper ventilation.

8. Sleep well, eat nutritious food and practise healthy habits so that you are physically active and immune to the flu

How long can the Swine Flu virus stay on things like doorknobs and furniture?

According to medical experts, the influenza virus can stay on environmental surfaces and infect people from 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on things like door knobs, books etc. Germs of swine flu can spread when a person touches infected areas or infected people and then touches their eyes, ears, nose or mouth. Cough droplets or sneeze from an infected person can travel through the area. When a person comes in contact with droplets of sneeze of another person or touches things like books or desk of that person that is contaminated with sneeze droplets, and touches his or her own eyes, mouth, nose etc; before washing hands, one can contract H1N1 virus.

What are the medicines and treatment options for H1N1 swine flu?

Taking oseltamivir(Tamiflu) or zanamivir(Relenza) can treat swine flu or H1N1 but they should be taken in the early stages of the disease. Antiviral drugs or prescription medicines can make your immune system strong and keep the flu viruses at bay and stop them from reproducing in your body. So, you should start taking antiviral drugs within two days of getting H1N1 or influenza symptoms.

How do I prevent getting H1N1 (Swine flu) in high risk areas?

If you live in places where people have been infected with H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus or have influenza like symptoms mentioned above, then you should stay home and avoid contact with these people. If you develop flu like symptoms, do not leave things to chance and take instant medical care. Your health care provider or doctor will be able to tell you whether H1N1 flu testing is required.

Does WHO recommend using a MASK?

If you are not sick or if you are not living in high risk areas, it is not required to wear a mask. If a near and dear one is sick with H1N1, you need to wear a mask since you will be in close contact with the ill person. Dispose the mask after contact and wash and clean your hands thoroughly. Using the mask correctly is important because using it incorrectly will spread infection.

How can I differentiate between H1N1 Swine Flu and seasonal flu?

You cannot tell the difference between HI1N1 Swine Flu and Seasonal Flu without a medical verdict on it. Since symptoms for both the diseases are same like cough, headache, sneezing, fever, runny nose etc, only your doctor will be able to say if you have H1N1 virus. In case, your doctor suspects symptoms, they will have your blood sample, nasopharyngeal (nose to mouth) and throat swab to laboratories.

Home remedies for swine flu:

There are no home remedies for swine flu, especially when you have to figure out if it is swine flu or season flu. Swine Flu requires anti-viral drugs because treating it is an emergency issue. However you can prevent the spread of swine flu and strengthen your immune system by doing the following:

Wash your hands properly before having a meal, not just with soap and water. Wear face mask before going outside. If someone is coughing or sneezing near you, cover your nose and mouth with palms or a hanky. Swine flu gets into the body through the mouth and nose. Drink lemon balm tea because it has anti-viral properties. Chew fresh garlic cloves because they have antiviral properties as well. Steam inhalation with chamomile or eucalyptus thrice a day can relieve lung congestion and prevent swine flu symptoms

Know more about Swine Flu treatment and also discuss Swine Flu Precautions