Are You Getting The H1N1 Shot?
November 5, 2009 by Mohamed
Filed under H1N1 H1H1 Human Swine Flu
The H1N1 flu virus has been in the news, a lot. There are many scary stories about people having taken the shot and having reacted badly, and there are many sites out there capitalizing on the H1N1 by “selling” what should be public information or information that is already freely available – aaaah, the capitalist economy.
The fact is that you can find much of the information you need about the H1N1 virus (or human swine flu) on the web through REPUTED sources – like the CDC (US Center for Disease Control) or your local disease control center or health unit. Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking the shot.
There are also a lot of sites out there that are trying to scare you into NOT taking the shot.
Ultimately YOU need to decide whether you want the shot or not. You need to evaluate the risks versus the benefits and make an informed decision for you and your family.
Have I taken the shot? Yes, I have. I was quite apprehensive about it but in the end decided to take it. This is also the first time I’ve ever taken a seasonal flu shot. Don’t let my decision to take the shot affect your decision.
If you know someone that has H1N1 or someone in your family has H1N1 you should speak to your doctor about what precautions to take – in most cases they will be common sense things – like trying to isolate yourself, to washing hands and not touching your face with your hands if they are not clean.
H1H1 Human Swine Flu Map
October 26, 2009 by Mohamed
Filed under H1N1 H1H1 Human Swine Flu
A recent visitor to the site sent me an excellent resource – an H1N1 human swine flu heat map that will show you where all the recent H1H1 cases have been.
Here is a link to the map: http://www.umapper.com/maps/view/id/30340
Here is the same map, embedded onto this page (the one shown above is a static image):
PLEASE NOTE: This information is provided with no guarantee in accuracy. Please consult your doctor for instruction in treating and avoiding flu and the CDC web site for accurate infection locations and numbers. I am not responsible for illness, injury, or harm incurred as a result of the information in this web site. I am not a doctor and am only relaying this information as it’s been provided to me.
A few other H1N1 mapping resources:
How To Reduce Your Risk of Contracting H1N1 Human Swine Flu Virus
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- 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 get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
H1H1 Vaccinations Approved in Canada
October 22, 2009 by Mohamed
Filed under H1N1 H1H1 Human Swine Flu, Weight Loss
After a long wait and just getting into the flu season, Canada has authorized the release of the H1N1 flu vaccination. Canadian health officials have said that there will be enough of the vaccine to immunize everyone that wants it – but as is being reported in the news, many simply do not want it and are willing to deal with the flu as they with. It’s not just individuals that are refusing to take it, but some health care workers also are not wanting to take the vaccine.
Canadian Information Source: http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/10/21/h1n1-vaccine-us-uk.html
The story goes on to hilight the need the US has to expand its own manufacturing capacity for vaccines and indeed this needs to be on the forefront of many government officials minds.
Lieberman told the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee he was “not blaming Canada.”
Canada’s response is understandable, he said, but it highlights how the U.S. urgently needs to expand its own manufacturing capacity for vaccines.
There is quite a bit of information out there, some good and some bad – the best source will be your local health organizations and speaking with your doctor.
The vaccine is already being administered in the United States but based on news reports, there may not be enough to go around.
US Information Sources:
- http://www.examiner.com/x-17574-Harford-County-Education-Headlines-Examiner~y2009m10d22-Maryland-school-children-top-the-priority-list-for-H1N1-vaccine–if-they-can-find-it
- http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/16/eveningnews/main5390834.shtml
- http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-swine-flu17-2009oct17,0,4189877.story
H1N1 (Human Swine Flu) Symptoms
What are the symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) in humans?
It is important that you learn the symptoms of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus so you can easily recognize it in yourself and others.
To date, the vast majority of H1N1 (swine flu) cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to those of the seasonal flu. Only a small percentage of people have had more serious symptoms and required professional medical attention.
It is important to have a working thermometer at home, as an increase in temperature is a key symptom.
The typical symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are:
- a sudden fever of 38°C/100.4°F or above, and
- a sudden cough.
Other symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) may include:
- headache,
- extreme tiredness,
- chills,
- fatigue,muscle aches,
- limb or joint pain,
- diarrhea or upset stomach,
- sore throat,
- runny or stuffy nose,
- sneezing, or
- lack of appetite.
Some people with H1N1 (swine flu) have also reported vomiting.
If you or a member of your family has any of the above mentioned symptoms, you may have the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.
Cases have been confirmed in all age groups, but children and younger people are much more likely to be affected. To date, few cases have been confirmed in older adults.
The severity of H1N1 (swine flu) symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may sometimes require hospitalization. Like the seasonal flu, H1N1 (swine flu) may worsen existing chronic medical conditions.
In some cases, severe complications such as pneumonia and respiratory failure can cause death. Death occurs more often in cases of H1N1 (swine flu) from secondary bacterial infection of the lungs.
If you believe that you may have H1N1 (swine flu), the next step is to determine if you are in a high-risk group or have emergency warning signs.
What to do if I show symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu)?
The question of what to do if you show H1N1 symptoms varies greatly from country to country. In England an online questionnaire determines if you have the flu and issues an antiviral medication prescription number that a ‘Flu Friend’ collects from a local collection point. In other counties the procedure varies from driving to the front of the doctor’s office and honking your horn to contacting officials, who will promptly come to treat you and quarantine your home.
We have developed a list of ‘norms’ from national and international centers for disease control of what to do if you think that you are infected with the H1N1 flu virus.
All of the major health agencies stress that, for the vast majority of people, H1N1 (swine flu) is a mild illness. They say that most people recover by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter flu medication.
This seems to contradict the use of an antiviral drug such as Tamiflu, which can help reduce the symptoms and duration of the infection. It is believed that Tamiflu is most effective if you start the medication within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. If you lay in bed treating H1N1 as a mild illness, two days and the effectiveness of antiviral medication can easily pass.
Some people are at more risk of serious illness if they contract the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. These include persons in high-risk groups and persons with emergency warning signs.
If you or someone you know have H1N1 symptoms AND are in a high-risk group OR show emergency warning signs it is important to contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately to determine your next steps and if you should start taking antiviral medication. The majority of health agencies seem to suggest that the initial contact with your health official should be via telephone.
H1N1 (swine flu) high-risk groups
If you fall into any of the following high-risk groups, contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately.
- pregnant women,
- children under the age of five,
- persons aged 65 and older,
- persons who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years,
- persons with chronic lung disease,
- persons with chronic heart disease,
- persons with chronic kidney disease,
- persons with chronic liver disease,
- persons with chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease),
- persons with immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
and - persons with diabetes mellitus.
If you show any of the following emergency warning signs, contact your personal physician or other medical professional immediately.
H1N1 (swine flu) emergency warning signs in children
- fast breathing or trouble breathing,
- bluish or grayish skin color,
- not drinking enough fluids,
- 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 or fever with a rash
H1N1 (swine flu) emergency warning signs in adults
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
H1N1 World Statistics – October 2, 2009
October 2, 2009 by Mohamed
Filed under H1N1 H1H1 Human Swine Flu, Weight Loss
For the lastest information on the H1N1 World Statistics visit the WHO website. Here is the direct link to the world statistics for H1N1
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_10_02/en/index.html
Geographic spread of influenza activity
Trend of respiratory diseases activity compared to the previous week
Intensity of acute respiratory diseases in the population
Impact on health care services
Laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the IHR (2005) as of 27 September 2009
Map of affected countries and deaths
Previous Posts on Lose Weight Feel Great for H1N1:
- http://www.lose-weight-feel-great.com/2009/08/26/h1n1-world-statistics-august-26-2009/
- http://www.lose-weight-feel-great.com/2009/07/17/h1n1-swine-flu-statistics/
- http://www.lose-weight-feel-great.com/2009/07/16/h1n1-swine-flu-and-obesity-linked/
- http://www.lose-weight-feel-great.com/2009/07/17/h1n1-swine-flu-statistics/
- http://www.lose-weight-feel-great.com/2009/07/13/obese-exposed-as-swine-flu-collides-with-fat-epidemic/
H1N1 World Statistics – August 26, 2009
August 26, 2009 by Mohamed
Filed under H1N1 H1H1 Human Swine Flu, Weight Loss
Our last update was posted http://www.lose-weight-feel-great.com/2009/07/17/h1n1-swine-flu-statistics/ on July 17, 2009. Here is the latest update regarding H1N1 World Statistics. As always, you should get the latest information on H1N1 from your local health offices, and centers for disease control.
Most recently in H1N1 news has been the question of Safety of Pandemic Vaccines.
According to the World Health Organization:
WHO is aware of some media reports that have expressed concern about the safety of vaccines for pandemic influenza. The public needs to be reassured that regulatory procedures in place for the licensing of pandemic vaccines, including procedures for expediting regulatory approval, are rigorous and do not compromise safety or quality controls.
Vaccines are among the most important medical interventions for reducing illness and deaths during a pandemic. However, to have the greatest impact, pandemic vaccines need to be available quickly and in large quantities.
During the 1957 and 1968 pandemics, vaccines arrived too late to be used as an effective mitigation tool during the more severe phases of the pandemics. Influenza vaccines had not yet been developed when the 1918 pandemic swept around the world, eventually killing an estimated 50 million people.
- and -
Also in Europe, some manufacturers have conducted advance studies using a so-called “mock-up” vaccine. Mock-up vaccines contain an active ingredient for an influenza virus that has not circulated recently in human populations and thus mimics the novelty of a pandemic virus. Such advance studies can greatly expedite regulatory approval.
Full link to the news article Safety of Pandemic Vaccines (specifically related to H1N1).
|
Region
|
Cumulative total
|
|
|
as of 13 Aug 2009
|
||
|
|
Cases
|
Deaths
|
|
WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO)
|
1469
|
3
|
|
WHO Regional Office for the Americas (AMRO)
|
105882
|
1579
|
|
WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO)
|
2532
|
8
|
|
WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO)
|
Over 32000
|
53
|
|
WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (SEARO)
|
13172
|
106
|
|
WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO)
|
27111
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
Over 182166
|
1799
|