Health care providers play a critical role in H1N1 vaccinations

Patients and parents expect health care providers to have information about new vaccines. So, when a new H1N1 vaccine became available in October 2009, the question was: Would health care providers recommend it?

Results from the latest C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health indicate health care providers play a critical role in influencing parents and patients to vaccinate their children and themselves against H1N1 flu.

The poll found that 29 percent of children and 16 percent of adults have received H1N1 vaccine, as of January 2010. Vaccination levels were more than two to three times as high when parents thought their children's providers strongly recommended the vaccine (66 percent) and when adults perceived strong recommendations from their own providers (57 percent).

"For H1N1 vaccination among kids and adults, it looks like the advice of health care providers is tremendously important," 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. "Our study indicates that the impact of provider recommendations on H1N1 vaccination goes in both directions," says Davis.

For patients and parents whose health care providers strongly favored H1N1 vaccination, immunization rates were much higher than average. But if providers were less positive about the vaccine or even neutral—neither for nor against it—then H1N1 vaccination was much less likely, Davis says.

Among parents who had communicated with providers about H1N1 vaccine, only 38 percent reported that providers strongly recommended H1N1 vaccine for their children; 35 percent of parents perceived that the providers were neutral.

Among adults who had spoken with providers about H1N1 vaccine, 22 percent reported that providers strongly recommended the vaccine, while 55 percent perceived that their providers were neutral.

Swine Flu - Learn the Essential Facts About It

There won`t be a single person unaware of the term `swine flu` by now. With the way it is spreading across the world, everyone is wary of catching the disease and falling prey to its ill-effects. Although there is hardly anything that we can do to keep the disease at bay, it is pertinent to learn a few important things about it. Swine flu is caused by pigs. But no, keeping pigs in the backyard will not give rise to the dreaded disease and neither if you fondle it or kiss it. There is a chance of you getting infected if the pig has the virus, but generally it takes much more than that to get the dreaded disease.

Our fascinating immune system:

There must have plenty of times that we have been infected with the normal human flu. It is not very dangerous except for very young infants and old people, already leading a debilitating life. Thankfully enough, nature has entrusted us with such an immune system which immediately recognizes an alien in the body and rises to the occasion to incapacitate it. But this leads to a mutation of the virus which returns to try its luck again. This time, our immune system faces a little more difficulty in driving it away. This is the reason why better vaccines must be developed each time to fight the enhanced form of the virus.

How does swine flu affect us?

When there is a mutation in the external proteins of the normal human flu virus, our immune system puts forth its defense mechanism to fight the virus. During this time, we suffer from the effects of the virus, like having fever and running nose and perhaps some respiratory problems. If it so happens that the body is unable to meet the challenge thrown by the virus, we succumb to the virus and have to breathe our last. In case of swine flu, our body is not able to recognize the symptoms of the virus which makes it increasingly difficult to fight against it. The virus has now crossed the bridge and attacked the human race from the pigs.

Are you susceptible to the virus?

It has been found that people who have had no interaction with pigs are most susceptible to swine flu. Their immune system has no record of such a virus and is least equipped to fight it. When the virus affects a significant part of the population of a place, it will surely turn out to be pandemic. It is difficult to pronounce the exact effects of the swine flu virus in the global perspective. How virulent the virus is will determine the degree to which it will affect the humans. Several other factors are also responsible for the outbreak of swine flu as a pandemic.

The spread of the disease:

In the past, swine flu would not have spread and become pandemic throughout the world. It would have affected an entire locality or city. But with people traveling great distances across the seas and oceans, the flu is not one to stay behind. By the time a person learns that he is infected, he may be thousands of miles away from his city.

Necessary precautions:

So what should be done to avoid this dreaded disease? Firstly, now that we know that there is a particular season when the pigs are affected by this flu, we should put the pigs in quarantine and prepare specially designed suits for people who handle them. Basic hygiene is a must with clean hands and clean environment. And further, traveling to places where swine flu is rampant should be avoided for some time until the particular period of getting the virus is gone. You can also take the help of different agencies who will help you to guard against swine flu. So educate yourself and help design a better life for yourself.

About Roberto Sedycias
You can have access to articles about health in portuguese language from page Health Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for Polomercantil

Swine Flu: Natural Cure and Home Remedies for Swine Flu

by Paramjit Singh

Swine flu has been creating a terror effects all round the globe and has been declared epidemic in most part of the world.

This is caused by influenza A (H1N1) virus. Swine Flu is H1N1, or pig influenza - an acute respiratory infection, usually affects pigs, but the ability to pounce and man. Presumably, the disease appeared after the animal is picked up one of several varieties of the virus - a new strain, scientists have found traces of the North American pig flu or swine flu, the North American avian influenza, and swine and human virus commonly found in Asia and Europe. The first cases of human infection by virus reported on 18 March in Mexico.

What are Swine Flu symptoms?
• High temperature
• Cough
• Shortness of breath, Feel Trouble in breathing

The most significant symptoms of a swine flu infection are the fever with chills, body ache and fatigue, a cough and sore throat, nausea, and diarrhea.

Ayurveda: It has the best form of herbal remedies for swine flu. Ayurvedic medicines are pure natural substances made of herbs and it’s very effective in the prevention of swine flu. Ayurvedic medicines used as a remedy to reduce swine flu symptoms contain herbs like neem (Indian lilac), elderberry, ginger and pepper extracts. Once the symptoms have reduced, herbs such as triphala, Divya Giloy Sat or Guduchi or Tinospora or Amrita etc used to eliminate all the symptoms completely. Swine Flu Herbal Medicine boosts the immune system against the H1N1 virus. Divya Giloy Sat or Guduchi or Tinospora or Amrita is an important ayurvedic medicine used to treat all kinds of flu symptoms and it is natural swine flu prevention medicine. It works by treating infections and increasing the body's resistance against organisms.

Herbal Remedy and Supplements
Strong dietary and vitamin supplements like vitamin C, vitamin D, etc. and certain probity’s can be useful in the treatment and prevention of swine flu. The Herbal remedies strengthen the immune system, to fight against the viruses and organisms causing swine flu.

Swine Flu Home Remedies and several natural ways to treat these swine symptoms that can be effective in relieving swine flu symptoms, along with the natural remedies for swine flu:

- A mixture of 1 tbsp of honey with 1/2 tbsp cinnamon powder can be consumed. This relieves swine flu symptoms like cold, nasal congestion and sore throat.
- Steam inhalation with basil leaves added to the water, it helpful in relieving swine flu symptoms & relieving lung congestion.
- Chewing fresh garlic cloves: Another effective home remedy as garlic, Good antiviral.
- Consuming lemon tea: Relieve symptoms like cough, headaches, etc.
Swine flu can be treated effectively using the above mentioned herbs and remedies, and is a healthier option compared to the treatment with allopathic medicines and antiviral.

Swine flu prevention naturally is the best remedy to stop the rapid spread of swine flu.
-Regularly ventilated area, do wet cleaning, wash your hands frequently.
- Strengthen your immune system, more often outdoors, move more.
- Before going out into the street or in public places cover nose - it has antiviral activity against influenza.
- Try to avoid communication with ill people. If this is unavoidable, wear respirators or gauze dressing.
- After working with raw meat, Wash your hands carefully. Do not eat raw or half-meat. Porcine influenza virus, like any virus is destroyed at a temperature of 65 degrees. Disinfectants kill him instantly.
- If you did not spring a flu shot, you can raise the immunity of special preparations. Usual onion and garlic increase the protective forces of organism.

If you have found a host of influenza symptoms (fever, muscle pain, coughing, sneezing, weakness, dizziness, nausea), be sure to contact the clinic. They clarify the diagnosis and treatment will designate.

How to protect yourself from it?
The best means of prevention - it is your common sense and hygiene. Washing hands regularly and cover mouth and nose, while venturing out, it is an important to swine flu prevention. Along with the treatment for swine flu, consume as much as liquids, taking adequate rest and sleep. If sick, do not need go to work or school - better to rest at home, do not aggravate their condition and do not infect others.

If you keep these common sense measures in mindScience Articles, you should be well on your way to equipping your body to deal with your swine flu.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Swine Flu Herbal Medicine is 100% pure natural remedies for swine flu. Use Home Remedies for Swine Flu to uprooted this virus and its symptoms completely.

Swine Flu Facts And Symptoms Of Swine Flu

by by Celine Yong

Swine Flu Facts

Swine flu is caused by type A influenza virus affecting pigs. It spreads to humans when humans come into contact with infected pigs, which shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces.

The usual strains of Influenza A virus seldom infect across species. But when a human strain and a pig (swine) strain infects an animal at the same time, the eight distinct genetic segments that make up the flu genetic code can exchange with each other in a process called reassortment.

The swine flu virus currently seen appears to come from a reassortment of genetic material from a pig strain, a bird strain and a human strain. It is now capable of human-to-human transmission, much in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people. The swine flu virus currently responds well to Tamiflu although health experts fear that this virus may continue to mutate and eventually render Tamiflu ineffective before the vaccine is ready.

One cannot be infected by eating pork. Cooking pork and all other meats to an internal temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius will ensure that we are not ingesting live bacteria and viruses.

The Symptoms Of Swine Flu

The symptoms are generally mild, much like those of regular human seasonal influenza. They include

# high fever (usually above 38 degrees Celsius)
# sore throat
# runny nose
# body aches
# possibly breathlessness a few days later
# fatigue
# vomitting
# diarrhea
# chills

However, the risks of being taken severely ill or even dying from swine flu increases dramatically in patients who already have underlying or pre-existing health conditions. Doctors have identified the following groups of people to be most vulnerable to the virus:
# Pregnant women, particularly those in the second and third trimesters
# Children younger than five, particularly those younger than two years of age
# Diabetics
# Immuno-compromised people whose immune systems are depressed from disease or from using drugs such as those used in chemotherapy
# People with chronic heart and / or lung disease
# Obese people
# People who are suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
# People who have metabolic problems (people who are obese or suffering from diabetes mellitus, among others)
# People who are 65 years or older

See a doctor immediately if you are unwell, and refrain from close contact (2 metres or less) with other people. For more details and updates on swine flu, visit http://howtobefitandhealthy.com/category/swine-flu-information

About the Author
Celine Yong hails from sunny Singapore. She is passionate about health and fitness. Visit her health and fitness blog for free today at http://howtobefitandhealthy.com At her blog, you will be able to read and benefit from the tips she has compiled from numerous health and fitness experts from both East and West.

Mexico swine flu 'a potential pandemic'

A new flu virus suspected of killing as many as 81 people in Mexico has the potential to become a pandemic, the World Health Organization's chief says.

Margaret Chan said the outbreak was a "health emergency of international concern" and must be closely monitored.

Health experts say tests so far seem to link the illnesses in Mexico with a swine flu virus in the southern US.

Several people have also fallen ill in the US, and the authorities there are watching the situation. A top US health official said the strain of swine flu had spread widely and could not be contained.

Speaking after a meeting of the WHO's emergency committee, Mrs Chan said that "the current events constitute a public health emergency of international concern".

The WHO is advising all member states to be vigilant for seasonally unusual flu or pneumonia-like symptoms among their populations - particularly among young healthy adults.

Officials said most of those killed so far in Mexico were young adults - rather than more vulnerable children and the elderly.

The committee has not recommended declaring an international public health emergency and raising the global pandemic alert level, a move that could lead to travel advisories, trade restrictions and border closures.

At least some of the cases show a new version of the H1N1 swine flu sub-strain - a respiratory disease which infects pigs but only sporadically infects humans.

H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal flu outbreaks in humans, but the newly-detected version contains genetic material from versions which usually affect pigs and birds.

The virus is spread through coughs and sneezes and through direct and indirect contact between people.

Mexican officials have confirmed 20 deaths from the virus and are investigating dozens more.

Schools, museums and libraries have been closed across the capital's region and people are being urged to avoid shaking hands or sharing crockery. Hundreds of public events have been suspended and schools in the Mexico City area have been closed until 6 May. Two previously sold-out soccer matches were played in empty stadiums to avoid potentially spreading the virus.

Health officials are isolating individuals suspected of having the virus and inspecting their homes.

The Roman Catholic Church in Mexico has recommended measures to avoid further contagion at Mass this Sunday.

Priests have been told to place communion wafers in the hands of worshippers rather than in their mouths and to suggest to the congregation that kissing or shaking hands be avoided during the service.

In the US, 11 people are now known to have been infected with the new strain - seven people in California, two in Texas, and two in Kansas. There are also eight suspected cases in New York City after 200 students at a high school fell ill.

Specimens were taken from nine students, and eight were determined to be probable cases of swine flu, said city health commissioner Dr Thomas Frieden. Those samples are now being examined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

No children had required hospital treatment and many had fully recovered, said Dr Frieden, but the school could remain closed out of "an abundance of caution".

He urged people to maintain basic hygiene, such and covering their mouths when coughing and sneezing, washing hands regularly and keeping surfaces clean.

Dr Frieden said most people would not need to take antiviral medication if they fell ill, unless they had an underlying medical condition.

CDC officials have said that with cases arising in so many communities, containment is unlikely to be feasible.

There is currently no vaccine for the new strain.

Tom Skinner of the CDC told the BBC that it was too early too tell how widespread the impact would be.

"We don't know how well or efficiently this virus is spreading and how easily it is going to be sustained in the human population."

He said it was not yet clear which side of the border the virus had originated.

But the US was likely to take "normal and routine" steps within the next few days to screen passengers coming into the US and to distribute information, he said.

The CDC plans to send experts to Mexico to help investigate the virus which has infected more than 1,000 people in the country.

The BBC science editor Susan Watts says the new strain is a classic "re-assortment" - a combination feared most by those watching for the flu pandemic.