The number of swine flu deaths reported worldwide has jumped by more than 700 in a week, latest World Health Organization figures reveal. More than 5,700 swine flu deaths were reported by 25 October, compared to 5,000 the week before. The biggest rise was in the Americas where 4,175 deaths have been reported, up 636 from the week before. The latest WHO figures showed there had been 440,000 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus worldwide.But the organization said that as many countries have stopped counting individual cases, the actual number is likely to be significantly higher.
The WHO has warned for months that as winter sets in, the northern hemisphere can expect swine flu cases to rise. Now that appears to be happening.
The virus emerged in Mexico in April and was declared a global flu pandemic on 11 June.
In the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere, influenza transmission continues to intensify, marking an unusually early start to winter influenza season.
SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS
Typical symptoms: sudden fever (38C or above) and sudden cough
1. Other symptoms include: Tiredness and chills
2. Headache, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing
3. Stomach upset, loss of appetite, diarrhoea
4. Aching muscles, limb or joint pain
Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis. But this latest version of H1N1 is different: it contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine. Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease. It can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.
As with normal flu, the severity of symptoms will depend on treatment and the individual. Many people have only suffered mildly and have begun to recover within a week. People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms, but they cease to be a risk once those symptoms have disappeared. The incubation period may be as little as two days.
Apparently healthy people are dying from the virus. Does that means it is getting worse?
Experts say this does not change anything. Apparently healthy people can die of any flu-related virus if it causes complications such as pneumonia so these latest deaths do not give any extra cause for concern. Indeed, so far, many people who have developed symptoms of infection have not needed drugs to make a full recovery, according to the WHO. About one in every three people who become infected will not realise they have had swine flu because they will have had no or only very few symptoms. About 98% of people who get infected will recover fully without any hospital treatment so the public needs to be reassured.
The real fear is that the strain will mutate and become more virulent which would pose a greater threat. This has been the feature of previous flu pandemics. But this has not yet happened - and in any event it is worth remembering that seasonal flu often poses a serious threat to public health - each year it kills 250,000 - 500,000 around the world.
Why are younger people more affected?
The infection has been found to affect younger people more due to it spreading quickly in schools where there is a lot of mixing and where infections can quickly spread. This is not unusual and children are known to be instrumental in the spread of flu. It is thought that older age groups may have some immunity as they have been exposed to previous H1N1 viruses.
What should I do if I think I have it?
Anyone with flu-like symptoms who suspects they might have the swine flu virus are being advised to stay at home, rest and treat it like any other flu. Have contact with as few people as possible.However, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and parents of children under one are still being advised to contact a doctor. In the initial phase of the outbreak, lab testing was done to diagnose the flu but this is no longer happening routinely.
How is it treated?
Two anti-viral drugs commonly used to treat flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective at treating infection, reducing the length of the illness and cutting the chances that people will have serious complications. Use of these drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others. However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective.
Researchers have also questioned whether the drugs are helpful in children aged between one and 12, saying the risk of side effects might outweigh any benefits.
What measures then can I take to prevent infection?
People are being advised to avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough. General infection control practices and good hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the swine influenza. This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible and disposing of it promptly. No tissue? Cough into your sleeve. It is also important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or antiseptic hand wash to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people, and cleaning hard surfaces like door handles, tables and counters frequently using a normal cleaning product.
In Mexico masks have been handed out to the general public, but experts are sceptical about how useful this is. Some suggest it may even be counterproductive.
Typical symptoms: sudden fever (38C or above) and sudden cough
1. Other symptoms include: Tiredness and chills
2. Headache, sore throat, runny nose and sneezing
3. Stomach upset, loss of appetite, diarrhoea
4. Aching muscles, limb or joint pain
Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis. But this latest version of H1N1 is different: it contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine. Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease. It can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.
As with normal flu, the severity of symptoms will depend on treatment and the individual. Many people have only suffered mildly and have begun to recover within a week. People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms, but they cease to be a risk once those symptoms have disappeared. The incubation period may be as little as two days.
Apparently healthy people are dying from the virus. Does that means it is getting worse?
Experts say this does not change anything. Apparently healthy people can die of any flu-related virus if it causes complications such as pneumonia so these latest deaths do not give any extra cause for concern. Indeed, so far, many people who have developed symptoms of infection have not needed drugs to make a full recovery, according to the WHO. About one in every three people who become infected will not realise they have had swine flu because they will have had no or only very few symptoms. About 98% of people who get infected will recover fully without any hospital treatment so the public needs to be reassured.
The real fear is that the strain will mutate and become more virulent which would pose a greater threat. This has been the feature of previous flu pandemics. But this has not yet happened - and in any event it is worth remembering that seasonal flu often poses a serious threat to public health - each year it kills 250,000 - 500,000 around the world.
Why are younger people more affected?
The infection has been found to affect younger people more due to it spreading quickly in schools where there is a lot of mixing and where infections can quickly spread. This is not unusual and children are known to be instrumental in the spread of flu. It is thought that older age groups may have some immunity as they have been exposed to previous H1N1 viruses.
What should I do if I think I have it?
Anyone with flu-like symptoms who suspects they might have the swine flu virus are being advised to stay at home, rest and treat it like any other flu. Have contact with as few people as possible.However, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women and parents of children under one are still being advised to contact a doctor. In the initial phase of the outbreak, lab testing was done to diagnose the flu but this is no longer happening routinely.
How is it treated?
Two anti-viral drugs commonly used to treat flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective at treating infection, reducing the length of the illness and cutting the chances that people will have serious complications. Use of these drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others. However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective.
Researchers have also questioned whether the drugs are helpful in children aged between one and 12, saying the risk of side effects might outweigh any benefits.
What measures then can I take to prevent infection?
People are being advised to avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough. General infection control practices and good hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the swine influenza. This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible and disposing of it promptly. No tissue? Cough into your sleeve. It is also important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water or antiseptic hand wash to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people, and cleaning hard surfaces like door handles, tables and counters frequently using a normal cleaning product.
In Mexico masks have been handed out to the general public, but experts are sceptical about how useful this is. Some suggest it may even be counterproductive.
Don't forget, a flu shot needs two weeks to fully protect you.
Protect yourself out there.Get a flu shot when you can and stay healthy. We care.
Protect yourself out there.Get a flu shot when you can and stay healthy. We care.
There are more cases and death than being reported.We will have to protect ourselvesthe best we can.
ReplyDeleteThe flu shots are not available in some places as of yet, outGov't is just slow on important things and fast on bull-s**t.But it seems to be the lay of our land, waiting til the last minute for everything.