MAIN FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FLU SHOT

1. It Contains Preservatives including Mercury. Flu vaccines contain a preservative called ¨Thimerosal¨, a compound that is 50%. FDA website quotes ¨Over the past several years, because of an increasing awareness of the theoretical potential for neurotoxicity of even low levels of organomercurials and because of the increased number of thimerosal containing vaccines that had been added to the infant immunization schedule, concerns about the use of thimerosal in vaccines and other products have been raised.¨ Supposedly, the FDA is trying to get manufacturers to lower the levels or remove it entirely, but the only way to know if your flu vaccine has this neurotoxin is to first find out the brand and contact the company yourself.

FDA website states: ¨…preservatives may be defined as compounds that kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms, particularly bacteria and fungi. They are used in vaccines to prevent microbial growth in the event that the vaccine is accidentally contaminated.¨It is a law that they require these preservatives. Did you see the word ¨kill¨ microorganisms? That preservative is being injected into our bodies! This preservative may kill harmful fungi, but it does much more than that. Just like preservatives in our food are killing us, these preservatives are no different.

Studies have showed the Mercury accumulates in the brain. Did you ever make the connection that flu vaccines have sky rocketed right along with the rates of Autism and Alzheimers? Both are caused by an imbalance in the brain. A U.S. study found that children who received vaccines containing thimerosal, were more than twice as likely to develop autism than children who did not! According to Tom Verstraeten, an epidemiologist who had analyzed data on the CDC’s database, thimerosal appeared to be responsible for a dramatic increase in autism and other neurological disorders. He offered no cause for correlation for these findings, but held that the statistical evidence linking vaccines and neurological disorders was strong. but In 1977, a Russian study found that adults exposed to ethylmercury, the form of mercury in thimerosal, suffered brain damage years later. As a result, thimerosal was banned in 1980. Mercury poisoning has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, seizures,mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia and many other nervous system conditions. That’s why the FDA rigorously limits exposure to mercury in foods and drugs, but why allow it in vaccines??…$ $ $ Unfortunately the flu vaccine isn´t the only one with mercury problems… Some vaccines, such as vaccines for hepatitis B, contained as much as 12.5 micrograms of mercury per dose. That’s more than 100 times the EPA’s upper limit standard when administered to infants.

2. Vaccines OVERLOAD our immune system. I thought vaccines were supposed to ¨prevent¨us from getting sick? Instead, they suppress our immune system so we are more vulnerable to illness. How do they do this? The chemicals, the viruses in the vaccine, and the DNA/RNA from foreign animal tissues all act to suppress our immune system. We are risking a lot here! Our only defense against the millions and millions of germs and pathogens we face every second of the day is our incredible immune system! When this is suppressed, we are in big trouble. This suppression doesn´t just last a few hours, but months at a time, and if an invader pathogen takes hold of our weakened state we can be down and struggling for who knows how long. Read this great article my Dr. Mercola as he goes in depth on this topic.

3. You are only protected against one or two strains of virus. However, there are MILLIONS of flu causing viruses in the world, and if we come face to face with a strain other than the one in the vaccine, the vaccine offers no benefit and it is all up to your now depressed immune system to fight it off.

4. Vaccines can be seen as the root of MANY diseases. “I never saw cancer in an un-vaccinated person.”-Dr W B Clarke, circa 1909. Yes, not everybody gets cancer after receiving a vaccine, but their body has been seeded with the ingredients for cancer to grow. It is the environment which allows cancer to grow in the first place, and vaccines create that environment.. It has been known for over 2 centuries now that vaccines clog our lymphatic system. Our lymphatic system is what filters our blood and keeps us ¨clean¨on the insides. When these lymph nodes become clogged it can develop into a very serious problem causing many diseases including cancer. ¨Our lymphatic system is designed to carry our lymphocytes throughout our body and maintain control over our cellular immunity. Therefore, the injection of large molecular sized proteins (foreign tissues in the vaccines) will clog our lymph-nodes and create problems for the lymphatic system. Therefore, it is no mystery that vaccines and lymphatic diseases, like leukemias and lymphomas, are related.¨(Mercola)

5. Much more than a flu virus in the syringe. Each company and brand varies slightly on their ingredient list. Here are some examples of what they contain:

Ingredients: (sources are manufacturers statements.)
FluMist®: (MedImmune) Live attenuated cold adapted virus*, allantoic fluid (egg white), sucrose, potassium phosphate, and monosodium glutamate. Source http://www.drugs.com/PDR/Flumist_Vaccine.html.

FLUARIXTM: (GlaxoSmithKline) Chicken embryos, virus*, sucrose, sodium deoxycholate, formaldehyde, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, octoxynol-10, Alpha-tocopheryl hydrogen succinate, and polysorbate 80, trace thimerosal (<1.25 mcg mercury per dose). Each dose may contain residual amounts of hydrocortisone, gentamicin sulfate, ovalbumin, formaldehyde and sodium deoxycholate.

Fluzone®: (Aventis-Pasteur) Chicken embryos, virus*, formaldehyde, sucrose, octoxinol-9, sodium phosphate, sodium chloride, Gelatin, thimerosal in the 5mL vials (25 ug mercury/dose), no thimerosal in prefilled syringes.

As you can see, there are many chemicals, preservatives, and toxic substances that are injected into us with each flu vaccination.Here is a great page that goes more in depth into each ingredient and how it is harmful.

In conclusion,  I hope seeing the other side of the flu vaccine will help you make a more informed decision when choosing weather or not to vaccinate yourself and your family. Our immune systems are an incredible tool in fighting disease, and as long as we take care of ourselves through proper nutrition, rest, and exercise, our bodies will take care of any bumps along the way. In my next post I will address the best ways to prepare your body through flu season naturally and effectively.

Sources

http://www.naturalnews.com/011764.html

http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/immune_suppression.aspx

http://www.vaclib.org/basic/fluindex.htm

http://www.naturalnews.com/027178_vaccines_autism_NaturalPedia.html

http://vaccinesafety.edu/thi-table.htm

The Truth Behind the Flu Vaccine What Your Doctor Wont Tell You is a post from: Surviving Flu

If you are planning on getting the flu shot 2011 you need to think about a couple of things first. Not everyone should be getting the flu shot 2011 and do you know if you are one of these people or not? You should be fore you go in for your flu shot 2011 because you could find yourself worse off.

If you have had a flu shot before and you did not react well to it then you should not get it again, you are probably better off taking your chances with the flu, especially if you had a severe bad reaction to it the first time. You should also not get the flu shot 2011 if you are allergic to eggs at all and if you have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome then forget it completely, no Guillain-Barré syndrome for you. Another good reason to avoid the flu shot 2011 is if you have been ill very recently or if you are still ill at the time of your flu shot 2011 appointment. If you are sick then your best bet is to talk to your doctor and see what he or she has to say about you getting the flu shot 2011 at this time. Your doctor may counsel you to wait until you are feeling better.

The flu shot 2005 is going to be different than the flu shot 2010 in that the strains that are being vaccinated for are not the same ones. From year to year the flu shot is different this is always the way it is. The scientists have ways in which they can predict which strains are going to be the most prevalent that year and this year the ones that they chose are in the flu shot 2011.

When you get the flu shot you are taking steps to keep you and the rest of your family safe and healthy from the flu. We hear about the flu all of the time but we do not often appreciate the dangers that the flu can bring with it. There are plenty believe me and the flu shot is the only thing standing between you and the flu this year so go get your flu shot today.

What you need to know before you get your flu shot 2011 is a post from: Surviving Flu

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 mind, you should be well on your way to equipping your body to deal with your swine flu.

Swine Flu: Natural Cure and Home Remedies for Swine Flu is a post from: Surviving Flu

The newly expanded guidelines help eliminate confusion about who should get a flu vaccine shot: everyone ages 6 months and older is now advised to get the universal vaccine. For FFF Enterprises, the national largest and most trusted distributor of flu vaccine, getting this message out has become a top priority. FFF Enterprises, located in Temecula, Calif., has made a mission out of “helping healthcare care,” which includes protecting people from the deadly complications associated with the flu.

Even though flu awareness is higher, FFF says increasing flu vaccine compliance remains a challenge, since every year many people still buy into common flu vaccine myths. Frequently cited reasons for avoiding the flu vaccine include the belief you can catch the flu from the vaccine, or that if you were vaccinated last year you don’t need another flu vaccine shot this year. In fact, flu vaccines are composed of dead viruses, so you can’t become infected by getting your shot. Additionally, flu strains change each year so the 2009 vaccine will not protect you this year. Another important component is the fact that this year’s seasonal flu vaccine immunizes against the H1N1 pandemic strain and two other strains, providing even more protection.

Each year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and over 36,000 die. While everyone should get a flu vaccine annually, it’s especially important that certain people get the flu vaccine either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).

While flu is always unpredictable and the severity of this year’s outbreak remains to be seen, in many ways, there has never been a better time to make getting a flu vaccine a priority. A good motivator, according to FFF, is the concept of “community immunity;” getting vaccinated protects not only the individual who gets the shot, but also that person’s family, coworkers and community at large.

Flu Vaccines More Important Than Ever is a post from: Surviving Flu

So what is avian flu? Avian flu is bird flu. Yes, you read that right, “Avian flu is bird flu.” And why might that be such bad news?

If you pursue the news much, you will read that the deadliest disease in history is widely regarded as the Spanish Flu epidemic which killed 40 million people in just months. Scientists now believe the epidemic was an avian flu pandemic. In other words, the virus came from birds – it is believed – and a virus similar to this one -called the “H5N1″ (a form of avian flu virus). Its origins?  Most scientists agree it originated in Asia, as this one.

Flu comes every season. It comes in one of two forms, Type A or Type B influenza. Type A is the more potent of these kinds of flu, and avian flu is Type A. These strains kill.

The current avian flu bug is infecting and spreading throughout the poultry industry in Asia. Why so often in Asia? Simply put…and here is a key to understanding how to deal with avian flu – poultry farms are absolutely filthy. The stench from such farms, especially those throughout Asia, can be detected a mile away. Those farms are packed with animals which are weak with compromised, weakened, immune systems.

Let these two phrases sink in together: avian flu and weakened immune systems. Whether we are dealing with the aftermath of the horrible conditions and weakened immune systems of millions who survived World War I or the horrible conditions of Asian and European poultry farms and their millions of animals with weakened immune systems, the key to this potential pandemic is “weakened immune systems and avian flu”.

Because of the rapid spread and highly dangerous nature of the avian flu to birds, millions of flocks have been destroyed throughout the afflicted countries. However, that is simply not working because migratory birds are carrying the avian flu to distant lands, thus spreading its contagion. Interestingly, the migratory birds are not dying like the chickens. Why? Because their immune systems are much stronger, we are told by scientists.
Let that one sink in too: avian flu is not killing those animals so readily which have strong immune systems. Hum…avian flu and immune systems…Could be we have something here.

Incidentally, there have been only about a hundred deaths from avian flu worldwide. It is almost impossible for avian flu to make the transition from bird to human easily.

Avian Flu: Now for the really bad news

Of course, as soon as there is the slightest danger -avian flu or otherwise -our government jumps into high gear to infect every one of us, if possible, with its antiviral drug program against the slightest hint of avian flu. To date, everyone of the influenza drugs have proven worthless…or worse, against avian flu or any other kind of flu.

Note this statement from the former Chief Vaccine Control at the Federal Food and Drug Administration:

There is no evidence that any influenza vaccine thus far
developed is effective in preventing or mitigating any attack
of influenza. The producers of these vaccines know that they
are worthless, but they go on selling them anyway.
–Dr. J. Anthony Morris

I wonder if this will apply to the alleged avian flu “antidote”.  Note: The last few decades have seen a dramatic shift in fatalities from seasonal flu (some of which are avian flu).

Researchers now know the increase in the population does NOT account for the doubling of the seasonal average death toll from flu (avian flu or otherwise). Less than 20,000 were dying per year for decades. But, since the advent of the flu shot, averages of over 40,000 people per year have been dying.

Why?

One suggestion is a combination of two factors: the continued impairment of the immune system of the average American as witnessed by the multitude of epidemic diseases among us (not present in appreciable amounts in previous decades). The second factor follows below… (like the second Horseman of the Apocalypse).

Let’s see…one thing we do know about flu vaccines. They are not proven to work… No, two things we know…Yes, yes. They can kill. Just as surely as the avian flu can kill.

Many authorities believe  the flu shot actually weakens the immune system…ah, there it is again…the immune system weakened.

Why is that? Let’s see. The ingredients in the flu vaccine (remember this when dealing with the avian flu) include:

“    Formaldehyde, you know…embalming fluid known to cause cancer.

“    Aluminum, the very metal related to Alzheimer’s disease, cancers of numerous types and traumatic seizures.  

“    Carbolic Acid: a terribly caustic poison.

“    Ethylene Glycol: You will definitely need this fluid this winter, but please only use it as anti-freeze for your car, as it was designed to be used originally.

“    Mercury: This is present in the vaccine ingredient called thimerosol. This is a known medical crippler and killer. It kills brain cells and immune cells and is linked to childhood brain and nervous diseases because of its use in VACCINES.
“    Vaccines for use in avian flu are grown on virus strains developed from pus-laden animal tissue mixed with the above mentioned deadly chemicals.
(Bulleted items: Special Report, “Bird Flu, H5N1″, Dr. Richard Schulze, November 2005, p. 12. Great “avian flu” resource.)

Is it any wonder the drug companies involved sought to be legally protected from law suits by those who might use these drugs against avian flu?

Forgive my skepticism, but I have seen from the inside of the medical/drug establishment, the fanatical zeal to make money as a first priority… Been there, opposed that. Avian flu treatment will not be any different.

Don’t count on the Hippocratic Oath to protect you from avian flu.  There is big money in these drugs. Billions. And it is always suspicious when a drug company seeks lawsuit immunity (hum, appropriate wording here) BEFORE THE FACT (before its use against avian flu!)

Avian Flu: Now for the good news (finally).

Avian flu was not in view when this following statement was made. However, read it carefully with avian flu in mind.

In Congressional testimony concerning the potential of bio-terrorism attack upon the United States, Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel stated,

In instances of unusual, epidemic, or virulent infectious agent exposure,
glyconutrient supplementation has been found effective for enhancing
general immune functions and defense. When supplied at higher levels
than available in nature, sugars needed for cellular synthesis can take
innate defense systems to a much higher level that are effective against
infectious agents.

In other words, if we were attacked by an enemy with bio weapons -such as avian flu- we could find protection with glyconutrition. This is a powerful, non-prescriptive antidote possibility against avian flu.

Glyconutrition enhances the immune system’s natural defenses so powerfully that cancers, flu, and other UNDER ACTIVE IMMUNE DISORDERS can be stopped. The evidence is already in place. There is no guesswork here. Avian flu is flu, Type A, precisely the kind of flu glyconutrition is designed to offset.

Glyconutrition is effective – presumably against avian flu too – and has no side effects. It is a food substance, proven to be vital for human survival. There are no less than four Nobel Prizes to substantiate the presence and human need for glyconutrition.

There is an abundance of evidence showing its effectiveness against all kinds of disease, including flu. It doesn’t attack the flu directly. It strengthens the immune defenses – killer T cells and others – and they kill the tumors, flu, herpes simplex, shingles, strep, TB, bacterial infections, cancers, parasitic diseases… Quite a list of killers thus killed.

So…

Guess what I am going to take to protect my family this year against avian flu…if it develops?

The Good News And Bad News Of Avian Flu is a post from: Surviving Flu

Even though flu awareness is high this year following the media blitz of the H1N1 pandemic, FFF says increasing flu vaccine compliance remains a challenge, since every year many people still buy into common flu vaccine myths. Frequently cited reasons for avoiding the flu vaccine shot include the belief that you can catch the flu from the vaccine, or that if you were vaccinated last year you don’t need another flu vaccine shot this year. A quick look at the facts dispels these notions. For one thing, flu vaccines are composed of dead viruses, so you can’t become infected by getting your shot. Additionally, flu strains change each year so the 2009 vaccine will not protect you this year. Another important component is the fact that this year’s seasonal flu vaccine immunizes against three virus strains including the H1N1 pandemic strain, providing even greater incentives to get vaccinated. There is also a new high dose vaccine formulated for those age 65 and over.

Each year the flu kills more people than all vaccine preventable diseases combined. While the new CDC guidelines encourage everyone to get an annual flu vaccine, vaccination is especially important for certain people, either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease).

Flu is always unpredictable. Last year, even people who claimed they never got the flu found themselves sick or even hospitalized due to the H1N1 virus. Flu season lasts from October through January and the severity of this year’s outbreak remains to be seen, which is why there has never been a better time to make getting a flu vaccine a priority. A good motivator, according to FFF, is the concept of “community immunity;” getting vaccinated protects not only the individual who gets the shot, but also that person’s family, coworkers and community at large. Call your healthcare provider and schedule your flu vaccine today.

Flu Vaccine Saves Lives is a post from: Surviving Flu

No matter where you live you can probably find a flu shot clinic in your area. Every city and town in the US has a flu shot clinic set up somewhere in it the only trouble can be in finding it sometimes. You can of course get your flu vaccine from your doctor but if he or she has run out then a flu shot clinic will be your only hope of getting yourself vaccinated.

You can ask your doctor if they know where the closest flu shot clinic is and they should be able to tell you, if not then consider contacting the hospital and asking them for any information that they may have about a flu shot clinic in the area. One of these places will be able to help you to find a flu shot clinic that you and your family can visit in order to get your flu shots.

If you still cannot seem to find a flu shot clinic then you can try the internet. The internet is a wealth of knowledge on all things including the closest flu shot clinic. A quick search will bring up all of the flu shot clinics that you can visit.

There is only one problem that you may run into concerning a flu shot clinic and that is the short supply of flu shots that are available. There are never enough flu shots to go around but this year things seem to be even worse. It is already getting to be late in the year and you may have trouble finding a flu shot clinic that actually ahs some flu shots to give out. If this turns out to be the case you should keep monitoring the situation because there is a chance that some more flu shots will be distributed and a flu shot clinic in your area may reopen. If you see that this has happened and a flu shot clinic is now open for business do not waste any time in getting in there for your shot because whatever they have will not last long.

Visiting the flu shot clinic is a post from: Surviving Flu

Wash your hands thoroughly before and after eating, and also when you sneeze, cough etc. This prevents the spreading of flu causing germs and avoids you getting ill. Make sure that you wash your hands with hot water and soap.

Take foods that are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. These will elevate your immune system so that you are less prone cold and flu and if you get sick also you will be able to recover very soon.

It is very important to keep your body hydrated. Drink plenty of water in a day. Minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water is must. Prefer boiled water than cold one.

Echinacea is a very good immune booster that you can try if you are not allergic to it.

Take early flu vaccines so that it helps your immune system to build up antibodies there by fighting against Flu type of activities.

Antibacterial wipes can be used to wash your hands and clothes. They will kill flu germs present on the cloth surface and other materials.

Do regular exercises they boost your immune system and keeps flu away from you. And also they help to stimulate the white blood cells that ward off the flu infections.

Plenty of sleep is important since it recovers the body normal status from eliminating stress. It fights against the flu by restoring the body to its natural energetic state. Try to sleep 6 to 8 hours a day.

Take vitamin D in the form of natural supplements or stay in sun for a while. Research says that vitamin D is more effective in boosting one’s immune system. Eat healthy diet and stay fit to fight against the Flu.

Protect yourself from Cold and Flu is a post from: Surviving 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

I have symptoms of H1N1 Swine Flu is a post from: Surviving Flu

The only known bird flu vaccine is still in the experimental stages and they do not even know yet how effective it will be, it may not work at all. We hear about the bird flu every day and about how many people it is going to kill throughout the world but to keep things in perspective it is important that you realize that very few people have actually caught the bird flu and even fewer have actually died from it and this is all without the help of a bird flu vaccine.

The main cases of those who have gotten this terrible bird flu are cases in which the people themselves were in contact with birds. Bird flu doe snot seem to be spreading from person to person at all so far so there is not as yet a huge demand for the bird flu vaccine. Especially not in most countries, Asia however could benefit largely from the use of an effective bird flu vaccine since this is where most people are catching bird flu.

The reason that scientist and the governments are so interested in developing a good and useful bird flu vaccine is because humans will not be able to stand up against the bird flu long when and if it starts being transferred from person to person. This is when we are going to really need the bird flu vaccine and that is why this vaccine is being worked on so much by the best minds in science.

Creating a good bird flu vaccine is proving to be a lot harder than researchers thought it was going to be due to how much this bird flu changes. It is always changing and developing in more ways and this makes it hard to make one bird flu vaccine that will work all of the time. The scientist working on the bird flu vaccine are monitoring the bird flu very well to watch for any significant changes that will affect the usability of the bird flu vaccine. All of the data that they collect can be used to make the bird flu vaccine more and more effective.

Is the bird flu vaccine like a regular flu shot? is a post from: Surviving Flu