Private hospitals agree to pitch in – swine flu patients

Private hospitals in the city will assist the State government in screening and treating swine flu patients. This decision was taken after a meeting held with the Chief Secretary on Tuesday.

Director of Health Services D.S. Dakhure told The Hindu that most of the 19 hospitals which attended a meeting on Monday agreed to help with treatment by setting up separate isolation wards. Some who could not do so offered to screen and collect throat swabs, he said.

On Wednesday, a team of medical experts will inspect all the hospitals to check for the required facilities under the Centre’s guidelines. In Pune, nine hospitals which expressed interest in treating patients were inspected by a medical team, he said. The private hospitals are expected to start treatment within four-seven days.

Sample-testing centres

Meanwhile, at a press conference, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Jairaj Phatak announced that the civic body would start sample-testing centres at the Kasturba and Siddharth hospitals. “At present, it takes 72 hours for test results to come from the Haffkine Institute as there is a heavy load. The laboratory at Kasturba can be operationalised in less than four weeks. It would then be able to test 100 samples in one shift and 200 in two shifts. We would also be operationalising a lab at Siddharth.”

Dr. Jairaj Thanekar, Executive Health Officer of the BMC, said the time taken for the test result would not affect treatment. “We have started administering Tamiflu to patients as soon as we suspect that they may have swine flu,” he said. “We don’t wait for the test results to come.” Mr. Phatak also refused to shut down schools in the city like in Pune.

“Even if schools are shut,” he said, “children may contract the virus from parents or while travelling in crowded buses or trains on their way to malls,” Mr. Phatak said.

Schools’ stand

He said that the principals of private schools told him during a meeting that there was no need to shut down schools. On the other hand, the corporators wanted the schools closed.

In order to end the impasse, Mr. Phatak decided to resort to an SMS opinion poll. SMSs would be sent to Mumbaikars in the name of the Municipal Commissioner to know what people wanted.

Long weekend

Mr. Phatak said although the Government of India too did not see any reason for “schools to be closed down indiscriminately,” he would take a decision to that effect if the people so desired.

The children of the city would have a long weekend anyway, with the Dahi Handi festival on Friday and Independence Day on Saturday. As such, he said, there was no need to separately shut schools.

How do I tell if my child has swine flu?

How do I tell if my child has swine flu?

As swine flu spreads, it is important to be able to recognise its symptoms and know what to do if you think that you or your family might have it.

One thing you can do right now is to make sure you have a thermometer to take your child’s temperature. If they have a temperature of 38° C or above and they have any two of the following symptoms, then you should call your GP straight away. The symptoms are:

tiredness
headache
runny nose and sneezing
sore throat
shortness of breath
loss of appetite
vomiting and diarrhoea
aching muscles, limb and joint pain
If your child is less than one year old and you think they might have swine flu, call your nearest Swine Flu Help Center immediately.

Swine Flu : I am pregnant. Am I at higher risk?

Swine Flu : I am pregnant. Am I at higher risk?

While most pregnant women with swine flu will only have mild symptoms like most other people, there is a higher risk of developing complications. If you are pregnant and think you may have swine flu, call your GP.

Pregnant women with swine flu may be given an antiviral drug called Relenza. Relenza is taken through an inhaler rather than a tablet. This means it builds up in your throat and lungs but not in your blood or placenta and should not affect your baby.

The Chief Medical Officer issued this advice on 20 July:

Some pregnant women who catch the swine flu virus will develop complications of the infection (including pneumonia) that could put their own and their baby’s health at risk. The risks are greatest in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. It is too early in the pandemic of influenza to be able to quantify these risks for the individual but most pregnant women who catch the disease are likely to make an uncomplicated recovery.

Bearing these risks in mind, at present, mothers-to-be are not advised to curtail normal activities such as going to work, travelling on public transport, or attending events and family gatherings.

They are advised to take the following steps to reduce their risk of infection and complications:

observe good hand hygiene (frequent use of soap and water or sanitizer)
wherever possible, avoid contact with someone who is known or suspected to have swine flu
if they have flu-like symptoms, to make early contact with their General Practitioner who may advise treatment with antiviral drugs
Some mothers-to-be may wish to continue their day-to-day activities but exercise their choice now, on a highly precautionary basis, to avoid large densely populated gatherings where they have little control over personal contact.

When the pandemic reaches its height (probably in the autumn) as many as 1 in 3 people may be affected. At that point, the Chief Medical Officer may make a more specific recommendation to mothers-to-be and others (such as those on chemotherapy) with weakened immune systems to avoid densely populated gatherings.

There is no need for other family members (partners and children) to take special precautions but they should also practise good hygiene.

Swine Flu : Precautions at schools

Swine Flu : Precautions at schools

•Avoid close contact with people who are sick
•People who are sick with an influenza-like illness should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel, for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine). Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
•Wash your hands often
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

Swine Flu Prevention

Swine Flu Prevention

Influenza antiviral drugs also can be used to prevent influenza when they are given to a person who is not ill, but who has been or may be near a person with swine influenza. When used to prevent the flu, antiviral drugs are about 70% to 90% effective. When used for prevention, the number of days that they should be used will vary depending on a person’s particular situation.

Follow this general procedure to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus, you should:

•Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue
•Throw the tissue away quickly and carefully
•Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
•Clean hard surfaces (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product
•Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick. Do not go to work or school while ill
•Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone, except to seek medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
•Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated
•Wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – when sharing common spaces with other household members to help prevent spreading the virus to others.

Prevention of pig to human transmission

Swine can be infected by both avian and human influenza strains of influenza, and therefore are hosts where the antigenic shifts can occur that create new influenza strains.

The transmission from swine to human is believed to occur mainly in swine farms where farmers are in close contact with live pigs. Although strains of swine influenza are usually not able to infect humans this may occasionally happen, so farmers and veterinarians are encouraged to use a face mask when dealing with infected animals. The use of vaccines on swine to prevent their infection is a major method of limiting swine to human transmission. Risk factors that may contribute to swine-to-human transmission include smoking and not wearing gloves when working with sick animals.

Prevention of human to human transmission
Influenza spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth. Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food. The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days for analysis.

Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public. Chance of transmission is also reduced by disinfecting household surfaces, which can be done effectively with a diluted chlorine bleach solution.

Experts agree that hand-washing can help prevent viral infections, including ordinary influenza and the swine flu virus. Influenza can spread in coughs or sneezes, but an increasing body of evidence shows small droplets containing the virus can linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria. Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should contact a doctor for advice.

Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community. Public health and other responsible authorities have action plans which may request or require social distancing actions depending on the severity of the outbreak.

Vaccination
Vaccines are available for different kinds of Swine Flu. Although the current trivalent influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the new 2009 H1N1 strain, vaccines against the new strain are being developed and could be ready as early as June 2009.

Swine Flu treatment

Swine Flu treatment

Antiviral drugs can be used to treat swine flu or to prevent infection with swine flu viruses. The anti-viral medicines oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) are being used to treat people with swine flu. Antiviral drugs work by preventing the flu virus from reproducing. To be effective you need to take them within 48 hours of the symptoms beginning. These flu drugs can decrease the duration of the flu by 1 to 2 days if used within this early time period. These antivirals are usually given for a period of about 5-7 days. It’s unclear whether these drugs can prevent complications of the flu. Tamiflu is approved for prevention and treatment in people 1 year old and older. Relenza is approved for treatment of people 7 years old and older and for prevention in people 5 years old and older. These medications must be prescribed by a health care professional.

Side effects: Side effects of antiviral drugs may include nervousness, poor concentration, nausea, and vomiting. Relenza is not recommended for people with a history of breathing problems, such as asthma, because it may cause a worsening of breathing problems. Discuss side effects with your doctor.

Self medication: Antibiotics are a no-no. Chances are that antibiotics will not help your flu symptoms. That’s because flu, colds, and most sore throats and bronchitis are caused by viruses. In addition, taking antibiotics when you have a virus may do more harm than good. Taking antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics only cure certain infections due to bacteria — and if taken carelessly, you may get more serious health problems than you bargained for.

Is there a vaccine to treat swine flu virus? No, there isn’t a vaccine yet. But vaccines are being made in large quantities. Clinical tests will begin in August 2009. Depending on how long federal officials wait for the results of these tests, tens of millions of doses of swine flu vaccine could be ready as soon as September 2009, with more vaccine becoming available each month thereafter. The first doses of vaccine likely will go to pregnant women and young children ages 6 months to 4 years, with older school kids to follow.

If a person becomes sick with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the illness milder and make the patient feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). Beside antivirals, supportive care at home or in hospital, focuses on controlling fevers, relieving pain and maintaining fluid balance, as well as identifying and treating any secondary infections or other medical problems. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses; however, the majority of people infected with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs. The virus isolates in the 2009 outbreak have been found resistant to amantadine and rimantadine.

In the U.S., on April 27, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorizations to make available Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral drugs to treat the swine influenza virus in cases for which they are currently unapproved. The agency issued these EUAs to allow treatment of patients younger than the current approval allows and to allow the widespread distribution of the drugs, including by non-licensed volunteers.

Swine Flu : Gujarat is doing well

Despite the health scare caused by the swine flu deaths in the country, Gujarat is doing quite well in its fight against the disease. Of the 470 people who were tested for H1N1 infection in the state till August 21, 376 had tested negative. This means 80% of the suspected cases of swine flu in Gujarat have been found to be free of the virus after tests.

Further, Gujarat health and family welfare department reported that only one suspected case of the disease had tested positive for swine flu in the state on Friday. Medical experts believe that the main reason why not many have died of the disease in the state is the promptness with which the state government reacted to the epidemic threat.

Besides setting up a government testing centre in Ahmedabad, the government also set up isolation wards in several government hospitals across the state. Its urgency of purpose became clear when it finally invoked the Epidemic Act-1897.

“Another reason why it has been possible to contain the spread of swine flu in the state is that the epidemic hit India much after it had struck other countries,” said Dr Atul Patel, an infectious diseases expert. “Indian health authorities were able to learn from the experience of other nations and were better prepared to deal with the epidemic.”

Meanwhile, sources in the state health department said private hospitals which had agreed to work with the state government in treating H1N1 cases had been granted permission to collect throat swabs and blood samples and send them for confirmatory tests to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital.

Until now, medical technicians from the Civil Hospital went to the private hospital concerned to collect the samples for testing. Medical Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Dr MM Anchalia, said medical technicians from the private hospitals had been given training in collecting swabs and blood samples of suspected cases of swine flu.

AP govt MoU with private hospitals to treat swine flu

The government of India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with private hospitals including Apollo Hospitals and Global here for allocating ten beds for treatment of swine flu patients.

According to the District Health and Medical Officer (DHMO) of Hyderabad, Dr Jayakumari, as per the MOU the private hospitals will allocate ten beds for swine flu patients.

Meanwhile, 417 persons were Friday screened at the eight screening centres and five persons have displayed suspected flu like symptoms. There samples have been sent to the Institute of Preventive Medicine for test.

Superintendent of AP Chest Hospital, Dr S V Prasad, said, a total of four cases were presently under treatment at the hospital. They include two confirmed cases and two suspects, awaiting reports. All others have been treated and sent home, he added.

Armyman tests positive for swine flu in Assam

An army jawan tested positive for swine flu in Assam today, the second confirmed case of flu in the state.

Nayak Raj Kumar Sinha had complained of swine flu symptoms and his samples sent for testing to the Indian Council of Medical Research at Lahowal in Dibrugarh which came out positive, Regional Director of Union Ministry of Health Parthajyoti Gogoi told PTI.

51-year old Sinha is currently being treated at the isolation ward of Army Base Hospital at Bashistha here.

Earlier, 21-year old Dheeraj Yadav had tested positive and was undergoing treatment at the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital here where his condition was stated to be stable.

Assam’s Joint Director of Health Services Dr G P Sarma said the state health department had so far sent 43 samples for testing.

WHO says swine flu is now spreading rapidly in India

WHO says swine flu is now spreading rapidly through the community in India, instead of from moving person to person.

Community spread essentially means measures like airport screening and contact tracing may not be that effective any more. Although this could free up health workers to take care of confirmed cases, the government is still sticking to tracking down suspect cases.

But the rapid spread of swine flu virus in India isn’t the big worry for WHO.

They say the states aren’t doing enough.

Says Salim Habayeb, WHO representative to India: Centre has done well but in the end health is a state subject and that’s where the situation is worrisome. States remain a weak link.”

WHO believes there was confusion at first about the best possible way to deal with the virus. While some others just took too long to react.

But badly-hit states like Maharashtra disagree. Says Sharvaree Gokhale, Principal Secretary (Health) Maharashtra: “We have done as well as we possibly could. You look at the web and tell me which countries have done better.”

But as swine flu spreads, it’s perhaps time for the 178 affected countries to start learning from each other.

Seven-month-old Swine flu victim died in Mumbai

MUMBAI: The city recorded its second swine flu death after a gap of 10 days when seven-month-old Modia, who tested H1N1-positive on Sunday and was on Tamiflu, died at Noor Hospital in Byculla on Tuesday. Fehmida Panwalla, who passed away on August 8 at Kasturba Hospital, was the first casualty (the BMC insists Syeda Dorjiwala, who died on August 10, was not infected by the virus).

The Byculla family, which lost its baby to swine flu, feels she may have caught the infection from the hospital since Dorjiwala (63) died in the same hospital. However, health officials ruled out the possibility since there was a gap of four days between Dorjiwala’s death and the baby’s admission. Modia’s father told TOI that she had been ill for a month, was discharged from Noor Hospital a week ago and then re-admitted on Friday. ‘‘The doctors diagnosed H1N1 only on Sunday,’’ the aggrieved father told TOI.

Despite Modia’s death and the fact that two persons are on ventilator support in Kasturba Hospital — a 27-year-old Mira Road resident who delivered a stillborn baby on Monday and a 35-year-old man who was transferred from a private hospital in Ghatkopar on Tuesday — BMC officials used statistics to present a picture of improvement.

BMC additional commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar told TOI that the Mira Road resident was responding to treatment. Two men who were previously critical had been weaned off the ventilator. ‘‘Also, the administration distributed Tamiflu dosages to 15 private hospitals, which are expected to start screening on Wednesday,’’ she said.

Moreover, only 1,243 people turned up on Tuesday at the 12 civic hospitals screening for H1N1, thereby proving that the panic over swine flu was subsiding, said Mhaiskar. ‘‘We have so far screened 30,342 people. Of these, throat swabs of 3,011 patients were taken and 414 of these have tested positive for H1N1,’’ she added. The fact that most of the 2,000-odd swab samples sent to Haffkine Institute in Parel have not yet been tested was not mentioned in this update.

The BMC also gave a break-up of the first 220 patients who had tested positive for H1N1. ‘‘We have completed the contact tracing of these 220 patients, comprising 130 men and 90 women,’’ she said. Of the 130 men, 84 were adults, 43 were children under 14 years of age and three whose age wasn’t listed.

Among the women, 55 were adults and 33 were children. Regarding Mira Road patient, BMC officials clarified that when she first went to Bhagwati Hospital in Borivli on Aug 13, she did not fit criteria of flu infection.

Swine flu and homoeopathy

AT A time when swine flu has been the subject of much ‘Breaking News’ all over, we, being the literate and responsible Indians should be ultra-careful to tackle the issue. Very few among us know that the long-term remedy is available in India. The oldest mode of medicine or alternative medicine, i.e., homoeopathy, has a possible cure for the much-talked about swine flu. While there is fear among people about the disease, an ancient medical treatment procedure can be very effective in addressing the likely issues of prevention and cure of the disease. No matter that homeopathic treatment offer a slow process of curing any disease, its practitioners still consider it to be effective in treating swine flu. As per various reliable reports, homeopathy can both prevent and cure swine flu, without any side effects. In this type of treatment, medication is prescribed based on symptoms.

Most of the doctors who practice this alternative medicine system in India claim that homoeopathy is one of the safest methods to tackle the issue in the long run. As against modern allopathy, there are few takers for homeopathic medicines even if it claims to provide cent percent treatment. In the old books of medicine, swine flu is termed vatashlesmic and is reported to have safe medications to combat the disease. This alternative form of medicine, homoeopathy, works on the basis of symptoms and not the disease. If there was an epidemic and if the symptoms of some sick people of an area were addressed by proper medication, then a common trend would prevail, lessening the illness during the treatment regimen. This same medication then, if given to people of that area, can act as a preventive medicine.

As per latest news, homeopaths are now all set to forward a proposal to the health ministry to offer their services in tackling the spread of the influenza A (H1N1) virus. On the basis of the symptoms, homeopathy can offer an effective cure to swine flu. Swine flu is an acute and highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the orthomyxovirus. It is a respiratory disease related mainly to pigs. Orthomyxovirus regularly causes eruptions of influenza in pigs. The swine flu virus cause high levels of sickness, but low rates of death among pigs. The swine flu virus has the tendency to circulate among swine throughout the year. In a nutshell, people should know the following about swine flu – Symptoms: running nose, fever, sneezing and dullness. Primary symptoms are very similar to that of influenza. On the basis of symptoms like cough, cold, sore throat and fever, one cannot be considered as a patient of swine flu. So, there is no need to panic. Target: persons having significant risk of catching flu in general include the following: young children, older people having less immunity, pregnant women, persons with chronic health problems (such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease). But it has often been seen in the past that during various epidemics, most people who succumb to this dreadful disease are healthy young adults.

So, it’s important that healthy people should also maintain their overall health and diet. Complications of swine flu include sinus infections, ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia. Transmission is through coughing, sneezing, kissing, the touching of infected objects, the touching of the nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands. The age-old proverb ‘Prevention is better than cure’ stands effective in this period of time. Giving respect to this, the following measures could be adopted: There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy. In addition: 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 more 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. Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly through coughing or sneezing. If you get sick, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home. Moreover, it is advisable to limit contacts with others to stop any likelihood of spreading or contracting he virus. For the sake of prevention, one can also have tea or hot water with black tulsi leaves added to it. Other hygienic practices include the use of masks and tissue paper.

Most importantly, one need not get carried away by fear of contracting swine flu. Stress is the main factor that can undermine one’s immune system. It is important to note that flu doesn’t kill everyone. Yoga, meditation, mild exercise and nutritious diets can help keep one’s immune system in good condition and can ward off infection. Most infections are taken care of by our body even before we know that we are infected. So instead of panicking about the flu, we need to stay calm and focused on continuing to be a healthy nation. Most importantly, the need of the hour is to spread preventive measures. Moreover, the media, instead of spreading panic through ‘Breaking News’, should try to spread awareness on how to tackle the issue.

Campaign launched in northeast to allay swine flu fears

AGARTALA/SHILLONG/AIZWAL: As the swine flu panic spreads, authorities in Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram have taken up a major publicity campaign to allay fears of the fast spreading influenza A (H1N1) virus in India. So far, 10 people have tested positive for the virus in the northeast.

Public awareness campaigns have been started across the three northeastern states while the authorities have taken a string of measures to treat the swine flu victims, if any. The government’s campaign started after panic stricken people thronged drug stores to buy surgical masks and Tamiflu drugs earlier this week.

“A lot of panic has been created in the last several days after two people tested positive for swine flu in Mizoram. There is no cause for people to go into panic mode,” said Vanhela Pachuau, Mizoram chief secretary. “Following media reports, the people’s panic has been caused by ignorance and it is unnecessary. There is no need for them to wear face masks,” he said at a press conference Wednesday.

According to the chief secretary, the relatives of the two victims had already faced social stigma while patients at the Falkawn Referral Hospital and locals objected to the two swine flu infected people being treated at the hospital. 10 people, including an army soldier and a paramilitary trooper, have tested positive for swine flu in Meghalaya (5), Mizoram (2), Assam (2) and Manipur (1).”All the swine flu patients have already been admitted in isolation wards of the hospitals. Their condition is not that critical and there is no reason to panic,” said a doctor.

The Tripura government held a review meeting with doctors, experts and top civil administration officials. “On the advice of the union health ministry, all the states in the northeast have been put on swine flu alert to prevent outbreak of the disease and a number of observation centres set up at the border check posts and airports,” said Y.P. Singh, Tripura government’s principal secretary in charge of the health department.

“The situation was creating more panic than the actual ground reality,” said Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills Sanjay Goyal. Goyal stressed the need to sensitize the people about the disease, although no case has been detected in the remote district so far. Indian Medical Association (IMA) in association with All Tripura government doctors Association held a seminar in Agartala Wednesday.

“Swine flu was noticed first in 1918 and that time it was called Spanish flu, which had spread globally killing over 50 million people in various countries including India,” said expert Subrata Baidya. Baidya told the seminar that in 1919, over 700,000 people had fallen victim in India.

Doctors and experts while addressing the seminar said that in India two people die of tuberculosis every three minutes, 6,301 die daily due to heart trouble. While diabetes claims the lives of 2,740 daily, about 290 people die due to tobacco-related diseases every day. So no panic should be created over influenza A (H1N1), which is just one of the many viruses in the environment.

Several teams of experts from the central health ministry are now visiting the northeastern states to train doctors and to supervise the treatment facilities developed and available in these states.

“Following the direction of the union health ministry, one hospital in each district of the seven northeastern states has been equipped to treat patients infected with H1N1 virus,” said A.C. Dey, one of the experts from New Delhi.

Important information about swine flu

Swine flu is the common name given to a new strain of influenza (flu). It is called swine flu because it is thought to have originated in pigs, but this is not certain.

The most common symptoms are a fever, sore throat, diarrhoea, headache, feeling generally unwell and a dry cough. In other words, the symptoms are very similar to seasonal (regular) flu. Most people recover within a week, even without special treatment.

Pandemic

The virus was first identified in Mexico in April 2009. It has since become a pandemic, which means it has spread around the globe. It has spread quickly because it is a new type of flu virus that few, if any, people have full resistance to.

Flu pandemics are a natural event that occur from time to time. Last century, there were flu pandemics in 1918, 1957 and 1968, when millions of people died across the world.

In most cases the virus has proved relatively mild. However, around the world hundreds of people have died and it is not yet clear how big a risk the virus is. For this reason, and because all viruses can mutate to become more potent (stronger), scientists are saying we need to be careful.

The situation in the UK

The number of new cases of swine flu in England continued to drop last week, with an estimated 5,000 new cases reported. This compares to an estimated 11,000 the week before. So far, 65 people have died in the UK.

The UK formally moved from a containment to a treatment phase for swine flu on July 2 2009. Intensive efforts to contain swine flu, for example through automatic school closures, ended. This was to free up capacity to treat the people who are contracting swine flu daily.

As in other countries, most of the cases reported so far in the UK have been mild. Only a small number have led to serious illness, and these have often been in patients with existing health problems, such as cancer, that already weakened their immune systems.

Some people believe that the government should only give antivirals to those who are most at risk of developing serious complications from swine flu. In other words, if people are otherwise healthy, the virus should be treated with with paracetamol and bed rest until the person is better, as you would with normal flu.

However, the government’s Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) believes that there is still some doubt about the risks of the virus. For example, there are reports of some cases in Argentina where young, healthy adults have become extremely ill from swine flu.

While there is still this doubt, the government has decided to offer the antiviral medicines Tamiflu or Relenza to everyone who is confirmed with swine flu.

High-risk groups

Some people are more at risk of complications if they catch swine flu, and need to start taking antivirals as soon as it is confirmed that they have the illness. Doctors may advise some high-risk patients to take antivirals before they have symptoms, if someone close to them has swine flu.

It is already known that people are particularly vulnerable if they have:

• chronic (long-term) lung disease,
• chronic heart disease,
• chronic kidney disease,
• chronic liver disease,
• chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease),
• immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment), or
• diabetes mellitus.

Also at risk are:

• patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years,
• pregnant women,
• people aged 65 and over, and
• children under five.

Swine flu vaccine

Scientists have now developed a vaccine for swine flu, but it isn’t available yet.

The first batches of vaccine are expected to be available in October, and 30 million double doses (enough for half the population) are expected by the end of the year.

The government has ordered enough vaccine for the whole population. It will focus on those at the greatest risk first. The vaccine will initially be given to the following groups, in this order:

• People aged between six months and 65 years who usually get the seasonal flu jab.
• Pregnant women, subject to licensing. The European Medicines Agency, who license the vaccine, will indicate whether it can be given to all pregnant women or whether it should only be offered at certain stages of pregnancy.
• People who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.
• People aged 65 and over who usually get the seasonal flu jab.

For more information, go to the Vaccination: Q&A.

To stop the virus spreading

Although the UK has moved to a treatment phase for swine flu, it is important that people continue to do everything they can to stop the virus from spreading.

The most important way is to have good respiratory and hand hygiene. In other words, always sneeze in to a tissue, and quickly put it in a bin. Wash your hands and home and work surfaces regularly and thoroughly to kill the virus.

Timeline: World History of Viral Pandemics: 412BC to 2009

When observing the swine flu outbreak happening today, it’s helpful to have some historical context. Viral pandemics are not unusual, and talking about one isn’t “alarmist.” Pandemics are a regular feature of life on earth, and they occur with surprising regularity throughout world history.

Wherever there are masses of people, there are opportunities for viruses to spread. It is especially important to note that even with all of today’s “advanced” medical technology (which really isn’t that advanced in many ways), today’s swine flu virus eluded all the world’s infectious disease authorities, spreading to more than seven different countries before it even appeared on the CDC’s radar. Modern technology, it turns out, is no more effective at halting the spread of swine flu than having no technology at all.

Here’s a timeline of all the larger pandemics recorded throughout human history. This timeline is borrowed from the book How to Beat the Bird Flu by Mike Adams. The full book can be purchased in downloadable or hardcopy editions at http://www.TruthPublishing.com.

412 BC – Major epidemic of a disease (which, although not called influenza, probably was influenza) recorded by Hippocrates.

1357 AD – The term, “influenza,” from the Italian word meaning “influence,” was coined. Popular belief at that time blamed the development of flu on the influence of the stars.

1485 – “Sweating sickness,” a flu-like malady, sickens hundreds of thousands of people in Britain. The Lord Mayor of London, his successor and six aldermen die. The Royal Navy cannot leave port due to the sickness of sailors. Doctors prescribe tobacco juice, lime juice, emetics, cathartics and bleeding as treatments for the disease.

1580 – First recorded influenza pandemic begins in Europe and spreads to Asia and Africa.

1700s – Influenza pandemics in 1729-1730, 1732-1733, 1781-1782.

1781 – Major epidemic causing high mortality among the elderly spreads across Russia from Asia.

1830 – Major epidemic causing high mortality among the elderly spreads across Russia from Asia.

1831, 1833-1834 – Influenza pandemics hit.

1847-1848 – Influenza sweeps through the Mediterranean to southern France and then continues across in Western Europe.

1878 – A disease causing high mortality in poultry becomes known as the “fowl plague.” Fowl plague is now called HPAI avian influenza.

1889-1890 – The “Russian flu” spreads through Europe and reaches North America in 1890.

1900 – Major epidemic.

1918-1919 – The “Spanish Flu” circles the globe (though some experts think it may have started in the U.S.). Caused by an H1N1 flu virus, it is the worst influenza pandemic (and subsequently, epidemic) to date. There are more than half a million U.S. deaths; worldwide death estimates range from 20 million to 100 million. According to WebMD, “The pandemic comes before the era of antibiotics — which are now essential in treating the secondary bacterial infections that often kill flu-weakened patients — so it’s difficult to say whether this flu would have the same dreadful impact in the modern world. But it is a very frightening disease, with very high death rates among young, previously healthy adults.”

Information about the Swine Flu and the Flu Vaccine

In the midst of this current Swine Flu pandemic, many are wondering what they can do other than wash their hands and avoid contact with other people, as the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organizations both advise. In the past, Americans have been advised to get flu shots but no flu shot exists for this strain of influenza. Science, esteemed medical journals, and the CDC itself do not believe that previous vaccines have been effective against the flu.

The Center for Disease Control`s own studies show they believe the flu vaccine to be only 16%-63% effective against the flu. This percentage is the same as those who do not have the flu shot. For instance, in the 2003-04 season, 147 children under 18 died of the flu. Of those, 22 had received at least one flu shot, and four had received multiple flu shots. That means that the percentage of immunized children who died was 22% of all children. If the flu shot is only 16% effective at best, your odds are the same with or without the flu shot. In addition, the children who died were mostly immune suppressed, either transplant patients, or chronically ill. Normal healthy children do not usually die from the flu.

The esteemed medical journal, LANCET, (October 1, 2005) reviewed all of the studies that tested vaccines for the flu. The article concluded that flu shots do not prevent the flu or “influenza-like illness” or pneumonia in the elderly population. Another LANCET article (February 26, 2005) analyzed every available reference published worldwide in any language. Of the twenty four studies, none of those showed that there were reductions in deaths or complications, and none even showed prevention of the flu by vaccines, or flu medications.

If you think that will increase your immunity, then get a flu shot. Other ways you can increase your immunity include drinking plenty of liquid and getting plenty of rest and exercise. You choose: injecting your body with viruses or sleeping, exercising and eating.

NBC`s Today Show (10/6/04) warned that the flu kills about 36,000 people every year in the United States, but even the CDC itself questions the numbers of flu deaths it reports. CDC spokesman, Mr. Curtis Allen debunked these numbers himself.

“There are a couple of problems with determining the number of deaths related to the flu because most people don`t die from influenza – they die from complications of influenza – so the numbers [of deaths] are based on mathematical formulas. We don`t know exactly how many people get the flu each year because it`s not a reportable disease and most physicians don`t do the test [nasal swab] to indicate whether [the symptoms are caused by] influenza.”

Homeopathy was nearly effective in treating the Flu of 1918. Many herbs, especially adaptogens, are proving useful to build immunity. Vitamin C has a long list of studies proving its effectiveness in building immunity and healing the flu. Further information about how to build immunity has been presented in previous articles (see links below).

Govt. to pay for 20 per cent cost of mega development projects under PPP model

New Delhi: Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy on Wednesday said the government is ready to offer 20 percent of the cost of mega development projects if taken up as a public-private partnership (PPP).

Reddy said that in Mumbai some metro rail projects have been taken up as a private-public partnership and Hyderabad is also following suit.

The government is ready to encourage such gigantic projects so that they become commercially viable.

“In cases where such schemes are taken up, such gigantic schemes in PPP (Public Private Partnership) model we are giving 20 percent of the total cost of project by way of subsidies so that these mega projects can become commercially viable,” said Jaipal Reddy in the capital.

Reddy had earlier suggested an equity between the central and state governments, on the lines of the Delhi Metro model, which, in fact, had been considered and shelved earlier by the Mumbai etropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Andhra admits to 20 farmers committing suicide in 40 days

Hyderabad  : The Andhra Pradesh Government has admitted that 20 farmers committed suicide in the state over the last 40 days.//
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The State Government, however, maintained that the actual reasons for the suicide were yet to be ascertained.

A communiqui issued by the Chief Minister’s office, admitted the fact. It also states that Chief Minister Y. S. Rajashekhar Reddy has announced the compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the families of those who committed suicide.

Reddy has asked all the district collectors to work for the speedy distribution of the compensation and also to submit a report on the farmers’ death to the State Government immediately.

The communiqui also criticized the opposition Telugu Desam Party for stating that 70 farmers have ended their lives because of drought.

Reddy has constituted a Group of Ministers (GoM) to study the drought situation in the state and to recommend remedial measures.

Website of Football Players Association of India launched

New Delhi, Aug 28 : A website of Football Players Association of India (FPAI) was launched in New Delhi.

Launching the website, Indian football team captain Baichung Bhutia hoped it would unite the football community across the country and popularise the sport among the masses.

“It’s here to help the game, also mainly it’s obviously for the welfare of the players but at the end of the day to come together, share our issues, let our issues be known and just grow the game altogether,” he added.

The website http://www.fpaofindia.com will provide football fans a glimpse into the daily life of Indian football stars, and keep them abreast of the ongoing events.

Bhutia, who has become the first Indian footballer to play 100 international matches, said that the FPAI would work in line with the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the players’ body in England, for the benefit of the players even after their retirement.

“If you look into the PF in England it’s one of the biggest association. Players Football Association in England is really big and I think we want to do that kind of work for the benefit of the players during their careers and after their careers as well,” he added.

The website will carry all the latest news, interviews with leading players beginning with Bhutia, a photo gallery, an event calendar and host chats.

Formed in 2006, the FPAI has been registered with Fipro, the international body for football players which has signed an MoU with FIFA.

Job insecurity causes health problems among workers

Washington, Aug 28: Constant job insecurity could take a toll on the health of workers, revealed a study.

Using long-term data from two nationally representative sample surveys of the U.S. population, the researchers assessed the impact of chronic job insecurity apart from actual job loss.

“Dramatic changes in the U.S. labor market have weakened bonds between employers and employees and fueled perceptions of job insecurity,” said University of Michigan sociologist Sarah Burgard.

“This study provides the strongest evidence to date that persistent job insecurity has a negative impact on worker health. In fact, chronic job insecurity was a stronger predictor of poor health than either smoking or hypertension in one of the groups we studied,” she added.

The researchers analysed data on more than 1,700 adults, collected over periods from three to 10 years.

They interviewed the same people at different points in time to disentangle the connection between poor health and job insecurity, and to control for the impact of actual job loss and other factors.

One of the studies was conducted between 1986 and 1989, the other between 1995 and 2005.

“It may seem surprising that chronically high job-insecurity is more strongly linked with health declines than actual job loss or unemployment. But there are a number of reasons why this is the case. Ongoing ambiguity about the future, inability to take action unless the feared event actually happens, and the lack of institutionalised supports associated with perceived insecurity are among them,” said Burgard.

To measure feelings of job insecurity, participants in one study were asked: “How likely is that during the next couple of years you will involuntarily lose your main job?”

Participants in the other study were asked: “If you wanted to stay in your present job, what are the chances you could keep it for the next two years.”

It was found that at any given time, as many as 18 percent of those surveyed felt insecure about their jobs.

However, only about 5 percent of respondents in the first survey and 3 percent of respondents in the second survey reported feeling anxious about their jobs both times they were interviewed.

According to Burgard, the findings have potential implications for both policy and intervention.

“Programs designed for displaced or unemployed workers are unlikely to solve the problems faced by workers who are still employed but are persistently insecure about their jobs. When you consider that not only income but so many of the important benefits that give Americans some piece of mind-including health insurance and retirement benefits-are tied to employment for most people, it’s understandable that persistent job insecurity is so stressful,” she said.

“We need to learn more about the conditions that generate or change worker perceptions of their job insecurity. Then organizations might want to intervene to reduce perceptions of insecurity or perhaps broader governmental policies might help to mitigate the degree of stress associated with perceived job insecurity. Additional acute and chronic strains at work and in other areas of life might also worsen or mitigate the health impact of long-term job insecurity.

“Certainly job insecurity is nothing new, but the numbers experiencing persistent job insecurity could be considerably higher during this global recession, so these findings could apply much more broadly today than they did even a few years ago,” she added.

The study appears in the September issue of the peer-reviewed journal Social Science and Medicine.