Swine Flu info.........

[King Silk]

Swine Flu (A H1N1 2009)- Infectivity and Virulence by Dr. Iain Corness

When looking at any epidemic it is important to differentiate between “infectivity” and “virulence”.

Infectivity

When any infection spreads quickly throughout the world, its infectivity is high. The World Health Organization (WHO) has several levels in looking at the infectivity, with the top one being Level 6 and this is called a “pandemic”.
WHO has now declared Swine Flu to be a pandemic (Level 6). WHO's declaration of a Level 6 pandemic simply means the virus is spreading across the world.
WHO chief Dr Margaret Chan said the pandemic declaration did not mean the virus was causing more severe illness or more deaths. The WHO levels do not predict the severity of a virus.
It means the swine flu virus is spreading in at least two regions of the world with rising cases being seen in the UK, Australia, Japan and Chile. Currently, it has been detected in 74 countries.
As I write this, there has been around 30,000 cases identified globally, but there are probably more.

Virulence

The virulence of any virus refers to just how powerful it is, and ultimately, how likely it is to be lethal.
Out of the 30,000 cases of Swine Flu, there have been less than 150 deaths world-wide, so whilst the virus is spreading, there is currently no evidence that it is very virulent, or increasing in its severity.
It should be remembered that every year in the United States, on average:
5 to 20 percent of the population gets the ‘flu’;
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications; and
about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
Compare that with the 150 deaths from A H1N1 2009.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Rapid blood tests are available to test for Seasonal Flu A and Flu B. Those who test positive for Flu A can then be further screened for A H1N1 2009.
There is medication which can be taken to reduce the symptoms of all viral flu infections.
Immunization is recommended for Flu A and Flu B, though currently there is no vaccine for A H1N1 2009, but this is currently being developed.

General precautions to avoid Flu A 2009 Flu

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through ‘droplet infection’ by coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Stay home if you get sick. Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

[mayotom]

Oh Crap!!! where do I go to get tested. Got all those Symptoms

[King Silk]

Originally Posted by mayotom

Oh Crap!!! where do I go to get tested. Got all those Symptoms

If you have a lot of Cash Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. Or the one actually in Bangkok.

[ROKZY]

Funny thing... the only people whom I know that had the flu last year also had the flu vaccine... but that's beside the point....
Is the medical assination able to culture for the swine flu? .. or they still calling it swine flu when the regular flu could be the culpret?