Questions About H1N1 Influenza and Pets
The H1N1 influenza virus infection has caused a great stir worldwide. It has generated concern for our own health as well as the health of our loved ones. In addition, it is becoming increasingly evident that the H1N1 virus is capable of causing illness for our pets and many pet owners have questions about their pet’s health in relation to the flu virus.
What is the H1N1 influenza virus? The H1N1 influenza virus is the virus responsible for the flu strain originally known as “swine flu”. The infection has been diagnosed throughout the world. Flu-like respiratory symptoms are the most common sign of the disease. However, complications can occur with this influenza strain and it has been deadly for a great number of people worldwide.
Which species of pets can become infected with the H1N1 virus? As of December 1, 2009, the H1N1 influenza virus is known to be able to infect dogs, cats, ferrets, pigs and turkeys. Other species may also be found to susceptible in time. This is an emerging disease with new information becoming available on a regular basis.
What signs will my pet show if he is infected with the H1N1 virus? Flu-like respiratory symptoms are characteristic of H1N1 infection. Sick pets may cough, sneeze, breath heavily and/or have a runny nose. As with people, it is possible for complications to occur causing the virus to be fatal to pets. For this reason, it is vital that your pet be examined by a veterinarian if any of these symptoms are noted. Because there are numerous other diseases which may cause similar symptoms, diagnostic testing may need to be performed to properly identify the cause of your pet’s illness.
Should pet owners consider getting rid of their pets? No, there is no need to panic. It is obvious that the H1N1 strain of virus can be passed from people to pets. Infections have occurred in this manner for most if not all of the sick pets. However, we do not know whether the virus can be passed from pets to people or how likely this is to occur. Either way, the danger of exposure to the virus from your pet is no greater than the danger of exposure from other people.
How can pet owners protect their pets? Pet owners should monitor their pet’s health closely and have their pet examined by a veterinarian if respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, wheezing or a runny nose develop. Adequate hygiene and sanitation, including washing your hands frequently and covering your cough, will help protect your pet in the same way it helps protect other people. If possible, avoid contact between your pet and sick people, especially those with flu-like symptoms.
Is it safe to eat pork or poultry since these species have been found infected with H1N1? Yes, there is no reason to believe that there is any danger from eating pork or poultry which is properly prepared and thoroughly cooked. Proper preparation of the food and hygienic food handling techniques remain important, as always, to prevent food-borne disease of any type.
I’ve heard some wild animals may be infected. Are wildlife parks and zoos safe for people to visit? There is a report of a cheetah which may have been infected with the H1N1 virus. However, there is no need to avoid visiting wildlife parks or zoos.
What else is known about the H1N1 virus? The H1N1 virus was originally dubbed “swine flu” because of its resemblance to the influenza virus that infects pigs. It also bears similarities to other strains of influenza viruses which infect people and avian species. However, it is distinctly different than other strains of virus and is unique.
Why is it so worrisome that this virus can infect so many different animal species? Researchers and health officials are concerned that the ability to infect many different species will give this strain of influenza virus access to an extremely wide gene pool which could increase its ability to mutate into a much more virulent strain of influenza, potentially becoming more deadly than it is currently. Influenza viruses in general are well-known for their ability to mutate easily and quickly.
Things To Note About Tamiflu
If you inhale the air that contains the sick person’s droplets, you can acquire the same flu. Then, you too can infect other people in the simplest way possible. You can do this if you don’t cover you mouth and your nose when you sneeze or when you cough. Perhaps you already know it, influenza H1N1 could be passed on to people the same way simply because it is a kind of flu.
The other implication of swine flu being very similar to the common flu is that there are no direct cures to it. The most that your flu drugs can do is to bring you relief from the disease’s unlike accompanying symptoms. This is exactly the reason why medical experts suggest preventive measures that people should start following. You can stop swine flu from spreading in your system using tamiflu.
The other name of this drug is Oseltamivir. Its manufacturer Roche, made this available to the market because it is an effective drug that works to slow down spread of the non-resistant strains of the influenza (flu) virus between cells in the body. When the virus are hindered from infecting cells in the body, you can expect symptoms of flu like stuffy nose, coughing, a sore throat, fever, chills, aches and tiredness to diminish. Now that the disease is proclaimed to reach the level of a pandemic, many people want to have their own supplies of tamiflu.
Not only is it effective in stopping the spread of the virus in the infected person, tamiflu can also be taken in by people who might have come contact to those who are sick with the virus so that they are saved even before they are diagnosed. Tamiflu could also be used against Avian flu.
However, like any other medicine, you need to be aware of the following conditions before taking in tamiflu. First of all, you can’t buy tamiflu over the counter; you need a prescription for it. Before the drug has been proclaimed safe to use it underwent different tests. When it was given to pregnant animals, it caused defects to the animal births. This is the reason why pregnant and nursing women are not advised to use this flu drug. They are not the only exceptions to who can take this drug. There are different medical ailments that could interfere with the drug’s effectiveness. Such ailments include kidney ailments, heart problems and other viral infections besides influenza A or B. If you buy tamiflu and begin treatment be sure to consult with your doctor first.
The dosage and the schedule of intake is based on the doctors findings that’s why you shouldn’t ignore what he or she says if you want to be healed soon. When you take in tamiflu, it doesn’t matter if you have eaten or not as the drug doesn’t cause stomach upsets. However, it’s always better to fill your stomach first like you do when you take in other medicines. Do everything to stick by your schedule so as not to overdose or miss a dose. It’s also common among flu drugs to cause side effects. Tamiflu can give you headaches, fatigue, insomnia and dizziness among others.
Because the drug is in demand, sometimes local drugstores run out of stock. But there’s nothing to worry about because you can already buy tamiflu online. Note however, wherever you buy tamiflu you should follow the precautions involved in taking it.
Categories: Swine Flu Testing Tags: About, Note, Tamiflu, Things
MSNBC – Tamron Hall on NOW Statement about Sonia Sotomayor Nomination (Updated)
tinyurl.com SOTOMAYOR…. It’s possible that all of the major news outlets are all making the same mistake at the same time, but as of this minute, it looks like Sonia Sotomayor will be President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court. … © 2009 Microsoft
Categories: Swine Flu Symptoms Tags: About, Hall, MSNBC, Nomination, Sonia, Sotomayor, Statement, Tamron, Updated
Should you be worried about the H1N1 vaccine risk?
Should you be worried about the H1N1 vaccine risk?
Every year as temperature drops, it is common to see a rise in people catching the flu. However, since the start of the H1N1 pandemic in May, there is an increased and real worry that more people is going to be affected by the flu virus. In American, the impending arrival of the first shipments of H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine, there are divided views about whether could be possible risk.
Why are there worries surrounding the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine? One report indicated the many people feel that the flu vaccine was rushed through development and testing. This may result in any potential side effect. There is also the fear that the vaccine could cause a rare condition called Guillian Bar Syndrome (though there is a 1 in a million chance of that happening) which affect the body. To make matter worst, there are also reports that some health workers are reluctant to take the vaccine.
Between the possibility of getting swine flu and suffering from any side effect of the H1N1 flu vaccine, I would choose not to take the vaccine if I am healthy and well. I would however attempt to improve my immune system with proper nutrients, supplements like Vitamin C and take care of personal hygiene. However, if I am pregnant or have young children, it will be a difficult decision. Would I be irresponsible by not taking the vaccine since the risks in not proven or is it just as irresponsible to subject my children to any possible risk?
What would you do? Would you allow your children to receive the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine? Give your vote below and get Free* $1000 of Walmart gift card.
Four questions and answers about the H1N1 virus for your business internet money online opportunity
Daily we hear about the flu season and the H1N1 swine flu virus. We all ask ourselves the question, should I get the H1N1 flu shot? If I am harmed by the vaccine, what legal recourse do I have? What safety tests have been conducted on the vaccine? These are very important questions to ask yourself. You need to provide the answers given here to your customers visiting your business internet money online opportunity web site.
Here are 4 questions and answers to consider before being vaccinated or panicking about the H1N1 swine flu.
1. If you are harmed by the vaccine do you have any legal recourse in the event of an adverse reaction? In 2001 a law was passed granting those who develop and recommend vaccines during a “health emergency” immunity from any legal prosecution. This law granted the pharmaceutical companies a free pass since without the potential to lose billions of dollars in lawsuits they have far less motivation to spend millions testing the H1N1 vaccine.
2. What safety tests have been completed on the H1N1 vaccine before it will be administered? Though the safety of vaccines in general can be questioned, it usually takes immunologists 18 months to create and test a vaccine, the H1N1 vaccine was developed for distribution in less than 5 months. Testing thus far has included only 6,000 people. Of these, not all have even received the same vaccine with the same ingredients. Also, because testing is done on volunteers there is no way to accurately test the effect of the vaccine on certain age groups such as pregnant mothers, the elderly and those at higher risk. One manufacturer of the H1N1 vaccine admitted to the Associated Press that the vaccine will be available to the public before trial testing is even completed.
3. Which is the higher risk, taking the vaccine or getting the swine flu? Except in those with a severely compromised immune system, the swine flu would likely result in no more than regular flu symptoms and a possible 1 or 2 days missed from work or school. The effect of an adverse reaction to the vaccine can be very severe and possibly fatal. One type reaction is getting Guillian Barre Syndrome, a neurological disease that causes partial paralysis and is associated with many vaccines including the flu vaccine. It was the most common form of injury from the swine flu vaccine administered in the 70’s. Before any medicine or vaccine is taken one should weigh the risks versus the benefits.
4. What can you do to protect yourself against the H1N1 flu and seasonal flu naturally? You can answer this question yourself by reading the following facts. Germs on their own do not make you sick, lowered body defenses do. Keep your body strong physically, nutritionally and mentally and observe good hygiene and you will have protection against the swine flu. Vitamin D is a powerful defender against viruses. Your body derives Vitamin D from sunlight and thus as it gets colder and we get less and less our defenses against viruses can decrease – thus why we have a “flu season.” Increasing your Vitamin D levels and/or using other different natural supplements can protect you naturally, without risk and more effectively than the vaccine. Maintain a healthy nervous system.
So will you put yourself and family at risk by taking the H1N1 swine flu shot and possibly even get the flu as has been the case in Canada or stay healthy and take precautions to avoid getting it? This is your decision but in either case be sure and tell the facts to your customers at your business internet money online opportunity web site.
Categories: Swine Flu Tags: About, Answers, business, Four, H1N1, internet, money, online, opportunity, Questions, virus
Worried About Swine Flu?
budurl.com – Worried about Swine Flu? Find out ways to protect yourself and stay healthy.
Categories: Swine Flu Symptoms Tags: About, Swine, Worried
Gardasil and Swine Flu Vaccines: The Inconvenient Truth About Lethal Vaccines, Know Your Options
Gardasil & Swine Flu Vaccines: Inconvenient Truths Posted: 8/24/2009 6:00:00 AM by NVIC Administrator by Barbara Loe Fisher The summer of 2009 revealed two inconvenient truths about vaccination: first, the Gardasil vaccine is not as safe for girls as the government, medical organizations and Merck have said it is; 1 and second, the H1N1 influenza pandemic is not as serious as health officials are telling us it is. 2 3 Which means that fast tracked swine flu vaccines children will get in schools this fall may end up being more risky than getting the flu. 4 For the full transcript of Barbara Loe Fishers discussion, please visit: www.nvic.org In order to give Informed Consent please research the Case Against the Experimental Swine Flu Vaccine.
Categories: Swine Flu Vaccine Tags: About, Gardasil, Inconvenient, Know, Lethal, Options, Swine, Truth, vaccines
