Swine Flu – H1N1 Virus

The Swine Flu, also known as the H1N1 virus, is a “novel” virus according to the CDC.

The symptoms of the virus are as “novel” as the viru itself and can differ from person to person. It is very rare for a single person to present with all of the symptoms reported. Strangely enough, a prior pandemic may have saved many people from contracting the virus and/or dying from it. In 1918, a flu pandemic struck and many lives were lost. The virus was viable until 1957. Anyone born prior to then had some exposure and developed antibodies that were useful in this pandemic. That may be the very reason that this virus was not as deadly as expected and did not attack older people as often as usually happens.

Typically reported symptoms reported have included:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sneezing
• Body aches
• Headache
• Sore Throat
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness or confusion (probably caused by dehydration)
• Shortness of Breath or Trouble Breathing
• Bluish coloring of lips
• Severe Irritability
• Dehydration

In children, the symptoms differ slightly;

• Fever with rash
• Bluish skin coloring
• Not waking or extreme sluggishness and fatigue
• Crying without tears and lack of urination (usually caused by dehydration)
• Not wanting to be touched, but demanding comfort (skin hurts)
• Rapid or trouble breathing
• Refusal to eat or drink leading to rapid dehydration

At the present time, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Heath Organization (WHO) recommend the use of Tamiflu and Relenza for the treatment of the H1N1 virus. These drugs are available to those diagnosed with the H1N1 virus and those at very high risk by prescription only.

It has been recommended that Tamiflu be removed from “prescription only” status and be made available “over the counter”. This issue will probably not be decided until the current pandemic is over.

We have been told by radio, television, the internet and print media that the best prevention for the virus are “Common Sense” methods. Since the virus can live on surfaces for 2 – 8 hours we should use household disinfectants. We should avoid panic and remain calm even if we are exposed to the virus. Other ways are:

• Frequent hand washing or use of a hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60%
• Covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing
• Avoid touching people outside our immediate family (those living in our homes)
• Avoid people who are ill
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Get plenty of rest
• Pay attention to news of school and work closures
• Do not touch eyes, nose and mouth
• Eat healthy foods

Masks with a rating of N95 are not recommended except in certain areas with a high concentration of people exposed to the H1N1 virus.

People who like natural ways to protect themselves have been using homeopathy, vitamins and herbal supplements to help prevent or lessen the effects of the virus. For those people, we have included the following:

The recommended “Anti–Flu Diet” includes:

• Sweet potatoes
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Apples
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Red Onions, raw or cooked
• Salmon
• Foods high in Querectin

Other supplements include:

• Vitamin D
• Drinking or gargling with Black Tea extract
• Vitamin C
• Zinc Lozenges
• Echinachea
• Golden Seal
• Rhus Tox
• Probiotics
• Oregano Essential Oil
• Bryonia
• Gelesmium
• Oscillococcinum
• Black Current extract
• Black Elderberry extract
• Multi-vitamins with Minerals
• Green Tea extract
• Grapefruit Seed extract
• Apple Cider Vinegar (all natural)
• Fresh Ginger Tea
• Onion and Garlic Juice
• Colon Cleansers
• Propolis extract
• Boericke and Tafel Child Alpha Cold and flu Tablets (for children)
• Exercise
• No Alcohol
• Deep Breathing
• No Sugar
• Meditation
• Other forms of Relaxation
• Immune Boosters
• Extra Sleep

None of the above items have been proven to help prevent or lessen the effects of H1N1 virus.

Now we come to the over the counter preparations. They are not a cure or prevention for any type of flu. They do relieve certain symptoms of the flu, and they can also mask the severity of your symptoms which could lead to your Cold/Flu turning into Pneumonia. They might even mask the severity of your Swine Flu symptoms, causing you or your health care provider to believe you do not have the H1N1 virus. This could allow the spread of the virus to others.

The stocks on the traditional over the counter remedies have risen since this pandemic of Swine Flu but the remedies are not shown to cure the H1N1 virus.

Preparing a pandemic of swine flu emergency kit has very little differences from any other emergency/disaster kit.

The most notable differences are:

• The kit should last for two weeks
• It should include extra fluids, including those with electrolytes
• It should include lots of soft tissues
• It should include extra garbage bags for the disposal of tissues, vomit and feces
• It should include Hand Sanitizers
• It should include M95 Masks
• It should include an extra roll of plastic to separate ill persons from others
• It should include extra tape for the plastic
• It should include over–the–counter medications for children and adults for the different symptoms, such as headache, fever, body aches, sore throats, diarrhea, and nausea to help keep the patient as comfortable as possible until health care providers arrive.

The World Health Organization seemed to wait forever to upgrade the Swine Flu/H1N1 virus to a pandemic. The Center for Disease Control did the same. They may have been waiting because some of their doctors and scientists believed that the virus would change to a deadlier form or one which would spread even faster. These should be considered by everyone and prepared for as best we can. Update your emergency/disaster kit. Keep updated on the pandemic, and follow the “Common Sense” methods of prevention.

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