How to Prevent the Flu

There is no cure for the flu! There are only symptoms reliefs while the body is given a chance to fight back. The usual flu symptoms are sore throat, sinus pressure, coughs, fever, and headaches.

People That More Susceptible

The Young - their weaker immune system body have not developed enough to handle a tough attack of the virus. Being young means more exposure to other risks and other children. Youthful nature and poor responsibility in handling and maintaining cleanliness without reminding from parents, or otherwise dislike bathing or washing.

The Elder _ weaker immune system due to age, other health problems overwhelm their defense system making them slower to recover. Especially seniors who depend on others for care and are in a community where they can be exposed to other health risks such as nursing homes staffs and other residents.

Severity of the Symptoms

Call your doctor immediately and seek emergency treatment if necessary at all possible. Some of these symptoms are as follow: extreme chills, fatigue, fluids in the lungs, bluish face, bloody sputum, pneumonia. You may be asked to remain homebound if the condition is not serious enough to warrant emergency care. In this way spreading of the flu virus is kept to a minimum. Stay out of the crowd or dense public areas.

Since there is no cure, comfort is the most important goal patients need to know. That means bed rest _ saving all that energy and channeling it towards recovering. Appropriate strength pain medicine with fever reducer to lessen throbbing headaches that can make resting uncomfortable. High body temperature of 104 o F can cause heat strokes and loss of consciousness, which is life threatening. It is suggested that clear cool fluid intake be increased to prevent dehydration especially at a time when the body is heating up due to overactive immune system.

Why It's Important

In 1918 the Spanish Flu virus killed nearly half a million the people in the US and globally 100 million. Virus is always changing making it necessary for update of vaccine that is challenging each time a new strain is discovered since science is slower to find the vaccine that can handle the new virus. Tami flu and Relenza are two vaccines available now to slow down flu viruses that are more known to science. Though the drugs are available science have not been determined their effects on the recently discovered swine virus. Because of the increased population in this century the estimated death could range from 180 to 360 million people worldwide if there were another flu pandemic.

Current Pandemic

Mexico swine flu is a-never-before-seen flu virus encompassing avian, human, and swine virus. Pigs being more susceptible to both bird and human viruses carrying the disease combination bring forth a death-defying new virus that if left untreated in humans can be devastating to the human race. This current virus has authorities closing Mexican public buildings such as schools, libraries, and museums thus far due a dozen deaths already reported.

Warnings

Children and teens with fever are refrain from using aspirin known to cause Reye's syndrome, a fatal liver disease. Continued use of prophylactic antiviral treatment can lead to new drug resistant virus, so it is advisable to be less dependable on drugs, but rather on your own natural defense system.

Ways of Strengthening Your Immune System

Boost your system by taking in antioxidant such as tea and maintaining a healthy diet and weight by daily exercise with less alcohol consumption and avoid tobacco smoke. Personally speaking, daily tea drink is essential to my well being to this day. Previous working condition surrounded by a group work in office setting has a number of times taken a toll on my immune system, causing serious sinus infections. This was a time when tea drinking was not done on a regular basis. Though my work setting has changed it's been two years since my sinus infection. I've only experienced mild headaches and a cold that lasted 4 days instead of 2 weeks. While my husband was dealing with the flu for 3 weeks last summer, though I stayed by him, I managed to stay well and employed.

Sources:

http://www.rotten.com/library/history/flu-pandemic/

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090424/ap_on_he_me/med_swine_flu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoregulation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_treatment