Swine Flu Might Be on the Path to a Pandemic

I have read and heard from many news outlets about the swine flu and wanted to write on it, based on some information I compiled.

There is great concern now over this swine virus, mostly in the U.S. and Mexico. We watch horror movies about people being quarantined due to a virus. Now this virus is at the verge of becoming an pandemic and it's no horror movie.

Swine Flu and its Symptoms

Swine flu is a very contagious respiratory disease. It derived from a mutation of pig and human genes. Symptoms are not recognizable as they are similar symptoms of the regular flu. They Include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The Swine flu outbreak in Mexico has killed nearly 70 people. People in Mexico have resulted to wearing masks, canceling concert events, and closing down schools.

There were outbreaks; (none life threatening) in California there were 7 confirmed cases. There were also outbreaks in Texas and now 2 confirmed in Kansas. In NY 8 children were taken to the hospital and tested positive to swine flu in St. Francis prep, flushing, NY. It was reported on CNN that there was testing for 30 children from a day care center in the Bronx.

Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden Says that NY CITY IS Prepared for the worst case scenario. But, "You always have to look at the situation and see day to day, what you can do better, and what you can learn".

President Obama was in Mexico, but the white house is not concerned about the presidents health because he has not shown any flu like symptoms.

According to John Barry the author of The great influenza. "We are in the Path to a pandemic". Pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that spreads through populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide, according to wikipidia.

John Barry's advice is not to worry or do anything until it arrives in our community, then proceed to social distances, and cover up.

Why we should still be worried.

We thought it was only people in the south west that should be worried but in reality the Swine flu outbreaks have also been reported in Europe, Africa, and parts of eastern Asia.

Is there a vaccine?

The seasonal influenza vaccine may not protect against swine flu. There is no vaccine to stop swine flu. However, There is a vaccine for swine flu in pigs. There are some antivirals that mitigate symptoms, and if taken it will probably progress the virus.The Virus gets weaker and weaker as it passes from one person to another. The swine flu virus detected in Mexico and the U.S. has appeared to respond to treatments with oseltamivir (tamiflu) and zanatamivir (relenza.

Precautions

If you or someone you know has the flu go to the hospital immediately more than 1,000 people are infected in Mexico.
Wash hands thoroughly, no shaking hands, no kissing on cheeks; staying in a safe distant from those infected or that might be infected.

According to CNN from a scale from 1 -6 The swine flu is at a level 3 which means no or very limited human to human transmission. Level 6 would be efficient and sustained human to human transmission.

Swine Flu is a combination of Asian influenza, bird flu and regular flu combined.

Who should be the most concerned

In Mexico health officials are trying to contain the virus by advising to cancel all major events, wear masks, cover mouth when sneezing or coughing. Wash hands. Take as much hygiene precautions as possible. People that have flu like symptoms: go get checked at the hospital. People that have been in contact to others that might have had flu like symptoms People that have been in Mexico recently. Border Patrol Agents: They should wear their gloves and masks, that they are suppose to be wearing.

Sources: Cnn, Associated Press,NY Times,Wikipedia
For Updates go to Cdc.gov Centers for disease control and prevention.