Top 10 H1N1 Swine Flu Repercussions

Throughout the history of human kind many flu epidemics were emerging, taking lives of millions people worldwide. The latest threat to the human population is influenza virus type H1N1 strain, also known as the swine flu. The first record of the swine flu dates back to 1918, during the pandemic, the scientists quickly linked the disease to pigs, when they noticed that pigs were ill at the same time as humans. Over the years, the virus was mutating, only to emerge in more complex and dangerous strain in Mexico, 2009.  Although the scientists have not developed a vaccine against this particular strain of flu, there are top 10 percussions that one may take in order to minimize the chances of getting ill.

1. Frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

The research shows that cold as well as flu viruses are transmitted through touching the surface, hand or object that has bodily fluids of infected person. When washing hands with soap, the flu molecules get moistened and get rinsed away with water.

2. If water is not available, use alcohol based hand sanitizers, with 50% of alcohol ingredient or more

Active ingredients such as isopropanol, ethanol, or n-propanol   work as well as soap and water and are effective at 99.5% rate against most viral as well as bacterial infections.

3. If you feel that, you need to sneeze or cough, please do so in your hands or sleeve

Wash hands immediately. It is also recommended not to touch or rub your face before washing your hands, as the virus spreads from person to person by hand-to-hand contact.

4. Try to limit your exposure to large social gatherings

During the outbreak try to limit your exposure to large social, as people frequently travel and socialize among each other, one might not even know that he/she is contagious until some physical signs appear.

5. Stay at home

If you experience any sign of the flu or cold virus, try to stay at home and get well before reporting to your daily life. It may look like inconvenience, but most of the work places do encourage their employees to take days off work and get back on their feet without infecting the others.

6. Daily intake of vitamin C

Daily intake of vitamin C helps your body to boost the bacteria-killing ability of certain immune cells called macrophages and neutrophils. Some studies suggest that vitamin C also stimulates production of interferon, an important chemical in the immune system, and that it improves the thymus gland’s ability to make infection-fighting lymphocytes.

7. Eating a healthy and well balanced diet

Eating a healthy and well balanced diet as well as getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night helps your body to fight off stress factors as well as contribute to the production of bacteria fighting sells in your body.

8. Routinely clean and disinfect your home as well as work place

Remember that you are at most venerable at the place you feel relaxed, but many people do not realize that they are actually “bringing the germs home”. Make sure to use diluted bleach solution to make your cleaning most effective.

9. If you have children you need to teach them proper hygiene structure

If you have children you need to teach them proper hygiene structure, which includes frequent hands washing, sanitizing, coughing and sneezing into a tissue or a sleeve. Children also need to be reminded that although sharing is a good manner; however, personal items such as spoons, cups and water bottles intended to be single user only.

10. Contact your health provider

If you experience severe symptoms and unable to self-care, please contact your health provider immediately, he or she will advise you on the further actions, and help you get tested.