All you need to know about Swine Flu

Swine Flu is also known as H1N1 flu, a new strain of epidemic virus which shows similar symptoms like of regular flu. Originally this flu was originated in pigs and further spread from person to person.

In 2009 H1N1 flu was 1st discovered in humans and became a pandemic and from there it made to headlines. It is a contagious disease which is still affecting several people throughout the globe.

In August, 2010, World Health Organization (WHO) declared H1N1 as a pandemic and since then H1N1 flu is recognized as a regular human virus flu.

In India, on an average 5 thousands cases gets registered every year. With the recent data published by WHO 2016, the number of cases has increased as compared to the previous year 2015, but the death rate has decreased down.

According to Union Health Ministry data, in 2016 from January to December, 1786 confirmed cases and 265 death cases of H1N1 flu got registered. On an average, this year less than 4% of population got diagnosed with H1N1 flu as compared to 14.8% of population in 2016.

India’s worst outburst in epidemic was in 2009-2010, when H1N1 flu infected around 50,000 people and killed more than 2700 people across the whole country.

H1N1 flu is contagious in nature and spread very quickly, a simple sneeze or cough can spread this virus to the next sitting person. These viruses stick around on the surface of tables, chairs and even on doors knob, waiting for someone to get picked up.

In today’s time also the risk of getting infected by H1N1 flu is same as for any other shear of the flu. Elderly people, kids, pregnant women, people with low immunity, suffering from chronic disease like diabetes, heart problems, cancer, lung disease, are at major risk of getting infected with H1N1 flu.

H1N1 flu almost has same symptoms similar to other strain flu like:

·       Stuffy or running nose

·       Vomiting

·       Body aches with sore throat

·       Fever at regular interval

·       Coughing

For diagnosis doctors take sampling fluid from the body by swabbing the nose or throat.

In most of the cases medication is not required as people with good health who get infected with H1N1 flu are more likely to fight with the infection on their own. In chronic cases two antiviral oral drugs are suggested for the treatment:

·       Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

·       Zanamivir (Relenza)

Apart from getting yearly flu vaccination, there are other various methods one can use to stay away from getting infected. These include:

·       Frequently washing of hands with soap or using hand sanitizer

·       Avoid touching nose, mouth or eyes

·       When flu is in session, try avoiding large gatherings

·       It’s important to follow public health recommendations provided by CDC, WHO, National Health Institute and other governmental public health institutions to stay away from getting infected with flu.

Year to year flu season shifts, but in India it mostly starts during monsoon season, though it is possible to get infected by any time of the year.

Original Source :https://goo.gl/4nFNgR, http://bit.ly/2vIO6BJ

Does Shingles (Herpes Zoster) Increases the risk of Stroke and Heart Attack???

According to a research it has been told that reactivation of chickenpox virus which causes shingles increases a risk of person’s risk of stroke and heart attack, the risk of heart attack by 59% and 35% for the stroke. People who are under the age of 40 years or old are at higher risk for stroke. The risk for both stroke and heart attack were highest in the 1st year after the onset of shingles and it decreases down with the time.

When a person’s body is infected with Shingles, the virus moves through the skin and directly attacks and inflames the blood vessels along with certain nerves. The inflamed blood vessels at times cause the blood to clot, which further sets the stage for heart attack and stroke.

WHAT IS SHINGLES?

Shingles is basically a rash which causes immense/shooting pain. It generally shows up on one side of the body or face and it appears in a band, a strip or a small area. Varicella Zoster Virus or Herpes Zoster is the main cause for this painful rash.

Varicella Zoster Virus causes chicken pox primarily and when chicken pox reaches to its second level it causes shingles. This disease is common in older adults and people with weak immune system. People who got shingles in the past have chances to get effected again after recovering from it, as it is a contagious disorder and can affect anyone very easily.

If a person feels tingly and itchy only on one side of the body or face and then notice a rash, the person needs to contact the doctor immediately. The doctor will examine it and will figure out whether its shingles or just an infection.

WHAT CAUSES SHINGLES?

The virus that causes chickenpox in the body starts up again and causes shingles. As a person gets better from chickenpox, the virus “sleeps” in the nerve roots but in certain cases like disease, stress weak immune system the “wakes up” and gets active again in the nerve roots and causes shingles not the chickenpox.

SYMPTOMS OF SHINGLES:

• The symptoms of shingles follow in stages, like in the first step a person might have headache or might be sensitive to light. At times the person feels like to have the flu but not the fever.

• Later on the person may feel itching, tingling or pain at certain areas of his/her body parts. That’s when a band, strip or small areas of rash develops a few days later. The rash later turns into clusters of blisters fill with fluid and then crust over. Generally it takes 2-4 weeks for the blisters to get heal and there are chances that they might leave scars.

TREATMENT:

• Medications are the most common and primarily used method by the doctors and patients all well. The medicines include antiviral medicines or pain relaxers. Starting medications right away will help the rash to heal faster and less painful also.

• Good home care like taking care of skin sores and keeping them clean, will also help to heal the rash faster.

Courtesy:

Metro Group of Hospital

www.metrohospitals.com

Appointments : +91 99104 92867

Original Source : http://bit.ly/2ucSokZ ,http://bit.ly/2xveYU1