Author:
Laura McKinney
Date Of Creation:
9 August 2021
Update Date:
22 June 2024
Content
The H1N1 flu, commonly known as "swine flu", was discovered in the US in April 2009. By June 2009, the World Health Organization declared that an pandemic of H1N1 was circulating. The H1N1 virus is thought to have originated in pigs, but it is well known that the virus has genetic links not only with influenza viruses in pigs, but also with influenza viruses in birds and humans. Swine flu only occurred once in the 20th century (in 1918), and since then only once in the 21st century (2009-2010). The next pandemic could happen with any influenza virus, so it would be too early to focus specifically on prevention measures and preparedness for the H1N1 flu to ensure that pandemic does not happen. again in this century. However, there are many vaccination, good health and hygiene recommendations that can be used against any seasonal flu.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Maintaining good health
Full rest. In order to stay at your best, make sure you get enough sleep. The timing and quality of sleep is really tied to our mental and physical health. Sleep provides the necessary restorative effects for the body, and in fact, lack of sleep is associated with impaired immune function. During the third stage of the sleep cycle, the body's natural T and B lymphocytes (a form of white blood cells) produce "cytokines," chemicals that kill viruses and bacteria.- Research shows that it's best to get seven to eight consecutive hours of sleep each night. People who sleep less or more this time have a higher risk of getting sick or may experience adverse health conditions.
Do exercise. Health experts and researchers recommend aerobic exercises (exercises that increase heart rate and help with sweating) at least 3 times per week for 30 minutes each. Aerobic means exercise in order to reach the target heart rate during exercise. Some of the best and most enjoyable aerobic exercises are running, cycling, and swimming.- To calculate heart rate for aerobic exercise, subtract 220 from your age, then multiply by 0.7. For example, if you were 20 years old, your heart rate would be 140. During exercise, you can check by placing your index and middle fingers in the hollow of your neck, touching the carotid artery and counting the beats. in a minute.
- Choose an exercise you enjoy. When you feel like it, you will be more likely to continue with your exercise regimen.
Full eating. The value of phytonutrients in disease prevention is becoming more and more valuable, from preventing free radicals from damaging cells to boosting the immune system through immune mechanisms. and the production of cytokines helps to repel viral and bacterial entry. Eat three meals a day on a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and protein. You can check out the guidelines at the US Department of Agriculture to ensure you get all of the essential vitamins, nutrients and minerals your body and mind need to maintain health and alertness, and help strengthen your system. immunity. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables containing vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc is believed to help fight viral infections like the flu.- Eat a healthy breakfast. Breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day, so take the time to prepare your breakfast with healthy carbs like oatmeal, protein like turkey or lean meat, plus one more portion sizes of fruits and vegetables.
- Make time for healthy snacks to help keep energy high throughout the day. Pack snacks such as apples, bananas or a packet of almonds. Avoid junk foods that make you feel unhappy and lethargic, such as sugary foods or soda.
- Limit caffeine and sugar. Caffeine and sugar can give you a temporary boost, but then make your energy and mood levels drop very quickly.
Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is another risk factor for getting the H1N1 virus. Whether a person is obese or not is determined by the body mass index (BMI), the number of body fat. A person's BMI is the person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by the square of his or her height in meters (m). A BMI of 25 - 29.9 is considered overweight, and a BMI over 30 is considered obese.
- To lose weight, you need to reduce calorie intake and increase exercise volume. This is the best way to lose weight. Be sure to consult your doctor and possibly a dietitian before starting any weight loss or diet and exercise program.
- You should also plan to plan portion sizes, eat slowly, and stop eating when you are full.
- Note that if you've followed a healthy diet and exercise but are still gaining weight, it may be better to get a checkup to rule out a hormonal abnormality that affects your metabolism. in the body.
Take a supplement. Consider taking some vitamin and mineral supplements to boost your immune system, especially during winter, which is the peak of seasonal flu. Good options include:
- Vitamin D Vitamin D plays an important role in immune function. Take vitamin D in doses of 2,000 mg per day. This is especially important for people living in cold regions where there are frosty and overcast days that prevent them from getting enough vitamin D from the sun.
- Vitamin C Vitamin C has been shown to play a key role in the body's ability to fight infections. Food sources of vitamin C such as fruits and vegetables are ideal, although in some regions it is difficult to find fresh produce during the winter. You can take a supplement at 1,000 mg per day; This is the lowest recommended dosage. If you feel like you are about to catch a cold, be aware that research has shown that 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day not only helps reduce the duration of the illness, but also alleviate the symptoms.
- Zinc Zinc is an essential trace element that helps the body fight infections. In one study that was conducted, zinc was added to the study subjects' diet, and as a result the incidence of pneumonia decreased significantly. It can be difficult to get zinc from dietary sources, but there are foods that provide zinc, such as oysters, lobsters, beef, wheat embryos, spinach and cashews. Alternatively, you may consider taking a zinc supplement of 50 mg daily to help stay healthy and fight disease. When sick, you can take a higher dose, about 150 to 175 mg.
- Be sure to consult your doctor before taking supplements, as they can sometimes interact with other medications.
Keep good hygiene. When you sneeze, cover a tissue in front of your mouth and throw it away immediately after sneezing or blowing your nose. If a tissue is not available, sneeze into your elbow, avoiding sneezing into your hands due to the risk of spreading germs. As a general rule, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; This will help prevent the spread of germs.
- Wash your hands often, especially after blowing your nose or sneezing, before eating and when going out (eg when using public transport, touching doorknobs, etc.). Use an antiseptic when possible or just use soap and water.
- Do not share utensils and drinking glasses. This can contribute to the spread of illness, especially if the other person is sick.
Part 2 of 3: Preventing swine flu during flu season
Vaccination. The specific vaccination strategy is limited as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) cannot predict more than 6 months prior to the flu season (October through April or May) of the next seasonal flu strain to circulate. However, the CDC does recommend the shot as a precaution during flu season. The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months of age get vaccinated. People over 65 years of age, chronically ill, pregnant women, and obese people are at the highest risk of catching the flu and developing complications.
- H1N1 is one of the strains of the virus that has a vaccine.
- It doesn't matter if you have been vaccinated against swine flu in the past. You need to be vaccinated every year. Viruses change very quickly, so while you are immune to last year's virus, you are not immune to this year's changed virus.
Increase hygiene. Influenza is spread through "respiratory drops" or contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person. This means that when an infected person coughs or sneezes, the secretions come into contact with others. The H1N1 virus does not get through the skin, but we often touch our nose or mouth and can become infected. Increase hand washing during flu season. Wash often with soap and water, especially after coming into contact with others in public. Wash hands immediately after meeting someone with the flu.- Avoid getting or infecting others by limiting hand contact or other forms of contact that can spread germs (coughing into the air or accidentally entering others, sharing utensils or drinking glasses, etc ...)
- You can also use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to wash your hands after touching doors, shopping carts, exchanging money, or in other situations where objects or spaces are contaminated with secretions. Studies have shown hand sanitizer to be effective in reducing the spread of H1N1.
Consider wearing a mask. Masks and masks can help prevent some exposure to influenza viruses. However, measures to wear masks should be accompanied by other precautions such as frequent hand washing.- Masks are especially helpful when you visit the doctor's office during flu season for a non-flu related check where many patients cough and sneeze. Masks are also useful if you have a serious chronic medical condition that weakens your immune system, for example cancer.
Contact your doctor. If you do experience flu symptoms during the flu season, it is best to see your doctor for proper treatment within 48 hours. Both Relenza or Tamiflu can help reduce the duration and severity of symptoms if taken within the first 48 hours of symptoms appear. advertisement
Part 3 of 3: Preparing for an epidemic
Know the symptoms of swine flu in humans. The symptoms of H1N1 flu are very similar to those of regular flu, including fever (above 37.8 ° C), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, cold and weakness. Diarrhea and vomiting can also be symptoms of the H1N1 flu. There is no way to know if you have swine flu, unless a specimen is taken within the first four or five days of illness and sent to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (or other equivalent agency).- Note that vomiting usually occurs in children, and only 17% of patients present with diarrhea.
Know what could happen. Plague can be panic, so it's important to know basic information about what can happen and how to respond.- Vaccines released during the epidemic season are usually in limited availability, so it may take a long time to be vaccinated. That's why it's a good idea to get vaccinated as early as possible, when a vaccine is available.
- People have no or very little immunity to pandemic H1N1, as it is a new virus for people. With seasonal flu, humans have some immunity that developed from exposure to previous viruses.
- If pandemic flu spreads rapidly, staying indoors will help slow the spread of the virus because you limit your exposure to the source of the disease (and limit others from being exposed from you, if you get sick).
Stock up on food and essentials. You need to stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, common over-the-counter medicines, medical equipment, and other essentials. The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends a two-week reserve. These stores are also useful in other emergencies, such as a power outage. You should buy basic over-the-counter medical equipment such as thermometers, face masks, tissues, soap, hand sanitizers, fever reducers, and cold medicines.
Plan ahead. Think, plan and plan actions to take if the following occur:
- School break: Consider taking care of children. Plan activities for study and exercise. Have documents like books ready. If you are a student, you will need to take valuables such as iPods and textbooks out of your school closet. You probably do not want to leave your belongings there if the school is closed.
- You or a family member is sick and needs care: Prepare to stay home for at least 10 days for the flu. Staying home will keep you from infecting others. Make sure other family members stay home when sick. If someone in your household has a pandemic flu, you will also need to stay home during a pandemic, even if you are not infected. Plan care for people with special needs in the event that services they normally use are not working.
- Disruption of the transport network: Think about how you can reduce your dependence on public transport during a time of epidemic, because usually that's when you have more exposure to surfaces and potential people. potential infection, and thus there is a risk of infection. For example, you can stock up on food and other necessities to cut down on shopping. Consider using other means of commuting if possible.
Talk to your employer. Ask your employer about how work will continue during an outbreak. The US Department of Health and Human Services provides a checklist of work plans during a flu pandemic; Or you can develop a risk management plan, anticipating the possibility of a pandemic flu. Find out if you can stay at home and work remotely, or if an employer is considering virtualizing workforce. Plan for a reduction or loss of income if you are unable to work or your workplace is on vacation. Check with your employer or union about their leave policy.
- Reduce workplace exposure by using virtualization technology. Use email, webinars, and documents using Pixetell to stay productive at work without having to meet too many people.
Update information. Identify reliable sources for you to have accurate information. It is very important to get information from reputable sources if an epidemic occurs. Accurate, timely and reliable information is available at PandemicFlu.gov and at the World Health Organization's swine flu website.
- In the US, you can consult the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).The line is also available in the UK and Spain, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. If you do not live in the US, check that there is an equivalent hotline where you live.
- Find information on government and local websites. Review the efforts of government and public health and emergency response officials.
- Listen to national and local radio, watch TV news reports, read newspapers and other online resources.
Know when to seek medical attention.Are not Go to a hospital or doctor's office, otherwise you could pass the infection on to others. Call your doctor first, say you think you may have swine flu, and follow all the instructions. Read CDC's instructions for care; In most cases, the flu should go away in about 10 days. However, there are some cases in which an infected person needs medical attention as soon as possible, if they develop:
- Unusual weakness with flu-like symptoms
- Extremely weak
- Immunosuppressed
- Very young or old (under 2 years old)
Watch out for serious, life-threatening symptoms. These severe symptoms indicate complications of the flu. If you experience any of the following, you should seek urgent medical attention:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in your chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Note that the emergency warning signs in children may differ, including: rapid breathing or difficulty breathing, pale skin, not drinking enough fluids, lethargy, not waking up or interacting, feeling restless, fever with rash.
Advice
- Don't confuse swine flu with bird flu. Unlike avian flu, swine flu is highly contagious.
Warning
- Vaccination is somewhat limited as the Centers for Disease Control cannot predict more than 6 months in advance what seasonal flu strains will circulate that year.
- Don't panic. While preparation is necessary, you don't need to overreact. For most people, all you need to do is take precautions and vaccines.
