It is without doubt one of the big questions that you will have to
answer this fall. No one gets to avoid this very fundamental
question, and everyone will be asking it regardless of who they
are, and what their interests may be. It is the reason my friend
Stephen Carter created his latest site:

http://world-online-resources.com/survive-pandemic-influenzah1n1

The question: Will you get the swine flu shot this fall? Will you
even be eligible to receive it?

Stephen contacted me recently and helped me realize that very few
people have fully appreciated the fact that shortly the biggest and
most costly inoculation program in the history of public health
will be launched. The cost to U.S. taxpayers alone to foot the bill
for a swine flu vaccine will be in the vicinity of 10 billion
dollars.

I agree with Stephen that most people are likely to jump at the
opportunity to get the influenza vaccine. What I did not fully appreciate,
and what most others probably also do not fully understand, are the
pros and cons of doing so. I certainly was not aware that there may
only be sufficient vaccine to inoculate a select portion of the
population, so many of us may be required to forgo our spot in the
line.

In fact, instead of the expected delivery in October 2009 of an
initial 120 million swine flu doses to inoculate the U.S.
population, vaccine manufacturers say they will be able to come up
with only 45 million doses. This means that tens of millions of
Americans will be left vulnerable in the event that the virus finds
a way to turn more deadly – something that influenza is known to
have done in past pandemics.

What I learned from reading Stephen’s book is that, without a
vaccine in place, perhaps fully one third of the global population
will contract swine flu in the next 12 months. This is why the
inoculation program is all but certain, even if it appears that it
will now be delayed.

The other thing worth keeping in mind is that economic times are
tough, and the U.S. government would hardly be looking to dole out
10 billion dollars on a vaccine program if there was not a very
real concern that things could turn bad very quickly with this
pathogen.

This is why you want to make sure you fully understand the
situation, and prepare yourself in the event that you find yourself
ineligible for the first batches of this vaccine, which by all
accounts will be in limited supply for the duration of 2009.

You can find out more about Stephen’s new book “Survive Pandemic
Flu” here:

http://world-online-resources.com/survive-pandemic-influenzah1n1

You can also take the following action on your own:

1) Take fever medication such as paracetamol
2) Drink warm water or fluids to relieve sore throat and cough
3) Maintain a balanced diet and sufficient sleep or rest
4) Avoid stress as it can weaken your immune system
5) If signs and symptoms persist or worsen get treatment from your doctor

How can we prevent influenza from spreading?

i) Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or handkerchief when sneezing or coughing
ii) Wash your hands with soap and clean  water each time after:
- coughing or sneezing
- touching raw food materials and contaminated surfaces
- touching your face, ears, nose, mouth and other parts of the body
iii) dispose used tissues into the dustbin
iv) wear a face mask when having symptoms
v) avoid public places

What is the role of influenza vaccine?

The influenza vaccine is administered as a preventive vaccination. The seasonal influenza vaccine available in the market may protect normal healthy adult from influenza if there is a good matvh between vaccine strain and circulating viral strain.

Ministry of health recommends the influenza vaccination for those planning to visit countries during winter and pilgrims to Mecca. The vaccination is only provided by certain private clinics and private hospitals.

Click here to survive from influenza H1N1 pandemic.

There are 3 types of influenza virus, namely A,B and C. All types can infect human.  Influenza virus A is the most dangerous as it infects both animals and human. It can mutate to produce a new more novel influenza virus that can cause epidemic and pandemic outbreak.

The influenza virus is spread through droplets from the mouth and nose when speaking, sneezing and coughing. The virus then enters the body through the respiratory tract.

Is Influenza and common cold the same?

No.

Even though both have similar symptoms, the symptoms for influenza are more severe and may cause life threatening comlications.

Comparison between influenza and the common cold :-

1 ) Symptom=fever ;
     Influenza (Flu) : High. Normally above 38 degrees.
     Common cold   : Low, below 38 degress.

2 ) Symptom=fatigue
     Influenza (Flu) : Severe, lasting up to 2 – 3 weeks.
     Common cold   : very mild.

3 ) Symptom= muscle / joint ache
     Influenza (Flu) : moderate to severe.
     Common cold   : mild.

4 ) Symptom= cough
     Influenza (Flu) : severe, without phlegm in the beginning.
     Common cold   : none/mild.

5 ) Symptom= cold / runny nose
     Influenza (Flu) : none / mild
     Common cold   : severe.

6 ) Symptom= sneezing
     Influenza (Flu) : frequent
     Common cold   : occasionally

7 ) Symptom= sore throat
     Influenza (Flu) : moderate to severe.
     Common cold   : none / mild.

8 ) Symptom= headache
     Influenza (Flu) : moderate to severe.
     Common cold   : mild.

9 ) Symptom= Cause
     Influenza (Flu) : Virus Influenza A, B or C
     Common cold   : Adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, corona virus and others

Click here to Survive from pandemic influenza A h1n1 Now