killer flu virus is on its way. Ducks and geese carrying this virus are now winging their way across the globe, spreading the disease wherever they go. Started in Asia, it has now spread to Europe. Soon it will be in North and South America. So far it has only killed a few dozen humans. It is, after all, a virus that’s passed from bird to bird. Or from bird to animals. So far it can’t be transmitted from human to human. But flu viruses are crafty. They have the ability to change.

This is what happened in 1918 when the Spanish Flu Pandemic swept over a war weary planet killing 50 – 100 million people – far more than were killed in the war. This time it will be much worse. After all, we now have 4 times the number of people living on the planet. And most of them live in cities. Large, crowded cities. The five largest cities in the world have over 100 million people living in them.

A killer virus that can be passed from human to human, let loose in our major cities where people are living elbow to elbow, would have a catastrophic effect. And consider this…back in 1918 it was a much bigger world. It took weeks to get from one side of the world to the other. It took days to get from one side of the continent to the next. Today it takes hours. Last year more than 46 million international visitors came to the United States. If only one infected visitor passes on the virus to 2 others, who pass it on to 2 others, and so on, by the end of a month everyone in the US could be infected. I don’t even want to consider the implications if this idea ever occurs to muslim terrorists who are only too happy to blow themselves to bits in order to take out a few infidels.

So what can we do? Fortunately it’s not all doom and gloom. There are some very specific steps you can take to minimize the dangers and protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Draw up a Plan. Outline the steps you and your family need to take, both pre-pandemic and during. Identify responsibilities for each family member. Make lists of supplies required. Find appropriate sources. Develop a realistic timeline. By establishing a plan now, you will avoid becoming a victim of the panic that will grip the general population, resulting in civil chaos and pandemonium.

2. Keep Informed. If and when the virus mutates so that it is being spread from human to human, it is likely to start in Southeast Asia. Pay attention to the news. When you hear that this has taken place, it’s time to act. We might only have weeks before the pandemic reaches North America, but with international travel so fast and easy it could be much sooner. Sign up for free newsletter notifications at http://www.survivetheflu.com .

3. Prepare Your Child for Home Schooling. Most flu outbreaks get their start at schools. You can be certain that the schools will be closed. And if they’re not, you should give very serious thought to keeping your children at home.

4. Minimize Contact with Others. The H5N1 avian flu virus can be transmitted for two days before a person is showing any symptoms and for a week after symptoms have disappeared. You never know who isn’t and who might be infected. If possible you should stay home. Every time you go into an area where there are people you are at risk.

5. Wash Your Hands Often. Sneeze particles can travel across a room at 600 miles per hour. If the person sneezing has the flu, everything in that room is covered with flu virus. And when you touch anything, the virus is transmitted to your hand. Eventually it will be transmitted to your mouth. Your only protection is to wash your hands, well and often. Each washing should involve vigorous scrubbing with soap for at least 20 seconds.

6. Stock up on Food & Water. Supermarkets only have enough food for about a week or less. It’s critical that you stock up on enough food to last you for the duration which could be 3-4 months.

7. Buy Enough Anti-Viral Medication for Every Member of your Family. Currently there are two drugs that can help mitigate the effects of the avian flu virus. One is called oseltamivir, or Tamiflu. It comes in a tablet form. The other is zanamivir, or Relenza, which is inhaled. You will need a prescription for either of these drugs. They should be taken within 2 days of the onset of symptoms and taken twice a day for 5 days. These drugs are in very short supply, especially Tamiflu which is considered the drug of first choice. You should attempt to secure enough for your family as soon as possible, since once a pandemic hits they will be impossible to obtain. Currently you should be able to buy them at your drug store, or you can order them online.

8. Stock up on Face Masks. You will need to wear these when you absolutely have to come into close contact with others. It’s likely that any public businesses or government offices that remain open will make it mandatory that you wear a mask before entering. Make sure that your mask has a rating of N100. The more common N95 masks will not give you enough protection. There is one mask — the NanoMask® — which not only blocks the H5N1 virus, but kills it as well.

9. Exercise. According to the American Council on Exercise, research has shown that moderate exercise (such as brisk walking) brings about measurable changes in the immune system, sending white blood cells zipping around the body to find intruders and kill them. But after a few hours, the immune system returns to normal so it’s best to exercise regularly.

10. Spread the Word. Regardless of how much coverage the avian threat is receiving in the media, most people are reluctant to act. Perhaps if they don’t acknowledge the danger they think it will somehow go away. Or maybe they think the government will look after the situation. Desperate, panic stricken people are arguably even more dangerous than the virus. The more people surrounding you who are prepared for the pandemic, the safer you will be. You’ll be secure in the knowledge that your neighbors won’t be eyeing your resources. So please spread the word.

And don’t give up, even though you may feel like the voice in the wilderness. Eventually, if they hear it often enough, some people will take notice. And then they will also spread the word. And in this way we’ll all be a little safer. “Up to one billion people could die around the whole world in six months…. We are half a step away from a worldwide pandemic catastrophe.” Dmitry K. Lvov, Director, D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. Whether or not it will happen this year, and whether or not it will be as catastrophic as many virologists are predicting, one thing is clear: There WILL be a pandemic of unimaginable proportions some time soon. We can either bury our heads in the sand and hope it won’t happen, or we can begin taking immediate steps to ensure that in a worst case scenario, we’ve given ourselves and our loved ones the best possible chance for survival.

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It is important that as swine flu spreads, you are alert to the symptoms of the disease so you can recognise it in yourself and others early.

Please read this page and consider your symptoms carefully before using the National Pandemic Flu Service mentioned below.

So far, the vast majority of swine flu cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu. Only in a small number of cases have people had more serious symptoms.

If you or a member of your family has any of the following symptoms and a temperature of 38°C and above or feels hot, you may have swine flu.

The typical symptoms are:

sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38°C/100.4°F or above), and sudden cough.

Other symptoms may include:

headache, tiredness, chills, aching muscles, limb or joint pain, diarrhoea or stomach upset, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and loss of appetite. Checking symptoms

It is worth making sure you have a working thermometer at home

If you are still concerned you may have swine flu:

Stay at home and check your symptoms using the National Pandemic Flu Service. Call your GP directly if:

- you have a serious underlying illness,

- you are pregnant,

- you have a sick child under one year of

age,

- your condition suddenly gets much

worse, or

- your condition is still getting worse

after seven days (five for a child).

Note: the National Pandemic Flu Service is a new online service that will assess your symptoms and, if required, provide an authorisation number that can be used to collect antiviral medication from a local collection point. For those who do not have internet access, the same service can be accessed by telephone on:

Telephone: 0800 1 513 100 Minicom: 0800 1 513 200

For more information on the National Pandemic Flu Service go to Flu Service – Q&A.

High-risk groups

For the vast majority of people, swine flu is a mild illness. Some people find that they get better by staying in bed, drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter flu medication.

However, some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch swine flu, and will need to start taking antiviral medication as soon as they are confirmed with the illness.

Scientists are still learning more about the risk profile of the virus, but it is already known that the following people are particularly susceptible:

people with:

- chronic lung disease,

- chronic heart disease,

- chronic kidney disease,

- chronic liver disease,

- chronic neurological disease

(neurological disorders include motor

neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and

Parkinson’s disease),

- immunosuppression (whether caused

by disease or treatment) and

- diabetes mellitus, patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years, pregnant women, people aged 65 years and older, and young children under five years old.

It is vital that people in these higher-risk groups who catch swine flu get antivirals and start taking them as soon as possible.

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What do you do if flu corners you? If you are caught by flu symptoms, Relenza can be helpful. Relenza medication can be simply understood as an anti-viral drug, which is a brand name for zanamivir. Relenza medication is developed by GlaxoSmith Kline. It acts as an influenza treatment at the initial phase of infection. Usage of Relenza basically restricts the activity of viruses in the body, thereby treating flu symptoms.

Customary dosage of 5mg Relenza is two dosages on a daily basis which should be at least 12 hours apart. Relenza should not be taken as a substitute for flu mist (flu vaccine). Strictly adhere to your doctor’s advice. On no account, you should take overdose of this medicine. Overindulgence in Relenza inhalation is not recommended as it may be detrimental to your health. Overdose of Relenza should be immediately reported to a doctor for medical assistance. Prior consultation with a doctor can keep you well-acquainted with the suitable usage of Relenza medication.

Some of the common side effects you may experience with usage of Relenza which can be accounted as nausea, diarrhea, stuffy nose, dizziness, vomiting, and head ache. Discontinue inhalation of Relenza incase you experience any allergic response, or bronchospasm, and report it immediately to your doctor.

Your doctor should be well-acquainted with all the medications you may be engaged in. If you have a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, you may necessitate a modification in your dose. Notify your doctor pertaining to your medical record including any allergies. Women with child bearing potential, expectant women, and ****** –feeding mother should keep away from intake of Relenza medication.

Relenza is a medication which requires to be inhaled. Usage of Relenza is recommended for adults and children above 5years of age in the treatment of flu symptoms. Discard your diskhaler after completion of your Relenza treatment. Shelve Relenza medication at room temperature.

Make a smart move and get easy access to your Relenza dosage by means of online pharmacies. An online order can save you your precious time and help you fetch affordable price range as well.

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Surgery

If pneumonia gets complicated with empyema, abscess, then one might need surgical procedures such as: thoracotomy, thoracentesis. Chest tubes are needed to drain the infected fluid, they remain in place for 1-3 days and may perforate the diaphragm and accidentally injure the lung.

Pneumonia prevention

Avoid and treat colds and influenza as soon as possible and as efficiently as possible. Maintain a good hygiene of your hands, have a rich diet in dark-colored fruits and vegetables and fresh food, have an active socially life, take different zinc preparations because studies have shown that zinc has substantial benefits against colds, flus, allergies, pneumonia. Zinc has good effects on the inflammatory response and immune system, its action is unknownb but its effects are clear.

Side efeects included are: dry mouth, constipation, bad taste, in case of superdosage vomiting, dehydration, and restlessness address as quickly as possible a physician. Zinc may also produce allergies and interact with other medication, it reduces the absorption of certain antibiotics. Zinc absorption is reduced by high amounts of calcium or phosphorus. And if taken for a long time zinc causes copper deficiencies.

Vitamin C

Studies have shown that flu, cold are reduced by large doses of vitamin C. Vitamin C appears to have preventive effects and helps the infection to be cured more rapidly. But taking high doses of vitamin C determins headaches and intestinal and urinary problems and even kidney stones. Increases iron absorption so people with blood disorders shouldn’t take large doses of vitamin C.

Echinacea is a herbal remedy that prevents the onset and symptoms of a flu. But it hasn’t been determined exactly which type of Echinacea is usefull and if the whole plant or only the roots and herb are effective. What you should watch aut when taking

Echinacea is that there may appear allergic reactions such as: erythema nodosum with muscle and joint aches, and sore throat and fever. You shouldn’t take natural remedy without the doctor’s approuval.

Vaccines for Haemophilus Influenzae

All children should be vaccinated against Haemophilus influenzae, especially those under five years.

Pneumococcal Vaccines

People of all ages should be given pneumococcal vaccines to prevent flus and pneumonia. It has been demonstrated that this vaccine protects children in day care from serious respiratory infections. Those with high risk at the administration of the vaccine are: children with sickle-cell disease, adults or children who have immune deficiencies, patients with kidney disease or kidney transplants, patients with splin problems, alcoholics. Sometimes the vaccine protection lasts for over six years.

Antiviral Agents are used to treat and prevent influenza A, B. Amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) are M2 inhibitors. They have the following benefits: offer protection against influenza A and prevent severe illness, lessen the severity of the flu but they may cause nausea, vomiting, and indigestion.

Neuraminidase Inhibitors such as: Zanamivir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) are designed to block a key viral enzyme, neuraminidase, which is involved with viral replication. So, they are effective for treating and preventing A and B strains of influenza, they may even help reduce transmission of the virus, they may reduce complications of influenza.

You can find great content regarding pneumonia causes, pneumonia symptoms and many moreby visiting http://www.pneumonia-center.com/

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