Nine people, including six in Karnataka, died of swine flu in India Saturday, taking the country's toll from the infectious influenza A (H1N1) virus to 125, health authorities said.
Know More
Saturday, September 5, 2009
During Hospital Care
->The patient should be admitted directly to the isolation facility and continue to wear a three layer surgical mask.
->The identified medical, nursing and paramedical personnel attending the suspect/ probable / confirmed case should wear full complement of PPE (including N95 mask). If splashing with blood or other body fluids is anticipated, a water proof apron should be worn over the PPE.
->Aerosol-generating procedures such as endotracheal intubation, nebulized medication administration, induction and aspiration of sputum or other respiratory secretions, airway suction, chest physiotherapy and positive pressure ventilation should be performed by the treating physician/ nurse wearing full complement of PPE with N95 respirator on.
->Sample collection and packing should be done under full cover of PPE.
->Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact and following contact with contaminated items, whether or not gloves are worn.
->Until further evidence is available, infection control precautions should continue in an adult patient for 7 days after resolution of symptoms and 14 days after resolution of symptoms for children younger than 12 years because of longer period of viral shedding expected in children. If the patient insists on returning home, after resolution of fever, it may be considered, provided the patient and household members follow recommended infection control measures and the cases could be monitored by the health workers in the community.
->The virus can survive in the environment for variable periods of time (hours to days). Cleaning followed by disinfection should be done for contaminated surfaces and equipments.
->The identified medical, nursing and paramedical personnel attending the suspect/ probable / confirmed case should wear full complement of PPE (including N95 mask). If splashing with blood or other body fluids is anticipated, a water proof apron should be worn over the PPE.
->Aerosol-generating procedures such as endotracheal intubation, nebulized medication administration, induction and aspiration of sputum or other respiratory secretions, airway suction, chest physiotherapy and positive pressure ventilation should be performed by the treating physician/ nurse wearing full complement of PPE with N95 respirator on.
->Sample collection and packing should be done under full cover of PPE.
->Perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact and following contact with contaminated items, whether or not gloves are worn.
->Until further evidence is available, infection control precautions should continue in an adult patient for 7 days after resolution of symptoms and 14 days after resolution of symptoms for children younger than 12 years because of longer period of viral shedding expected in children. If the patient insists on returning home, after resolution of fever, it may be considered, provided the patient and household members follow recommended infection control measures and the cases could be monitored by the health workers in the community.
->The virus can survive in the environment for variable periods of time (hours to days). Cleaning followed by disinfection should be done for contaminated surfaces and equipments.
Do’s and Don’ts for the Community
DO:
* Wash your hands
* Avoid crowded places
* Stay more than an arm's length from persons afflicted with flu
* Get plenty of sleep
* Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food
DO NOT:
* Shake hands or hug in greeting
* Spit in public
* Take medicines without consulting a physician
For people who are sick:
* Stay home and limit contacts with others as much as possible
* Rest and take plenty of liquids
* Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
* Seek medical advice if needed.
* Wash your hands
* Avoid crowded places
* Stay more than an arm's length from persons afflicted with flu
* Get plenty of sleep
* Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food
DO NOT:
* Shake hands or hug in greeting
* Spit in public
* Take medicines without consulting a physician
For people who are sick:
* Stay home and limit contacts with others as much as possible
* Rest and take plenty of liquids
* Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
* Seek medical advice if needed.
Frequently asked questions about swine flu
How do people become infected with influenza A(H1N1)?
Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed.
What are the signs and symptoms of infection?
Early signs of influenza A(H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Is there any confirmation of transmission between pigs and humans at this point?
No.
How long someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.
How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Currently available seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against H1N1 flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.
• If one gets sick with influenza, one must stay at home, away from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. However, if one is having any respiratory distress, one should report to a nearby hospital.
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands frequently. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. Oseltamivir is the recommended anti viral drug for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with the influenza A H1N1. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). Government has adequate stock and the drug is made available to government hospitals at the time of outbreak and would be available to you free of cost. . The drug is to be administered under supervision of clinicians.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where influenza A H1N1 cases have been identified and become ill with influenza like symptoms e.g. fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid
contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids/eating food
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
Can I get influenza A H1N1 from eating or preparing pork?
No. swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed.
What are the signs and symptoms of infection?
Early signs of influenza A(H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
Is there any confirmation of transmission between pigs and humans at this point?
No.
How long someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.
What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air.
How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live two hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent hand washing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
Currently available seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against H1N1 flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.
• If one gets sick with influenza, one must stay at home, away from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. However, if one is having any respiratory distress, one should report to a nearby hospital.
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands frequently. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people having respiratory illness.
Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. Oseltamivir is the recommended anti viral drug for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with the influenza A H1N1. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms). Government has adequate stock and the drug is made available to government hospitals at the time of outbreak and would be available to you free of cost. . The drug is to be administered under supervision of clinicians.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where influenza A H1N1 cases have been identified and become ill with influenza like symptoms e.g. fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed. If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid
contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids/eating food
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
Can I get influenza A H1N1 from eating or preparing pork?
No. swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.
Plan for pandemic "Swine Flu'
1.1 Influenza
Influenza virus can infect both human beings and animals notably pigs, birds, horses etc. Three types of influenza viruses are known, namely A, B and C. While humans may be affected by all the three influenza viruses, in lower animals and birds, influenza A viruses are of primary concern. Influenza A virus causes infection in humans all round the year and is responsible for most of the seasonal epidemics and pandemics. Influenza B causes sporadic and less severe outbreaks whereas the type C causes mild respiratory illness.
Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based on two glycoproteins (haemagglutinin and neuraminidase antigens) present on the surface of the virus. There are 16 haemagglutinin (H) antigens (1 to 16) and 9 neuraminidase (N) antigens (1 to 9). The viruses can have different combinations of H and N antigens. While all 16 haemagglutinin subtypes of influenza A viruses readily infect the birds, viruses having any of the H1, H2 or H3 haemagglutinin antigens and any of the N1 or N2 neuraminidase antigens only affect the humans usually. In fact, H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2 subtypes of influenza A virus have been associated with most of the widespread epidemics and all the pandemics of the past.
1.2 Influenza A H1N1
Influenza A H1N1 is a circulating seasonal influenza virus that caused pandemic in 1918-1919. The present pandemic is being caused by a new sub type of Influenza A H1N1 which has re-assorted with antigenic segments from American swine, Eurasian Swine, avian and human influenza virus. The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. The incubation period is from 1-7 days. The virus is spreading from human to human through droplet infection. The period of communicability is from 1 day before to 7 days after the onset of symptoms. It may be longer in children (up to 3 weeks) The virus is currently sensitive to Oseltamivir.
1.3 Global Scenario
This sub type of Influenza A [H1N1], was first reported in Mexico on 18th March, 2009 and then spread to neighbouring United States and Canada. As on 8th June, 2009, World Health Organization has reported 25,288 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection with 139 deaths from 73 countries spread over America, Europe, Asia and Australian continent.
1.4 Situation in India
As on 29.052009 there is one imported case that came from U.S.A. There has been no secondary spread from that index case. However, with efficient human to human transmission established and more than 48 countries involved, it is a matter of time that this pandemic strain would come to India. The behavior of this mutant virus among the Asian population cannot be predicted. The virus has the potential to mutate further and become a lethal virus .
1.5 Current WHO phase of Pandemic Alert
World Health Organization has officially designated the present outbreak as public health emergency of international concern and has raised the pandemic alert phase to level -5 implying widespread human transmission. WHO has stated that containment may not be possible at this stage and is advocating mitigation measures. It has recommended against closing borders and restricting or banning air travel from affected countries.
Influenza virus can infect both human beings and animals notably pigs, birds, horses etc. Three types of influenza viruses are known, namely A, B and C. While humans may be affected by all the three influenza viruses, in lower animals and birds, influenza A viruses are of primary concern. Influenza A virus causes infection in humans all round the year and is responsible for most of the seasonal epidemics and pandemics. Influenza B causes sporadic and less severe outbreaks whereas the type C causes mild respiratory illness.
Influenza A viruses are divided into subtypes based on two glycoproteins (haemagglutinin and neuraminidase antigens) present on the surface of the virus. There are 16 haemagglutinin (H) antigens (1 to 16) and 9 neuraminidase (N) antigens (1 to 9). The viruses can have different combinations of H and N antigens. While all 16 haemagglutinin subtypes of influenza A viruses readily infect the birds, viruses having any of the H1, H2 or H3 haemagglutinin antigens and any of the N1 or N2 neuraminidase antigens only affect the humans usually. In fact, H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2 subtypes of influenza A virus have been associated with most of the widespread epidemics and all the pandemics of the past.
1.2 Influenza A H1N1
Influenza A H1N1 is a circulating seasonal influenza virus that caused pandemic in 1918-1919. The present pandemic is being caused by a new sub type of Influenza A H1N1 which has re-assorted with antigenic segments from American swine, Eurasian Swine, avian and human influenza virus. The majority of these cases have occurred in otherwise healthy young adults. The incubation period is from 1-7 days. The virus is spreading from human to human through droplet infection. The period of communicability is from 1 day before to 7 days after the onset of symptoms. It may be longer in children (up to 3 weeks) The virus is currently sensitive to Oseltamivir.
1.3 Global Scenario
This sub type of Influenza A [H1N1], was first reported in Mexico on 18th March, 2009 and then spread to neighbouring United States and Canada. As on 8th June, 2009, World Health Organization has reported 25,288 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection with 139 deaths from 73 countries spread over America, Europe, Asia and Australian continent.
1.4 Situation in India
As on 29.052009 there is one imported case that came from U.S.A. There has been no secondary spread from that index case. However, with efficient human to human transmission established and more than 48 countries involved, it is a matter of time that this pandemic strain would come to India. The behavior of this mutant virus among the Asian population cannot be predicted. The virus has the potential to mutate further and become a lethal virus .
1.5 Current WHO phase of Pandemic Alert
World Health Organization has officially designated the present outbreak as public health emergency of international concern and has raised the pandemic alert phase to level -5 implying widespread human transmission. WHO has stated that containment may not be possible at this stage and is advocating mitigation measures. It has recommended against closing borders and restricting or banning air travel from affected countries.
Guidelines for testing of persons with flu like symptoms reporting at hospitals notified for influenza H1N1
So far, the present guidelines stipulate that a person suspected of influenza A H1N1 need to be referred to an identified govt. health facility. He/she needs to be kept in an isolation facility in that hospital and if found positive, is treated accordingly.
In order to make the testing facility for H1N1 more accessible at large and due to the onset of the Influenza season in the country, it has been decided to revise the existing guidelines.
Under the new guidelines, any person with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, cold, running nose etc. should go to a designated Government facility for giving his/her sample for testing for the H1N1 virus. After clinical assessment, the designated medical officer would decide on the need for testing. Except for cases that are severe, the patient would be allowed to go home (This was not allowed under the existing guidelines).
The sample of the suspect case would be collected and sent to the notified laboratory for testing. If tested as positive for H1N1 and in case the symptoms are mild, the patient would be informed and given the option of admission into the hospital or isolation and treatment at his own home.
In case the patient opts for home isolation and treatment, he/she would be provided with detailed guidelines / safety measures to be strictly adhered to by the entire household of the patient. He/ she would have to provide full contact details of his entire household. The house hold and social contacts would be provided with the preventive treatment.
Notwithstanding the above guidelines, the decision of the doctor of the notified hospital about admitting the patient would be final.
In case the test is negative, the patient will accordingly be informed.
These guidelines have been issued by the Government in public interest and shall be reviewed from time to time depending on the spread of the pandemic and its severity in the country. These guidelines would however not apply to passengers who are identified through screening at the points of entry. The existing policy of isolating passengers with flu like symptoms would continue.
In order to make the testing facility for H1N1 more accessible at large and due to the onset of the Influenza season in the country, it has been decided to revise the existing guidelines.
Under the new guidelines, any person with flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, cold, running nose etc. should go to a designated Government facility for giving his/her sample for testing for the H1N1 virus. After clinical assessment, the designated medical officer would decide on the need for testing. Except for cases that are severe, the patient would be allowed to go home (This was not allowed under the existing guidelines).
The sample of the suspect case would be collected and sent to the notified laboratory for testing. If tested as positive for H1N1 and in case the symptoms are mild, the patient would be informed and given the option of admission into the hospital or isolation and treatment at his own home.
In case the patient opts for home isolation and treatment, he/she would be provided with detailed guidelines / safety measures to be strictly adhered to by the entire household of the patient. He/ she would have to provide full contact details of his entire household. The house hold and social contacts would be provided with the preventive treatment.
Notwithstanding the above guidelines, the decision of the doctor of the notified hospital about admitting the patient would be final.
In case the test is negative, the patient will accordingly be informed.
These guidelines have been issued by the Government in public interest and shall be reviewed from time to time depending on the spread of the pandemic and its severity in the country. These guidelines would however not apply to passengers who are identified through screening at the points of entry. The existing policy of isolating passengers with flu like symptoms would continue.
GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS/COLLEGES/INSTITUTIONS ON INFLUENZA A/H1N1
There have been some cases of Influenza A H1N1 virus among students and staff in certain schools, primarily in Delhi and Maharashtra. There has been considerable speculation over the need for closure of schools to control the outbreak. This matter has been considered by the Joint Monitoring Group in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. All schools and colleges are advised to observe the following guidelines for managing cases of infection of Influenza AH1N1.
(i) Any student or staff member showing flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, running nose and difficulty in breathing should be allowed to stay at home for a period of 7 to 10 days.
(ii) Educational institutions should not insist on production of medical certificate by the student/staff.
(iii) Educational institutions should monitor the health status of such students/staff who might have come in contact with a suspected case of Influenza AH1N1 to see whether they develop flu like symptoms. In case they do so, they should be allowed to stay home, as outlined at (i) above
(iv) In case of students staying in Hostels, the educational institutions would not only monitor the health status of the students, but also that of care providers. It has to be ensured that the care providers wear face mask and wash hands regularly. It might not be advisable to send the boarders back to home, as it would spread infection further.
(v) Educational institutions are further encouraged to report such cases to local health officers for further monitoring.
(vi) Given the current magnitude of the spread of AH1N1 infection and the fact that the current virus is fairly mild, closure of educational institutions on account of any student/staff member falling ill with flu like symptoms is not recommended.
(vii) In the first place, the schools should discourage the excursions of the students to the affected countries.
(viii) In case if the students had proceeded to affected countries on unavoidable tours, then on their return, if some students show flu like symptoms of fever, sore- throat , cough , body ache, running nose, difficulty breathing etc. they should be advised to abstain from attending school and be allowed to stay at home for a period of 7 to 10 days.
(i) Any student or staff member showing flu like symptoms such as fever, cough, running nose and difficulty in breathing should be allowed to stay at home for a period of 7 to 10 days.
(ii) Educational institutions should not insist on production of medical certificate by the student/staff.
(iii) Educational institutions should monitor the health status of such students/staff who might have come in contact with a suspected case of Influenza AH1N1 to see whether they develop flu like symptoms. In case they do so, they should be allowed to stay home, as outlined at (i) above
(iv) In case of students staying in Hostels, the educational institutions would not only monitor the health status of the students, but also that of care providers. It has to be ensured that the care providers wear face mask and wash hands regularly. It might not be advisable to send the boarders back to home, as it would spread infection further.
(v) Educational institutions are further encouraged to report such cases to local health officers for further monitoring.
(vi) Given the current magnitude of the spread of AH1N1 infection and the fact that the current virus is fairly mild, closure of educational institutions on account of any student/staff member falling ill with flu like symptoms is not recommended.
(vii) In the first place, the schools should discourage the excursions of the students to the affected countries.
(viii) In case if the students had proceeded to affected countries on unavoidable tours, then on their return, if some students show flu like symptoms of fever, sore- throat , cough , body ache, running nose, difficulty breathing etc. they should be advised to abstain from attending school and be allowed to stay at home for a period of 7 to 10 days.
List of Influenza A H1N1 affected countries
List of Influenza A H1N1 affected countries as on 16.6.2009
S.No Name of the Country
1. Argentina
2. Australia
3. Austria
4. Bahamas
5. Bahrain
6. Barbados
7. Belgium
8. Bolivia
9. Brazil
10. Bulgaria
11. Canada
12. Cayman Islands, UKOT
13. Chile
14. China
15. Colombia
16. Costa Rica
17. Cuba
18. Cyprus
19. Czech Republic
20. Denmark
21. Dominica
22. Dominican Republic
23. Ecuador
24. Egypt
25. El Salvador
26. Estonia
27. Finland
28. France
29. Germany
30. Greece
31. Guatemala
32. Honduras
33. Hungary
34. Iceland
35. India
36. Ireland
37. Israel
38. Italy
39. Jamaica
40. Japan
41. Korea, Republic of
42. Kuwait
43. Lebanon
44. Luxembourg
45. Malaysia
46. Mexico
47. Netherlands
48. New Zealand
49. Nicaragua
50. Norway
51. Panama
52. Paraguay
53. Peru
54. Philippines
55. Poland
56. Portugal
57. Romania
58. Russia
59. Saudi Arabia
60. Singapore
61. Slovakia
62. Spain
63. Sweden
64. Switzerland
65. Thailand
66. Trinidad and Tobago
67. Turkey
68. Ukraine
69. United Arab Emirates
70. United Kingdom
71. United States of America
72. Uruguay
73. Venezuela
74. Viet Nam
75. West Bank and Gaza Strip
S.No Name of the Country
1. Argentina
2. Australia
3. Austria
4. Bahamas
5. Bahrain
6. Barbados
7. Belgium
8. Bolivia
9. Brazil
10. Bulgaria
11. Canada
12. Cayman Islands, UKOT
13. Chile
14. China
15. Colombia
16. Costa Rica
17. Cuba
18. Cyprus
19. Czech Republic
20. Denmark
21. Dominica
22. Dominican Republic
23. Ecuador
24. Egypt
25. El Salvador
26. Estonia
27. Finland
28. France
29. Germany
30. Greece
31. Guatemala
32. Honduras
33. Hungary
34. Iceland
35. India
36. Ireland
37. Israel
38. Italy
39. Jamaica
40. Japan
41. Korea, Republic of
42. Kuwait
43. Lebanon
44. Luxembourg
45. Malaysia
46. Mexico
47. Netherlands
48. New Zealand
49. Nicaragua
50. Norway
51. Panama
52. Paraguay
53. Peru
54. Philippines
55. Poland
56. Portugal
57. Romania
58. Russia
59. Saudi Arabia
60. Singapore
61. Slovakia
62. Spain
63. Sweden
64. Switzerland
65. Thailand
66. Trinidad and Tobago
67. Turkey
68. Ukraine
69. United Arab Emirates
70. United Kingdom
71. United States of America
72. Uruguay
73. Venezuela
74. Viet Nam
75. West Bank and Gaza Strip
What are the signs and symptoms of infection?
Early signs of influenza A (H1N1) are flu-like, including fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat and runny nose, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhoea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
How do people become infected with influenza A (H1N1)?
Outbreaks in humans are now occurring from human-to-human transmission. When infected people cough or sneeze, infected droplets get on their hands, drop onto surfaces, or are dispersed into the air. Another person can breathe in contaminated air, or touch infected hands or surfaces, and be exposed.
Fish oil supplements can cut memory loss in the elderly
A study carried out by American bio science company Martek suggests that taking fish oil supplements can reduce memory loss in old age.
Dr Karin Yurko-Mauro, a researcher associated with the company, has revealed that taking a supplement of omega 3 for six months had a beneficial effect on people with age-related forgetfulness and loss of learning ability during the study.
The research team tested the affect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the most commonly found in fish oil, on 485 healthy people with an average age of 70, and found that memory and general brain function increased significantly.
According to the study report, taking 900mg capsules every day was found to be the equivalent of turning back the clock three years.
The researchers hope that future studies will provide promising results suggesting that the fatty acid may help stave off Alzheimer's disease, if new techniques can be found to diagnose it before it take holds.
Dr Yurko-Mauro said that the participants who took the supplements had "almost double the reduction in errors on a test that measures learning and memory performance."
"The benefit is roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.
Dr. William Thies, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer's Association, feels that it is "too early" to make a recommendation about use of DHA supplements to prevent loss of mental function.
"In high doses, DHA does have side effects, so you would want to see a benefit to justify the risk you are taking. We need more work for that," he said.
A presentation on the study was made at the international Alzheimer's Association meeting in Vienna, Austria. (ANI)
Dr Karin Yurko-Mauro, a researcher associated with the company, has revealed that taking a supplement of omega 3 for six months had a beneficial effect on people with age-related forgetfulness and loss of learning ability during the study.
The research team tested the affect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the most commonly found in fish oil, on 485 healthy people with an average age of 70, and found that memory and general brain function increased significantly.
According to the study report, taking 900mg capsules every day was found to be the equivalent of turning back the clock three years.
The researchers hope that future studies will provide promising results suggesting that the fatty acid may help stave off Alzheimer's disease, if new techniques can be found to diagnose it before it take holds.
Dr Yurko-Mauro said that the participants who took the supplements had "almost double the reduction in errors on a test that measures learning and memory performance."
"The benefit is roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger," the Telegraph quoted him as saying.
Dr. William Thies, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at the Alzheimer's Association, feels that it is "too early" to make a recommendation about use of DHA supplements to prevent loss of mental function.
"In high doses, DHA does have side effects, so you would want to see a benefit to justify the risk you are taking. We need more work for that," he said.
A presentation on the study was made at the international Alzheimer's Association meeting in Vienna, Austria. (ANI)
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