Swine Flu II

(Community Matters) Well, have decided I should learn more if starting to worry – previous post here.

What I’m learning:

CDC site here

What is swine flu? Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Infectious period for a confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as 1 day prior to the case’s illness onset to 7 days after onset.

Close contact is defined as: within about 6 feet of an ill person who is a confirmed or suspected case of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection during the case’s infectious period.

Acute respiratory illness is defined as recent onset of at least two of the following: rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, sore throat, cough (with or without fever or feverishness)

Special Considerations for Children
Aspirin or aspirin-containing products (e.g. bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) should not be administered to any confirmed or suspected ill case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection aged 18 years old and younger due to the risk of Reye syndrome. For relief of fever, other anti-pyretic medications are recommended such as acetaminophen or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Evidence for benefits from treatment in studies of seasonal influenza is strongest when treatment is started within 48 hours of illness onset.

I mentioned in an earlier blog posting that a friend had recommended NAC (which I’ve ordered from Whole Foods since they’ve run out but are obtaining more of tomorrow). Below information from a survivalist message board – so I have no perspective of accuracy.

According to studies, the following supplements and herbs have shown some effectiveness with preventing and minimizing influenza:
· Vitamin D 2000 IU/day
· NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) 600mg bid with 1200mg Vitamin C (NAC can cause stomach aches and diarrhea in a small percentage of people and must be used with twice as much Vitamin C)
· Extracts of Olive leaf, Elderberry (Sambucus and Sambucol are good brands-try Whole Foods or organic/health food markets) and Astragalus

I haven’t resolved about air travel – though suppose I have for the interim since ST currently in Chicago, comes back Saturday night and we fly to Washington DC on Sunday. Steven feels we just need to be safe and wear masks on the plane, wash hands diligently and wipe off airplane surfaces with sterile wipes. We’re flying up for a party. Not at all inconceivable that our hosts may decide to postpone because of the public health alert.

Email message just received from Austin Independent School District Superintendent Pat Forgoine here