H1N1 (swine flu) was initially detected in mid April of 2009 in people in the U.S. It was called swine flu because a number of the virus' genes were similar to the virus which is normally found in pigs. As further studies progressed, it showed that it was, after all, very different from those found in pigs in North America. It is called a "quadruple reasserting virus" because it is linked to bird and human genes and its virus' genes are similar to the virus which is found in pigs in Europe and Asia. As of October 11, 2009, the World Health Organization was able to record 4,735 deaths from different countries because of swine flu.
Myths:
1. Some people believe that H1N1 is worse than seasonal flu. It isn't. In the U.S., only one percent from all those infected with the virus die. This is around 300 people. There are thirty six thousand Americans who die annually because of the seasonal flu. Authorities were only worried because H1N1 has a strain which was never seen before.
2. Healthy people need not worry about getting the swine flu. This is wrong. It is just like seasonal flu because it can affect anyone. It only happens that those people with underlying health conditions are more prone to get the virus compared to healthy people.
3. Some people believe that the swine flue vaccine will only give them the flu. This is not possible because the virus found on the flu shot was killed already. Some people mistakes the common fever experienced as the flu itself. Fever experienced after the vaccine is actually the result of the body's immune system fighting off a foreign substance. Also, some people think that the common cold they have is already the flu. What many people aren't aware of is that flu season happens at the same time as cold season.
4. Some people believe that vaccines are harmful. The best way get immunity to the virus is by direct contact. This isn't the right way to get immunity. This is in fact very dangerous. While you believe that you can get immunity when you are in direct contact with the virus itself, you are actually most likely to get the disease yourself rather than being healed.
5. People should stop eating pork since the virus is linked to that of the pigs'. This is absolutely wrong. The spread of the virus is only between humans. It comes from a sick person to a host's mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth and nose. There have been no proof yet that the virus is passed from a pig to a person.
These are some of the myths being tossed around regarding the swine flu virus. One good way to avoid this is through getting oneself educated. There are agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and hospitals which are active in promoting information about the H1N1. In order to be better informed and protected, it is best that these health authorities are contacted.
Realities:
1. As with any epidemic that affects millions of people all over the world there are bound to be myths and realities associated with the condition and this further creates a fear psychosis. Governments which are already stretched with all their resources have the additional responsibility of trying to control any sort of rumor that could create a panic situation. Death caused by reasons other than the H1N1 virus is also attributed to have been caused by the virus and this raises the calamity figures substantially. It leads to people putting additional pressure on the testing centers as more number of people wants to get tested for symptoms other than those specified for the virus. There are also a number of treatments been touted as the ultimate cure for the flu. Eating a particular herb or yoga and other forms of alternative medicines has all been widely discussed as a possible cure to stop the spread of the virus. There is no scientific proof as to whether these alternative forms of treatments work or not.
2. Fear drives people to try any sort of treatment advocated to fight the flu. A number of pills and medicines claiming to prevent and control the spread of the virus have been advertised and sold over the internet. As far as the guidelines issued by the WHO (World Health Organization) there is only one medicine recognized, tested, tried and proved to be effective against fighting the flu and it is known as Tamiflu. Any other form of treatment is not recommended as there is no concrete research to prove that the alternate forms work. There is also a myth that eating a particular type of food will help you to either avoid the virus or aggravate its spread. Nothing can be further away from the truth.
3. It is recommended that you eat good quality of foods high in vitamins and antioxidants which will help you boast your immune system. Consumption of nuts, fruits and food rich in carbohydrates have been found to improve one's health. A healthy body stands a better chance to fight the virus and this is the reason these food types are suggested but there is hardly any scientific evidence to support any food group preventing you from getting the swine flu. One of the biggest myths that have in a way affected an entire industry is that swine flu is caused by the consumption of ham or pork. Sausage industry which is hugely dependent on ham is badly affected.
4. Pork has earned a bad reputation but there is no scientific evidence to prove that consumption of ham causes swine flu. H1N1 virus is a respiratory disease and spreads from people to people contact and the poor swine has nothing to do with it but still continues to take the blame. The other myth is that one should lock oneself totally from social contact so as to prevent its spread. You can indulge in social activities with adequate precautions and there is no need to put your life on hold till the virus subsides which could take anywhere from six months to a year.
Myths:
1. Some people believe that H1N1 is worse than seasonal flu. It isn't. In the U.S., only one percent from all those infected with the virus die. This is around 300 people. There are thirty six thousand Americans who die annually because of the seasonal flu. Authorities were only worried because H1N1 has a strain which was never seen before.
2. Healthy people need not worry about getting the swine flu. This is wrong. It is just like seasonal flu because it can affect anyone. It only happens that those people with underlying health conditions are more prone to get the virus compared to healthy people.
3. Some people believe that the swine flue vaccine will only give them the flu. This is not possible because the virus found on the flu shot was killed already. Some people mistakes the common fever experienced as the flu itself. Fever experienced after the vaccine is actually the result of the body's immune system fighting off a foreign substance. Also, some people think that the common cold they have is already the flu. What many people aren't aware of is that flu season happens at the same time as cold season.
4. Some people believe that vaccines are harmful. The best way get immunity to the virus is by direct contact. This isn't the right way to get immunity. This is in fact very dangerous. While you believe that you can get immunity when you are in direct contact with the virus itself, you are actually most likely to get the disease yourself rather than being healed.
5. People should stop eating pork since the virus is linked to that of the pigs'. This is absolutely wrong. The spread of the virus is only between humans. It comes from a sick person to a host's mucous membranes such as the eyes, mouth and nose. There have been no proof yet that the virus is passed from a pig to a person.
These are some of the myths being tossed around regarding the swine flu virus. One good way to avoid this is through getting oneself educated. There are agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, U.S. Food and Drug Administration and hospitals which are active in promoting information about the H1N1. In order to be better informed and protected, it is best that these health authorities are contacted.
Realities:
1. As with any epidemic that affects millions of people all over the world there are bound to be myths and realities associated with the condition and this further creates a fear psychosis. Governments which are already stretched with all their resources have the additional responsibility of trying to control any sort of rumor that could create a panic situation. Death caused by reasons other than the H1N1 virus is also attributed to have been caused by the virus and this raises the calamity figures substantially. It leads to people putting additional pressure on the testing centers as more number of people wants to get tested for symptoms other than those specified for the virus. There are also a number of treatments been touted as the ultimate cure for the flu. Eating a particular herb or yoga and other forms of alternative medicines has all been widely discussed as a possible cure to stop the spread of the virus. There is no scientific proof as to whether these alternative forms of treatments work or not.
2. Fear drives people to try any sort of treatment advocated to fight the flu. A number of pills and medicines claiming to prevent and control the spread of the virus have been advertised and sold over the internet. As far as the guidelines issued by the WHO (World Health Organization) there is only one medicine recognized, tested, tried and proved to be effective against fighting the flu and it is known as Tamiflu. Any other form of treatment is not recommended as there is no concrete research to prove that the alternate forms work. There is also a myth that eating a particular type of food will help you to either avoid the virus or aggravate its spread. Nothing can be further away from the truth.
3. It is recommended that you eat good quality of foods high in vitamins and antioxidants which will help you boast your immune system. Consumption of nuts, fruits and food rich in carbohydrates have been found to improve one's health. A healthy body stands a better chance to fight the virus and this is the reason these food types are suggested but there is hardly any scientific evidence to support any food group preventing you from getting the swine flu. One of the biggest myths that have in a way affected an entire industry is that swine flu is caused by the consumption of ham or pork. Sausage industry which is hugely dependent on ham is badly affected.
4. Pork has earned a bad reputation but there is no scientific evidence to prove that consumption of ham causes swine flu. H1N1 virus is a respiratory disease and spreads from people to people contact and the poor swine has nothing to do with it but still continues to take the blame. The other myth is that one should lock oneself totally from social contact so as to prevent its spread. You can indulge in social activities with adequate precautions and there is no need to put your life on hold till the virus subsides which could take anywhere from six months to a year.
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