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MORE than 6,000 people in the United States have died from the H1N1 influenza, and more than 22 million came down with this flu since the pandemic invaded the USA in April, according to earlier estimates from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
While the incident seems to have picked, there are still a lot of cases reported. The vaccine for H1N1 is in short supply and being rationed. Full supply is expected to be met by the end of December 2009. The initial target group (given priority to receive the vaccine) includes healthcare workers (except those caring for patients with weakened immune system), women who are pregnant, those between 6 months old and 24, those who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months, and individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions.
A US military study shows that those who last year got the vaccine for seasonal flu have about 45 percent less risk of getting the H1N1 flu. The mortality rate from H1N1 flu is about 11 percent.
The son of a physician in Indiana, who was in his mid-20s and was taking Asian studies in China, died of complications of H1N1 flu. In Cebu, a young pregnant nurse also died of the same cause, together with her baby, who was born by emergency Caesarian section. As of November 28, 2009, there were 5212 cases of H1N1, with 30 deaths, in the Philippines, pending update.
The danger is real. Talk to your physician about getting the H1N1 vaccine.
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About 120,000 bottles Vicks Sinex nasal spray has been recalled by manufacturer Proctor & Gamble because of possible bacterial contamination.
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Re-analysis has shown than the more expensive N95 masks are no better than ordinary surgical mask, according to the same researchers who in September reported that “the N95 masks offer significant protection against flu.” Wearing a mask is still effective in lowering the risk of catching the flu, especially in crowded areas. And especially so with frequent hand-washing. Handrails and door knobs in public places, and paper money and coins are loaded with bacterial and viruses.
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Here are Mother’s popular home remedies for the flu: (1) Hydrate yourself. Drink warm water, warm tea, fruits juices, and if, diarrhea or vomiting is present, electrolyte drinks. Any alcoholic drink is bad for flu victims;
(2) Pamper yourself with rest; be a couch potato, when your tired and achy body craves for it;
(3) Eat chicken soup, which, according to a 2000 study in the medical journal, Chest, “help relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections.” Even the warm, vapor from the soup is soothing;
(4) Humidity is good, so use a thoroughly cleaned humidifier in your room, or have steamy warm bath. Breathing with a warm and wet towel covering your nose and mouth will give the same benefit. (I do this when I am a long international flight);
(5) To open clogged nasal airways and sinuses, I put a drape your head with a towel or a disposable laundry plastic bag and breathe over a basin with warm water for half a minute 3 times a day. A drop of eucalyptus oil in the water helps;
(6) Suck on cough drops throat lozenges to minimize cough and sore throat;
(7) For headache or sinus pain, I use warm compress over my forehead and nose;
(8) Gargling with saltwater (one teaspoon in a gallon of water) eliminate thick mucus behind the throat and also fight bacteria. Gargling two to 3 times with regular mouthwash also helps;
(9) Irrigation with saltwater using a bulb syringe into one nostril, and out the other, helps reduce head stuffiness and congestion;
(10) Quit tobacco, since smoking worsens this viral infection and increases the risk of pneumonia.
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“Double-dipping” (swiping a chip or biscuit in a bowl of dip, say melted cheese or salsa) and taking a bite and dipping the same again, contaminates the dip with bacteria or virus, and can spread strep throat or viral infection, even diarrhea. “Double-dipping,” a common party faux pas, was shown by studies at Clemson University to deposit thousands of saliva bacteria into the dip. So, no “double-dipping,” please.
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We have written about the adverse effects of cola and soft drinks as a whole, many leading to increased risk in the development of metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease/stroke). More studies now show that the phosphoric acid in this beverage promote kidney stone formation and damages the kidneys. Soft drinks also leads to significantly lower bone density in women, leading to higher risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. And the non-diet variety is loaded with tons of carbo (sugar) and predispose people to diabetes besides obesity.
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Fish oil is good not only to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases but for joint pains from arthritis. When taken, fish oil breaks down into hormonelike substance called prostaglandins, which are anti-inflammatory. In one study, 40% of arthritis patients who took cod-liver oil daily were about to reduce their use of arthritis drug NSAID by more than a third. Those with neck and back pains even did better with fish oil. This University of Pittsburgh study showed that nearly two out of three patients on fish oil were able to discontinue taking anti-arthritis pain meds at altogether.
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Sweat more and live longer. Medical research, reviewing 69 studies, revealed that those who did an hour of moderate exercise (walking, bicycling, swimming) at least 5 tines a week from their middle year to their 80s and 90s were able to preserve the health of their heart and lungs, compared to those 12 years their juniors. The review also revealed their chances of requiring assisted living were reduced to those of persons ten years younger. Simple brisk walking around the block daily will give us sweats of health and longevity.
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