| As we rapidly find our way approaching fall and | | | | and people with prolonged health conditions similar |
| winter, seasonal influenza and colds are bound to | | | | to asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease. |
| start manifesting themselves quickly. In its latest | | | | The CDC has advocated that these groups as |
| Swine Flu update, the Centers for Disease Control | | | | well as health care workers are first on the |
| and Prevention said twenty one states are | | | | vaccination list. |
| already reporting widespread flu activity. | | | | The seasonal flu vaccination is particularly crucial |
| Physicians state they're afraid the two flu strains | | | | for anyone that has a chance for serious flu |
| (H1N1 Swine Flu and seasonal flu) could merge | | | | complications, reported by the CDC, including |
| together creating additional complications to an | | | | adolescents, anyone with a weak immune |
| already frightened society. If you then add in the | | | | system, women who are planning a pregnancy |
| common cold, which is the most common virus | | | | during the influenza season, people that are fifty |
| this time of the year, there is a chance that | | | | years or older, and health care professionals like |
| immune systems can be compromised by a one | | | | nurses and doctors. |
| two punch. | | | | Prevention is the Best Medicine |
| How can people figure out if the sniffles and | | | | Other than flu shots there are additional ways to |
| runny nose they are having are something that | | | | remain healthy and have a high chance of resisting |
| they should be worried about? Infectious disease | | | | these illnesses. Physicians will tell you to wash your |
| experts explain that the public should to be | | | | hands thoroughly with soap and water or a hand |
| cognizant of the symptoms. Dr. Shmuel Shoham, | | | | sanitizer and keep your fingers away from your |
| an infectious-disease medical specialist at | | | | face. If you need to sneeze you should sneeze |
| Washington Hospital Center, states the cold, | | | | into your elbow so that you don't spread your |
| seasonal flu and H1N1 swine flu are each | | | | germs to your hands or everyone and everything |
| respiratory diseases, but they are induced by | | | | else in the immediate area. |
| dissimilar viruses. | | | | Whenever you become sick and have severe |
| Symptoms of the common cold are consistent | | | | symptoms you should call your health care |
| with most people and may cause the patient to | | | | practitioner. Your family doctor may recommend |
| be quite miserable for three to five days. A | | | | antiviral drugs that will address the flu. Antiviral |
| person will commonly suffer from a stuffy nose, | | | | drugs are prescriptions (pills, liquid or an inhaled |
| congestion, aches and pains, and in some | | | | powder) that battle the flu by keeping the virus |
| instances a cough will develop. | | | | from multiplying throughout your system giving |
| As reported by the CDC they state that seasonal | | | | your immune system a better chance to fight off |
| flu and H1N1 Swine Flu symptoms are fever, | | | | the infection. |
| severe aches and pains, dry coughing, diarrhea | | | | Most importantly, stay away from other people. |
| and fatigue or lethargy. It can be almost | | | | If you have the flu, the Center for Disease |
| impossible without and examination or test to | | | | Control and Prevention recommends you remain |
| differentiate the seasonal form of flu from the | | | | home for at the very least 24 hours after your |
| H1N1 Swine Flu that is currently being studied. | | | | fever is gone. This is the best way to keep other |
| "People should acknowledge once they start to | | | | people from contracting the seasonal or H1N1 |
| feel bad. Whenever they begin to have | | | | Swine Flu virus |
| respiratory troubles, or are dehydrated because | | | | Keep your immune system strong and healthy. |
| of illness, they need go to see their doctor. It | | | | The best way to do this is by eating a healthy |
| could be Swine Flu or seasonal flu," says Shoham. | | | | selection of foods including many fruits and |
| "A few people with influenza could become very ill | | | | vegetables. Get a lot of sleep or rest and remain |
| and may end up in the hospital if it has not been | | | | active as well. Some of the best vitamins to begin |
| attended to." | | | | taking are Vitamin D, Vitamin C. Add these to |
| Most at Risk | | | | your daily nutritional plan to begin building your |
| The population at the largest risk for catching | | | | immune system now. Don't wait for and |
| H1N1 Swine Flu include adolescents and young | | | | outbreak, start today! |
| adults up to twenty five years, pregnant women, | | | | |