We have established in greater detail elsewhere on this site that the main concern about bird flu is that it may make the transition from being a bird -> human transmission to being a human -> human transmission. At present, even working/living in very close proximity to infected birds it is difficult for a human to contract bird flu. The real concern is that over the coming months, the virus may evolve to allow human transmission.
Remember bird flu is like any other cold or flu. There are thing that can be done to cut down the risk of contracting it. Infection takes place by particles of the flu virus becoming airborne (often due to a sneeze or cough) and then floating around in the air until they are inhaled by another individual.
It is stopping this passage from one individual to another that will cut the risk of transmission. Among the are precautions you can take are:-
* Wash your hands regularly - after visiting the bathroom, before preparing food, before you eat, after playing with pets, when they are dirty etc. Viruses are often spread by rubbing the nose, eyes or mouth after you hands become contaminated with the virus.
* Avoid rubbing nose, mouth and eyes - for the reasons above.
* Antibacterial soaps won't help - Antibacterial soaps will be of no advantage over regular soap.
* Adopt good cough manners - remember what you were told as a child about coughing/sneezing into a hankerchief - if you are not quick enough your hand or your elbow are probably less effective, but better than nothing.
* Teach your children all of this - Children are less likely to obey the rules above than you are. Make sure you teach them how to avoid colds and flus too.
* Avoid people who are sick - minimise contact with those who are sick.
* If you are sick try to avoid others - don't go to work, or send your children to school or daycare if they are showing the symptoms.
* Avoid smoking if possible - some studies have shown that smokers are more at risk from flu than non smokers.
* Take care with bird faeces - when washing your car take particular care with bird droppings, bird flu to date has been almost exclusively caught from inhaling microscopic fragements of dried dropping floating aroud in the air.
* Current flu shots will not help - until scientists develop a vaccine for the current strain of bird flu other vaccines will not help. In fact initally it is believed to weaken the immune system, so you are more likely to come down with the flu after vaccination.
Showing posts with label bird flu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bird flu. Show all posts
DYNAMIC HEALTH LINK : 5 Tips To Help Your Family Avoid The Bird Flu
Health experts claim that the Bird Flu pandemic is not an if, but a when. However,
there are measures that can reduce the likelihood of transmission. Discover five
important steps that might help individuals avoid the deadly bird flu.
health officials continue to brace for the possibility of a bird flu pandemic. The avian influenza A (H5N1)
outbreak in Asia and parts of Europe, the Near East, and Africa is not expected to
diminish significantly in the short term. It is likely that H5N1 infection among
birds has become endemic in certain areas and that human infections resulting from
direct contact with infected poultry will continue to occur. There is little
pre-existing natural immunity to H5N1 infection in the human population. If these
H5N1 viruses gain the ability for efficient and sustained transmission among humans,
an influenza pandemic could result, with potentially high rates of illness and
death. In addition, the virus shows resistance to the antiviral medications
amantadine and rimantadine, medications commonly used for treatment of influenza
There has been a lot of discussion and fear surrounding the bird flu and the threat
it poses for a possible global pandemic. History buffs and health officials draw
comparisons to the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 that killed 100 million people
worldwide. High ranking government officials from around the world have spoken in
the press about the potential devastation of the bird flu. " The fact of the matter
is, when it comes to pandemics, we are overdue and we are under prepared," warned
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Mike Leavitt, at a forum on April 19,
2006, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
However, with all the heavy discussion concerning the possible death tolls and the
tracking of its spread across the world, little has been mentioned concerning
measures ordinary citizens should take to help lower the possibility of infection
once the bird flu reaches one\'s immediate community. 5 steps everyone should take in
order to lower the possibility of the transmission of the bird flu include:
1. Avoiding large gatherings and lots of people
2. Washing hands frequently
3. Building up the immune system prior to arrival of bird flu
4. Avoiding loaning out items.
5. Self-quarantining oneself and one's family. That means stockpiling supplies.
there are measures that can reduce the likelihood of transmission. Discover five
important steps that might help individuals avoid the deadly bird flu.
health officials continue to brace for the possibility of a bird flu pandemic. The avian influenza A (H5N1)
outbreak in Asia and parts of Europe, the Near East, and Africa is not expected to
diminish significantly in the short term. It is likely that H5N1 infection among
birds has become endemic in certain areas and that human infections resulting from
direct contact with infected poultry will continue to occur. There is little
pre-existing natural immunity to H5N1 infection in the human population. If these
H5N1 viruses gain the ability for efficient and sustained transmission among humans,
an influenza pandemic could result, with potentially high rates of illness and
death. In addition, the virus shows resistance to the antiviral medications
amantadine and rimantadine, medications commonly used for treatment of influenza
There has been a lot of discussion and fear surrounding the bird flu and the threat
it poses for a possible global pandemic. History buffs and health officials draw
comparisons to the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 that killed 100 million people
worldwide. High ranking government officials from around the world have spoken in
the press about the potential devastation of the bird flu. " The fact of the matter
is, when it comes to pandemics, we are overdue and we are under prepared," warned
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Mike Leavitt, at a forum on April 19,
2006, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
However, with all the heavy discussion concerning the possible death tolls and the
tracking of its spread across the world, little has been mentioned concerning
measures ordinary citizens should take to help lower the possibility of infection
once the bird flu reaches one\'s immediate community. 5 steps everyone should take in
order to lower the possibility of the transmission of the bird flu include:
1. Avoiding large gatherings and lots of people
2. Washing hands frequently
3. Building up the immune system prior to arrival of bird flu
4. Avoiding loaning out items.
5. Self-quarantining oneself and one's family. That means stockpiling supplies.
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