Bird Flu

<div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The bird flu also known as <strong>avian flu</strong> or<strong>avian influenza</strong> is a threat that many of us have become aware of with the media warning us that a pandemic may be emerging. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Bird flu is a type A influenza, which is fundamentally a respiratory virus which causes coughing, sore throat, fatigue, fever, muscle aches and congestion.  This strain of influenza virus, also known as<strong>H5N1 virus</strong> appeared in Asia approximately eight years ago affecting particularly their poultry.  H5N1 is a classification type of code that refers to the proteins on the surface of the virus.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong>Quick Stats:</strong></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong>Identified:</strong>  1997<br /> <strong>Where:</strong> Southern China<br /> <strong>Virus family:</strong> Influenza viruses<br /> <strong>Number of victims:</strong> 205 by spring 2006<br /> <strong>Number of deaths:</strong> 113 by spring 2006<br /> <br /> Throughout history, the flu virus has mutated significantly and developed into different versions of itself.  The H1N1 virus was accountable for the <strong>Spanish Flu</strong> <strong>in 1918</strong>which was the deadliest influenza outbreak in history.  The number of people killed from the flu outnumbered those who died in battle during all of World War I. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img align="left" alt="bird flu image" border="0" height="203" src="http://www.forhealthtips.com/images/421784_bird%20flu.jpg" style="height: 184px; vertical-align: super; width: 268px;" title="bird flu image" width="283" /></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The <strong>H2N2 virus</strong> was responsible for the <strong>Asian Flu in 1957</strong>, killing over 1 million people all over the world, with almost 70,000 deaths in the United States. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The <strong>H3N2 strain</strong> appeared a decade later in <strong>Hong Kong in 1968.</strong>  The Hong Kong flu virus was responsible for over 33,000 deaths in the United States.  This is an example of how the virus has mutated and found its way to spread, infect and resist the factors that could obstruct its spread. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The <strong>H5N1 virus</strong>, a new strain of avian flu appeared in <strong>Hong Kong in 1997. </strong> Approximately 1.5 million birds were slaughtered in Hong Kong.  And because this disease spreads uncontrollably among birds, it was named <strong>bird flu</strong>.  Eighteen cases of human infection were reported at that time, of which six had died.  It was reassuring to learn that these victims became infected from direct contact with an infected bird, rather than from an infected person. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The medical and scientific community, begun to treat avian influenza with more interest after the discovery of the H5N1 virus.  Until then, the virus would only attack birds at a lower rate and even in those cases where humans became infected, the virus would generate minor effects.  Although the chances  for humans to contract the H5N1 bird flu are very slim, the H5N1 bird flu is highly dangerous, especially through SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and complicated cases of flu pneumonia.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Birds transmit the virus to each other through their feces, touching one another, sneezing and coughing, but chances are very small for humans to get infected by the virus straight from a bird.  In 2004 scientists discovered that ducks were silent carriers of the virus.  While ducks were not affected by the virus, they contributed to spread the virus through their feces. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Flu viruses are mutating in small ways all the time.  When big changes take place, which are less common, the entire world population would be at great risk leading to a pandemic. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This mutation, known as antigenic shift, happens when different type of viruses mix in a host, be it an animal or human being and exchange their genetic material to create a new virus.  When this new virus is virulent, meaning that it can make people sick, and it spreads easily among people, a large population will catch it and become very ill.  The rates of sick people and death will be considerably higher than with an ordinary flu.  A <strong>pandemic</strong> is possible but not inevitable. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Based on history and timing alone, the scientific community believes that the world is overdue for another pandemic, whether it is H5N1 or another virus.  The frightening factor about this virus begun when suddenly it was transmitted from birds into people resulting in a deadly virus in humans. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /> </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Follow : <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html">http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html</a></span></div>

Bird Flu

The bird flu also known as  avian flu  or avian influenza  is a threat that many of us have become aware of with the media warning us that a...

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Recovering From The Flu

<div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">First you need to determine if you have the flu as its symptoms are relatively similar to the ones of a common cold.  If you are feeling a brain-mashing headache, together with muscle aches, fatigue, vomiting, sore throat and a fever that makes you shiver and sweat, these are all strong clues that the flu has its hold on you.   </span></div><h2 align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #3cb99c;"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">How to treat the flu - There are some things you can do to speed up your recovery from the flu</span></span></h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=91686&u=183257&m=13402&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"></a></span><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">Make sure you give yourself enough time to recover completely, or you could end up with a slower recovery and develop some complications. </span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">Stay home, remain indoors and <strong>get a lot of rest</strong>.  Although it is advised that you stay in bed, some physical exercise such as stretching can help you with your muscle and body aches.  But don't overdo it and avoid becoming chilled as this may weaken the body's defense mechanism.   It’s best if the treatment is done without leaving the house for a few days.  External factors such as cold or bad weather may prolong or even intensify the disease and slow your recovery. </span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #000099;"><strong>What to eat when you have the flu</strong></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">You need to keep an effective defense against the influenza virus.  Eat <strong>vitamin C-rich</strong> fresh fruits and vegetables.  Vitamin C has excellent antioxidant properties and will help in your effort to recover.  Good sources of vitamin C are citrus fruits, strawberries and Brussel sprouts.  Eat some lean meats, fish, cereals and whole grain breads to add more <strong>zinc</strong> to your system.<br /> <br /> You could also try eating some starchy foods like bananas, applesauce, dry toast, cottage cheese, baked potatoes, boiled rice, and cooked cereal.  When you haven't been eating regularly, starchy foods provide a gentle transition for your digestive system.  </span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;"><strong>Drink plenty of fluids</strong>.  The body can get dehydrated when you have fever, pushing the fever up even higher.  Proper hydration is essential in removing toxins from your body, and the more fluid you drink, the more your tissues are hydrated and the more mucous flows.   Water is the main candidate, but sports drinks, fruit juices, and soups can be beneficial as well.  Even if you don't feel thirsty, try to drink small amounts of liquids regularly.  Don't drink alcohol; they will dehydrate you and can lower your body's defense mechanism to fight the disease and secondary infections.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">Apply a heating pad on your body aches.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">As a <span style="color: #343434;"><strong>sore throat cure</strong></span>, <strong>gargle</strong> as needed.  Dissolve 1 tsp of salt in 1 pint of warm water.  See other alternatives in <a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Natural-Flu-Remedies.html">Natural Flu Remedies</a>.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #000099;"><strong>When to see your doctor</strong></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">See your Doctor if you are over 65 years of age and have some chronic conditions such as lung disease or heart disease or if you have been vomiting for over a day or have severe abdominal pain. </span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">Some common medicines to fight influenza are <strong>Acetaminophen</strong> (such as <strong>Tylenol</strong>), <strong>Aspirin</strong>  and <strong>Ibuprofen</strong>.  Take two tablets every four hours to reduce fever and relieve headache and any muscle aches that the flu virus may cause.  However, be careful not to give aspirin to anyone under 21, since research has establish a link between Reye's Syndrome and the use of aspirin.  Cough medicine and decongestants will also help with respiratory congestion. </span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;">Some prescription medicines include <strong>Oseltamivir</strong> (<strong>Tamiflu</strong>), <strong>Amantadine</strong>, <strong>Rimantadine</strong> or<strong>Zanamivir</strong> (<strong>Relenza</strong>).  These drugs are specifically created for preventing and treating the flu.  Yet the current flu virus, H3N2 has become progressively resistant to Amantadine and Rimantadine. In 1994 it was concluded that only 1% of the H3N2 cases were resistant to these medications and only 9 years later, by 2005 this resistance ratio was increased to over 90%.  There’s no guarantee that these medications will respond in the future as the virus may mutate into a new and improved version of itself, becoming resistant or immune to them.  In other words, the best flu medicine this year may be completely inefficient in the next flu season.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;"><span style="color: #000099;">You may also want to consider some <strong>alternative treatments</strong> as well</span>. </span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #343434;"><strong>Acupressure</strong> works by using pressure on a number of points in the body for various flu symptoms.  Also, <strong>hydrotherapy</strong> is a method using water to detoxify the body.  The water warms the body and causes you to sweat out harmful toxins.  <strong>Aromatherapy</strong> can be used as a preventive remedy.  Protect yourself by applying one drop each of tea tree oil and lemon essential oil in a glass of warm water and gargle.  A flu <strong>homeopathic remedy</strong> may also work.  Try <em>Gelsemium</em> if you have a headache and stuffy nose and are feeling weak, tired and chilled.  <em>Bryonia</em> will help with general achiness in your muscless and headache; it will also help you if you are thirsty for cold drinks and have a dry cough.<br /> <br /> Garlic has antiviral properties and it is a powerful cleanser of the mucous membranes.  Chew a clove of garlic as soon as you notice the first flu symptoms.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Another type of flu that we all became recently aware of is the <a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Bird-Flu.html">bird flu or avian flu</a>, which symptoms are similar to a regular cold or flu.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /> </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Follow : <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html">http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html</a></span></div>

Recovering From The Flu

First you need to determine if you have the flu as its symptoms are relatively similar to the ones of a common cold.  If you are feeling a b...

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The Flu - A Quick Summary

<div align="left" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With so much information available about the flu, I decided to pinpoint in a simple way the information that you may be looking for. </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Transmitted by:</span></strong></div><ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Touching contaminated objects by infected individuals, such as keyboards and doorknobs and money.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inhaling air that contains the virus. Stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing during the flu season.</span></li> </ul><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Preventive Measures</span></strong></div><ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wash your hands frequently.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Avoid crowds.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t sleep in a room with someone who has the flu.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t smoke and don’t drink alcohol, as these substances will lower your resistance to infection.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you feel some of the symptoms, chew a clove or more of raw garlic, preferably not on an empty stomach, as it has antiviral properties.</span></li> </ul><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Symptoms</span></strong></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may begin to experience the symptoms from one to four days after getting infected by the flu virus.</span></div><ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fever – Generally between 101° F and 102° F<img align="right" alt="general fatigue from flu graphic" border="0" height="193" src="http://www.forhealthtips.com/images/116121_tiredness_sets_in_.jpg" style="height: 169px; vertical-align: super; width: 221px;" title="general fatigue from flu graphic" width="247" /></span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chills</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sore throat</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Severe headache</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prostration</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nasal congestion</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sneezing</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aching muscles</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">General fatigue</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Loss of appetite</span></li> </ul><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some Facts:</span></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Typical of the flu: Rapidity to spread and highly contagious.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Incubation period: From one to four days.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 2em;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can catch the flu from someone who looks perfectly healthy as the infected person can infect others before he or she experiences any symptoms.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the first five – seven days after the onset, you can still infect others.</span></li> </ul></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are three different general categories of influenza viruses: Type A, Type B and Type C. All three types can mutate or change into new strains. Type A mutates consistently, creating new strains of the virus. So what are the consequences of this? You can never develop a permanent immunity to the flu.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In uncomplicated cases, the intense symptoms last for a few days, followed by a progressive recovery to normal health.  There are a few things you can do when</span> <a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Recovering-From-The-Flu.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">recovering from the flu</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to avoid slowing the recovering process. </span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In advanced cases, pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infection and dehydration may occur.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are a few tips of what you need to do if you have the flu, but make sure you read the next article as well:</span></b></div><ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rest in bed, especially while the fever is high.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drink plenty of fluids.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you have an appetite, eat mild transitional foods until you get back to regular meals- starchy foods like bananas, boiled rice, baked potatoes, cooked cereal, cottage cheese and dry toast.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a sore throat cure, it is good to gargle as needed dissolving 1 tsp of salt in 1 pint of warm water.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a headache, put an ice bag on your head. But make sure to keep the room warm. Avoid being chilled.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a humidifier on or a kettle with water boiling in the room most of the time.</span></li> <li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t drink alcohol. That will dehydrate you and as mentioned above, it could lower your resistance to infection.</span></li> </ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /> Follow : </span><a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html">http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html</a></div>

The Flu - A Quick Summary

With so much information available about the flu, I decided to pinpoint in a simple way the information that you may be looking for.  Transm...

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Natural Flu Remedies

<div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #383838;">It is <strong>flu season</strong> again and we all know fairly well what we have to cope with if we catch the flu.  Time for chills, fever, headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, etc. Very annoying symptoms.  While most people visit their doctor for a treatment, a lot of people prefer to take natural flu remedies.  Take these home remedies with a grain of salt. If you are suffering from intense flu symptoms, the best thing that you can do for your personal health is to visit your doctor.  In some cases, the flu can lead to other problems such as ear infections and pneumonia.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #383838;"><strong>Drink large amount of fluids</strong> - vegetable/fruit juices and soups.</span> </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">By letting the mucus membranes that line the respiratory tract get dehydrated, we create a 'friendly' environment for the virus.  When drinking plenty of fluids and/or using a vaporizer, we help maintain a moist respiratory tract that resists viral infection and replace the fluids that we lose thru perspiration and runny nose.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>Goldenseal</em> is a powerful herb that stimulates the immune response.  It contains a natural antibiotic that can help prevent bacterial infections.  Goldenseal tea will help you clear the mucus from your throat and it is highly recommended.  To make tea, steep 1 tsp goldenseal in 1 pint of water for 20 minutes.  Have one cup every 8 hours. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>Echinacea</em> is supossed to work wonders with powerful antiviral and immunity boosting effects, strengthening your resistance to infections.  Mix 1 cup of water with 2 tsp of echinacea and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.  Drink 1 cup every 8 hours. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>Apples: </em>Either raw or as apple juice, found to be beneficial for working against runny nose, fevers and inflammation.  On an empty stomach, they are good laxatives.  An apple a day... keeps the doctor away.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>Dark grapes</em>: Also found to be beneficial when having a runny nose.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>Chicken soup</em> is a popular choice for reducing the cold symptoms, such as congestion.  It is said to contain antibiotic properties which can work against the influenza virus<br /> <em><strong><br /> More tips...</strong></em></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>Garlic</em>: It is a powerful cleanser of the mucous membranes, especially those of the lungs, nose, sinuses and the throat.  Avoid all dairy products.  They will make your mucus thicker.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>Onion</em>: Similar to garlic.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>Hot spicy foods</em>, those that make your eyes water, will help you drain your nose. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><em>As a sore throat cure</em>, try to <strong>gargle</strong> 1 tablespoon <em>vinegar</em> to an 8 ounce glass of warm water.  Another home recipe for sore throat: gargle with <em>pure fresh</em> <em>wheatgrass chlorophyll</em>.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Apply <em>petroleum jelly</em> in and around your nostrils if your nose is getting sensitive due to all the symptoms.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If you’re having trouble sleeping due to congestion, try elevating your head so that you can breathe more clearly.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Avoid <em>smoking</em>.  Smoking increases your susceptibility to all kinds of respiratory infections.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /> </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Follow : <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html">http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html</a></span></div>

Natural Flu Remedies

It is  flu season  again and we all know fairly well what we have to cope with if we catch the flu.  Time for chills, fever, headaches, musc...

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Flu Prevention

<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Typical of the flu is its rapidity to disseminate and the high degree of contagiousness under ideal circumstances.  Besides, the flu viruses mutate from year to year. Every year there is a new type of flu strain that is dominant, what this means is that you can never develop a permanent immunity to influenza.  Preventing the flu can be very difficult and it is important for you to know the basics of the flu and how it spreads to prevent it as much as you can.  A healthy immune system is the key to protect yourself against repetitive colds. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #383838;">In this article, we’ll offer some tips that can help to keep you safe from the flu when the season</span> <span style="color: #383838;">strikes.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="color: #000099;">Seasons:</span></strong></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #383838;">The flu occurs at different times throughout the world, with a pronounced tendency to hit the hardest during the winter months.  Why? Some scientists feel that since everyone tends to stay inside during the wintertime, our quarters are more confined and the illness has a chance to spread more effectively. Others feel that the cold weather can prove to be an efficient breeding ground for the virus, and it may allow the virus to live longer and possess a greater chance of infecting another person.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="color: #000099;">How is the influenza virus transmitted?</span></strong></div><ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><li><div align="justify"><span style="color: #383838;">By inhaling the air that contains the virus.  Sneezes and coughs can send flu particles flying through the air as far as three feet, causing more and more people to fall victim to the virus. It’s also important to remain very hygienic when flu season is about, making sure to wash your hands regularly.<br /> </span></div></li> <li><div align="justify"><span style="color: #383838;">By touching contaminated items.  Doorknobs, keyboards, and other common shared areas can be host to the flu virus.  Do your best to avoid touching your eyes, nose, or your mouth before you wash your hands, as you can come down with the flu through this manner.</span></div></li> </ul><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="color: #000099;">What can you do?</span></strong></div><ul style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><li style="color: #333333;"><div align="justify"><span style="color: #383838;">Make sure to avoid <strong>close contact</strong> with any co-workers who may be sick. But it is also very important to remember that the flu can spread a day before someone even experiences any symptoms, and it can still spread up to five days after all the symptoms have disappeared.  For this reason, minimize unnecesary close contact with people and <strong>crowded places</strong>.<br /> </span></div></li> <li style="color: #333333;"><div align="justify"><span style="color: #383838;"><strong>Wash your hands regularly</strong>, as common areas such as the workplace or school are often breeding grounds for the flu virus. If you’ve come down with the flue, be sure to cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough as to prevent further infections from the virus. Also, be sure to throw away used tissues immediately and after you are done having the flu, change your bed linens.<br /> <strong><br /> </strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color: #383838;">Keep your immune system as strong as possible to minimize the chance of getting the flu but also because the immune system is responsible for eliminating the flu virus.  Be sure to get enough sleep, and eat a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Some people find that supplements such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E are helpful when it comes to boosting immune response. If you live somewhere where a flu outbreak has taken place, you may want to ask your doctor about preventative antiviral medications that can help to keep you safe from the sickness.</span></div></li> <li style="color: #333333;"><div align="justify"><span style="color: #383838;"><br /> </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color: #383838;">Many opt for a <strong>flu vaccine</strong>, however vaccines aren’t a surefire method of preventing the disease They change from year to year as different strains of the virus spread, so it’s important to get one a month or two before flu season begins in order to reap the benefits. For those who are fearful of injections, they’ve recently introduced a nasal spray vaccine which can provide the same efficiency when it comes to preventing the flu. If a flu outbreak has recently occurred in your office and you are afraid of falling victim, you may want to speak to your doctor in order to get an antiviral compound such as Tamiflu which can help you to avoid coming down with the illness.</span></div></li> </ul><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #383838;">If you already have the flu, try  some <a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Natural-Flu-Remedies.html">natural flu home remedies</a> to help you cope it a little easier.  If you are a <strong>diabetic</strong> or suffer from another chronic disease, talk to you doctor about how to get immunized before the flu season starts.   <strong>Elderly people above 65</strong> should also consult with their doctor to get some advice.</span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #383838;"><br /> </span></div><div align="justify" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #383838;">Follow : </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html">http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html</a></span></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #383838;"><br /> </span></div>

Flu Prevention

Typical of the flu is its rapidity to disseminate and the high degree of contagiousness under ideal circumstances.  Besides, the flu viruses...

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A Cold or The Flu (Influenza)?

<div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">First, we need to mention that the<strong>influenza and the common cold</strong> are both contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract, and they come from different viral families.  The <strong>flu viruses</strong>form a category of its own (the Orthomyxoviridae family), common cold can be caused by up to four hundred viruses.  Unfortunately, there is no absolute cure for any of them and checking and determining which virus is causing your cold, will not be advantageous in helping you recover any faster.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">While the symptoms are very similar, influenza is more severe.  Sore throat, congestion, runny nose and sneezing are common with colds and both diseases bring coughing, headache and chest discomfort.  The symptoms of flu tend to cause one to have more symptoms of fever, aching of the body, and dry coughing than the common cold. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Complications from colds usually present a much less serious threat to one's health, as the flu can lead to other problems such as pneumonia and sinus infections, while those with the cold rarely have to make a trip to the hospital. Colds primarily cause problems in the head alone, and many call them head colds as most of the symptoms exist purely from the neck-up. Influenza, on the other hand, affects the whole body and can be quite threatening to ones health, especially those who are very young or very old.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The viruses that cause the illnesses are very different, but they do result in many of the same symptoms.  For this reason, many people have trouble telling the two apart by symptoms alone.  For example, both cases of flu and common cold may very well start with afflictions of the <strong>upper respiratory system</strong> (mainly the nose and throat) such as constant sneezing, nasal congestion, sore and dry throat (or phlegmy throat in some cases) and coughing. In addition, both diseases can cause mild headaches, fevers, muscle soreness and a general state of weakness and nausea, although these symptoms are more severe in flu cases.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They spread in much the same way, with the affected individuals coughing or sneezing and releasing more of the virus particles into the air for others to fall victim to. However some studies have found that the beads of moisture in which the germs are expelled during coughing and sneezing, generally they fall to the ground unless immediately inhaled, discovering that a much higher number of infection causing microbes are present on the hands of people suffering from these illnesses than in the air into which they have been coughing or sneezing. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><img align="left" alt="child with cold image" border="0" height="202" src="http://www.forhealthtips.com/images/386306_sick%20child.jpg" style="vertical-align: super;" title="child with cold image" width="268" />Generally, colds are very contagious especially in young children.  As adults, our tendency to catch a cold decreases possibly due to some developed immunity.  Cold symptoms settle in between one and four days after the getting infected by the cold virus.  During he first three days we feel the symptoms, we are the most contagious. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Usually, the <strong>flu virus symptoms</strong> will roughly manifest 24-48 hours after the virus has infected the body, whereas common cold viruses are triggered slower. This means that it’s a lot easier to prevent a case of common cold than one of flu, stopping the viruses from their roots before spreading and making the situation worse.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">One thing that the two illnesses have in common is the fact that we do not yet have a cure for them. However, there are vaccines that are available that can make you immune to the new strains of the flu that come around from year to year. For that reason, <a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Prevention.html">the flu is much more preventable</a> than the common cold. While instances of the common cold may appear at random, the flu tends to strike seasonally, with most becoming affected in the middle of winter.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /> </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></div><div align="justify">The flu is highly contagious and within two to three weeks, it will have travelled amongst the people that you surround yourself with, with schools and the workplace being particularly troublesome when it comes to catching the illness. The flu also tends to last a little longer than the common cold, with people often getting over the cold within a week whereas the flu can stick around for up to two weeks.</div><div align="justify">If left untreated, both diseases can cause<strong>complications</strong>, but the flu is by far the worse. Flu cases can easily lead to death if not treated, since the virus is a lot more powerful and it is also more adaptable to avoiding medication and to countering the infected person’s immune system (actually, the flu virus is known to be one of the most "instinctive" and adaptable viruses of all time, since it constantly mutates into newer, better versions).</div><div align="justify">A case of flu can become deadly in many ways, either through high fever, reducing the immune system to a point where the body is easily afflicted by numerous other diseases, but most commonly, flu is deadly by causing an acute respiratory deficiency. On the other hand, it’s relatively hard for a common cold to become lethal. Even if left untreated by modern medication, a common cold can be naturally healed. And while the cold itself will almost never be the cause of death, the complications it can produce, such as pneumonia for example, may very well do so.</div><div align="justify"><img align="right" alt="wash hands to prevent cold or flu image" border="0" height="234" src="http://www.forhealthtips.com/images/477799_hands_washing_female.jpg" style="vertical-align: super;" title="wash hands to prevent cold or flu image" width="187" />When it comes to keeping the illnesses at bay, your best bet is to exercise caution when it comes to being sanitary. When flu season strikes or someone around you has a cold, be sure to wash your hands often. </div><div align="justify">Also, if you are a smoker, you may want to avoid the habit for a few days as it can prove to have a negative effect on your body’s ability to prevent respiratory illnesses.</div><div align="justify">Adequate rest is very important for both the flu and the common cold.  Drinking plenty of water is also very important as moist tissues are harder for a virus to infect than dry tissues. </div><div align="justify"><br /> </div><div align="justify">Articles From : <a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html">http://www.forhealthtips.com/Flu-Articles.html</a></div>

A Cold or The Flu (Influenza)?

First, we need to mention that the influenza and the common cold  are both contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract, and they co...

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The Flu - What is it?

<div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Flu is the popular non-medical term given to the influenza disease, also known as grippe.  The flu is an acute, infectious and extremely contagious viral disease that comes on suddenly.  The onset may be so sudden, a matter of few minutes, that it is a almost unbelievable that a person could feel so bad so quickly.  It can afflict humans, birds and mammals alike. </div><h2 align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #006699; font-size: medium;">Types of Flu</span></h2><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This disease is caused by any one of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong>three strains</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">(A, B, C) of influenza viruses.  Orthomyxoviridae family is the name given to this family of</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong>influenza viruses</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">that can cause distinct types of flu with weaker or stronger characteristics.</span><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In addition, while these three strains of influenza viruses have the ability to mutate into newer, more powerful or cunning forms, <strong>type A influenza</strong> mutates constantly, producing new strains of the virus every few years.  In other words, you can never be indefinitetly immune to flu.  This means that the antibodies that you may have developed against the flu virus one year, are unlikely to protect you against a new strain of the flu virus another year. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The type A strain is the most damaging to humans, and the Spanish flu, Asian flu, Hong Kong flu, and the H5N1 avian flu are all type A strains.  Currently, the world is facing a particularly deadly form of influenza known as the H5N1, or bird flu strain.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">While major epidemics occurring from time to time are caused by type A mutations, types B and C are not so common, generally resulting in milder cases and local outbreaks.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="color: #000099;">Flu Virus Symptoms - How does influenza virus attack the body?</span></strong></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The flu symptoms are fairly well known.  Influenza attacks suddenly with chills, high fever generally between 101<span style="font-family: Symbol;">°</span> F and 102<span style="font-family: Symbol;">°</span>F and uncommonly as high as 106<span style="font-family: Symbol;">°</span>F, muscular aches, headache, prostration, weakness, loss of appetite, general aches and pains, sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, irritated eyes, extreme coldness (combined with shivers), severe coughing, and a general state of fatigue and nausea.  <a href="http://www.forhealthtips.com/A-Cold-or-The-Flu-Which-One-Is-It-.html">Symptoms are similar to those of the common cold</a>, creating some confusion that we clarify on the next article.  On particular cases of flu, the symptoms may include vomiting, headaches, loss of smell, sore joints, heavy sneezing and so forth.<br /> There may be abdominal pain and diarrhea.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">While symptoms for most flu types are roughly similar, each new virus may bring additional effects to the body. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">A main danger from this disease is that germs that may be hiding in the nose and throat will attack the weakened body causing ear infections, sinusitis, or other complications.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="color: #000099;">How long does the flu last</span></strong></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In general, the acute symptoms last for only a few days, followed by a gradual recovery of normal strength.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong>Incubation period:</strong>  1 to 4 days.  An because influenza is excedingly infectious, the disease spreads quite rapidly.  The infection enters thru the nose and moth and is transmitted to some extent by sneezing and coughing.<br /> <strong>Danger of contagiousness:</strong> the disease is probably not transmitted by the infected person for more than a week after the onset.  However, persons with an illness so light that are not manifesting its true nature, play an important part in spreading the disease. </div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span style="color: #000099;">Flu Seasons</span></strong></div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As with most viral diseases, flu is favored by some external weather and season factors. The peak in the Northern Hemisphere is during January or February however, it needs to be taken into account that the winter season occurs at different times throughout the world.  In relation to this fact, the World Health Organization (WHO), with the help of the National Influenza Centers (NIC) produce two anti-flu vaccines per year, in order to cope with both peaks.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Science is still unsure about what causes the seasonal influenza, but it is suspected that the cause is due to the fact that people are in close quarters more often during the winter time. Also, colder temperatures can provide a more stable environment for the virus to live, for example, it may stick around longer than usual when it is spread through things such as doorknobs.</div><div align="justify" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Some strains of the influenza virus tend to find it more suitable to spread during the change from winter to spring.   At the first sign of relative spring heat, clothing changes radically to lighter accessories and this radical change makes it easier for the virus to spread. In some areas that are close to the tropics, the flu peak is considered to be all through the year, so these are the most likely to be hit by a pandemic.<br /> During an epidemic it is good advice to keep out of crowds.</div>

The Flu - What is it?

Flu is the popular non-medical term given to the influenza disease, also known as grippe.  The flu is an acute, infectious and extremely con...

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