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Understanding The Swine Flu

Swine flu, which is also known as H1N1, is actually a respiratory problem that is caused by a virus. Originally this was thought to be a virus that affected pigs, which gave it the name "swine flu" but studies have shown that while this is a similar virus to the ones that occur in pigs, it is different in many ways. It actually includes two genes that come from the viruses that are known to circulate in some pigs, but it also includes human and bird genes as well. The number of cases of this flu across the world have brought local government and world officials to refer to this outbreak as a swine flu epidemic.

What are the Swine Flu Symptoms

It's important that you know about the swine flu symptoms and how they different from regular flu symptoms so you can get help if you need it. Here is a list of the symptoms that can come along with the swine flu.

- coughing

- body aches

- unusually high fever

- headaches

- feeling extreme fatigue

- sore throat

- runny nose

- chills

- vomiting and diarrhea

In some cases a more serious case of swine flu may end up causing flu symptoms like respiratory failure as well as pneumonia. There are some more serious symptoms that can occur as well that are signs that immediate medical attention is needed. These symptoms include the following:

- dehydration

- problems breathing or fast breathing

- vomiting that is persistent or severe

- flu symptoms get better and then come back with a cough that is worse and a fever

- skin that is gray or bluish

- not responding or waking up

There can be complications that come along with this strain of the flu, including the worsening of previous chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. Respiratory failure and pneumonia can be complications as well, and with the H1N1 virus, these complications seem to develop more rapidly than with other flu strains.

When is it time to call your doctor? Find out the 10 warning signs that it's time to call the doctor

The Causes and Spread of Swine Flu

Swine flu is a virus that is contagious and it is thought to spread the same way that seasonal flu tends to spread. Those who have the virus sneeze or cough, which causes droplets to go into the air that contain the virus, and many people can contact it that way and catch it. People are contagious up to a day or so before they have the swine flu symptoms and up to a week after they begin to show the symptoms, although children can be contagious even longer. Some people are afraid to eat pork, fearing this will cause the virus to occur, but this is not a problem, although it is always important to cook pork well before eating it.

You may be wondering how long does the flu last. This all depends on how early the swine flu is treated and whether or not people have other health problems as well. For those in good health, the flu may only last for 5-7 days, while others have had this flu last for more than 3 weeks. This will depend on your basic health and whether or not you get the treatment you need.

Treatment Options

Wondering if there is a flu cure that will help to treat the swine flu problem? Well, antibiotics will not work for treatment, but there are some antiviral drugs that can be used effectively for treatment. Relenza and Tamiflu are both antiviral drugs that are being used to effectively treat the problem. Over the counter medications such as motrin and Tylenol can be taken for flu relief, as can cold and flu medications, although they don't actually provide a cure for the problem.

Currently a flu vaccine is being provided for swine flu, along with the seasonal flu vaccine. They are two different vaccines, and the regular flu vaccine will not prevent swine flu from occurring.

Personally I feel that the swine flu is treatable with an all natural approach, click here for my suggestions.

Preventing Swine Flu

There are a variety of basic steps that you can take to help prevent and reduce the risk of catching swine flu. Here are several simple holistic health tips that can help you to prevent getting this virus, or if you already have it, these tips can help you to avoid spreading it.

- Tip #1 - Wash Your Hands Regularly - It's very important that you wash your hands regularly. They should be washed well with an antibacterial soap to help prevent the spread of swine flu or other diseases.

- Tip #2 - Avoid Going Around Those Who are Sick - If you know that people are sick, avoid going around them. This is especially important if you know that they are dealing with upper respiratory viruses.

- Tip #3 - Cover Your Mouth When Sneezing and Coughing - Whenever you sneeze or cough, cover your mouth, preferably with a tissue. This virus is spread through secretions, so you want to avoid allowing any secretions to get into the air when you cough or you sneeze.

- Tip #4 - Don't Touch Your Mouth, Eyes, or Nose - Hands carry many germs and are the most common way that germs are spread. If you touch your mouth, eyes, or nose with your hands, you make it easier for the bacteria and viruses that may be on your hands to enter the body.

- Tip #5 - Stay at Home When Sick - If you're sick, just stay at home. This way you don't end up spreading the sickness to others. Try to stay at home until your symptoms have disappeared for the best results.

The above suggestions are the basics, the minimum steps we should all be taking every flu season to keep ourselves healthy. To learn about additional steps you can take to protect yourself from the swine flu as well as what, specifically you should do if you get swine flu, Click Here

What is my perspective on the Swine Flu, Read my most recent newsletter "What to Do If You Get the Swine Flu or Not"

My last newsletter, Let's Talk Swine Flu, broke all kinds of records when it comes to reader comments and feedback. Apparently the Swine Flu is a hot button for a lot of us. Based on your feedback it appears that some of you are just plain tired of hearing about it , others think I am way off base and adding to the rumor mill, and quite a few of you actually agreed with me.

First, let me just say that I am grateful for all of you who shared your views and opinions regarding this issue; whether you agreed with me or not I appreciate your respectful and well thought out intelligent responses. Since it is not likely that either side will agree on this controversial issue (not even Dr. Oz could convince his wife to vaccinate his own kids!) I thought I would share a suggestion that perhaps we could agree on or at least consider.

Chances are that either you or someone you know, whether vaccinated or not, will possibly get the flu this year, therefore you're going to want to be armed with the best information to not only help fight the flu but also protect those around from getting sick.

Let’s talk about what according to Dr. J. Chappell we should do if we get the flu, either the swine flu or your run of the mill flu.

Dr. Chappell is a traditional naturopath, clinical nutritionist, a medical herbalist and a board-certified chiropractic physician. Over the last year I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Chappell who has outlined a specific protocol to support my own healing process and I highly recommend reviewing his natural cure plan as well as his protocol for the flu virus. Following are the protocols developed by Dr. Chappell to keep us healthy and protect ourselves and others from the devastating effects of the flu: Natural Flu Remedies 1. Create an environment in which harmful bugs cannot thrive: Use Dr. Chappell's HONSTEC Plan if you are basically healthy.

Use Dr. Chappell's Natural Cure Plan if you have health challenges, this is the plan I have used over the last 6 months along with a raw food diet and have seen tremendous improvements in my health. 2. Once you have started your plan, use these natural flu remedies:

* Argentyn 23 - the most effective colloidal, ionic silver I have ever used. It is this exact product that Dr. Chappell uses in Mexico to treat serious viral infections. You can get it from Natural Immunogenics. Follow the dosing on the label.

* Lugol's Solution - Iodine helps kill viruses, bacteria and fungal infections. It helps remove toxic chemicals and clean out the body. You can get it from J. Crow and Company. Follow the instructions on the label - and do NOT exceed the dosing recommended for infections.

* Mycel A - This is pure vitamin A in a micellized, water soluble form (micellization produces tiny droplets of vitamin A that are easily absorbed by the body). Vitamin A supports the immune system as it fights off bacteria, viruses and fungi. It is available through Ethical Nutrients. Take ONLY one or two drops daily in water.

* Vitamin D3 - This vitamin plays a key role in modulating the immune system. Many believe that the flu is more common in winter because that is when our vitamin D levels are lowest due to lack of exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D3 is especially important when dealing with upper respiratory and lung infections. I recommend you get this vitamin in 5,000 IU capsules. On the first day of suspected illness take 10 capsules all at the same time. The next day, take 2 capsules 3 times during the day. The next day drop down to 2 capsules 2 times, and then on following days drop down to the maintenance dose of 1 capsule 2 times per day.

* Sodium Ascorbate- This is buffered Vitamin C combining sodium bicarbonate and ascorbic acid. It is the form of Vitamin C Dr. Linus Pauling recommended. The Internet is full of references for Vitamin C and places where you can buy it. From cancer to the common cold Vitamin C is critically important to maintain optimum health and longevity, but more so during an epidemic of the flu or any upper respiratory infection. You do not want to be without this form of Vitamin C. With an active infection, you may take one scoop every hour or until you reach bowel intolerance or diarrhea. You can then reduce your dose until the diarrhea goes away. Regular consumption of sodium ascorbate will keep your immune system strong.

Again thank you for your feedback and comments. I am always open to expanding my views and learning more about what is best for mine and my family's health.

Stay Well and Healthy,

Michelle