The 2009 flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza virus, officially named the "new H1N1," first identified in April 2009, and commonly called "Swine flu."
It is thought to be a mutation of four known strains of the influenza A virus, subtype H1N1: one endemic in (normally infecting) humans, one endemic in birds, and two endemic in pigs.
Transmission of the new strain is human-to-human, with cooked pork products safe to eat as the virus cannot be transmitted by eating foods.
Virus source
The new virus is a type of swine influenza derived originally from a strain that lived in pigs. This origin gave rise to the common name of swine flu. Despite this origin, however, the current strain is transmitted between people, not from swine.
Symptoms
The signs of infection with swine flu are similar to other forms of influenza, and includes fever, coughing, headaches, pain in the muscles or joints, sore throat, chills, fatigue and runny nose. Diarrhea, vomiting and neurological problems have also been reported in some cases.
Severe symptoms
Certain symptoms may require emergency medical attention. In children, signs of respiratory distress, for instance, those might include blue lips and skin, dehydration, rapid breathing, excessive sleeping, seizures and significant irritability that includes a lack of desire to be held.
In adults, shortness of breath, pain in chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness or confusion may indicate the need for emergency care. In both children and adults, persistent vomiting or the return of flu-like symptoms that include a fever and cough may require medical attention.
The virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface.
Tap water treated by conventional disinfection processes does not likely pose a risk for transmission of influenza viruses.
Pneumonia
Influenza infection can cause pneumonia leading to death. This is typically described as either viral pneumonia, which has a rapid onset, often within one day after infection, or bacterial pneumonia, which often begins a week after infection after symptoms begins to subside.
Viral pneumonia is sometimes attributed to 'cy-tokine storm,' in which an overly active immune response damages lungs. Reports of deaths among healthy youth during first weeks of 2009 flu pandemic were attributed to this cause.
Prevention
Personal hygiene: Measures to avoid flu infection include: vaccination when available, thorough and frequent hand washing, balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, sufficient sleep, exercise and avoiding crowds.
Airborne virus prevention
Masks may be of benefit in 'crowded settings' or for people who are in 'close contact' with infected persons, defined as 1 meter or less by the World Health Organization. In these cases, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended respirators classified as N95, but it is unknown whether they would prevent swine flu infection. According to mask manufacturer 3M, there are no "established exposure limits for biological agents" such as swine flu virus.
The UK Health Protection Agency considers facial masks unnecessary for general public.
Airline hygiene
Some airlines have modified hygiene procedures to minimise travel health risks on international flights. Asian carriers have stepped up cabin cleaning, installed State-of-the-art air filters and allowed in-flight staff to wear face masks, with some replacing used pillows, blankets, headset covers and headrest covers, while others have begun disinfecting the cabins of all aircraft.
Hygiene practices such as covering the nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing in confined areas may be the best way to limit infection.
Try to: Co-ver your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective; Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; Try to avoid close contact with sick people; If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
Home remedies
There are a number of ways to help ease symptoms, including adequate liquid intake and rest, soup to ease congestion, and over-the-counter drugs to relieve pain. Aspirin is very effective for treating fever in adults although in children and adolescents, aspirin is not usually given due to risk of Reye's syndrome. While over-the-counter drugs relieve sym-ptoms, they do not kill the virus.
Antiviral drugs
Antiviral drugs can be given to treat those who become severely ill, two of which are recommended for swine flu symptoms: Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza). They work by deactivating an enzyme the virus needs to grow and spread.
Possible side effects
Both medications can cause side effects, including lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and trouble breathing.
Tips on High School Dating - The Golden Rules For Dating the Teenage Girl
All your firsts happen in high school. Your first infatuation, first love, first date, first kiss, first everything! Its like the world is at your feet and you feel you're all geared up to conquer everything, including the most stirring of all - love.
High school dating is perhaps one of the most exciting, fun and thrilling part of every teenager's life. It's a one-of-a-kind experience that even young adults would dare come back if given a chance.
Tips on high school dating are best found on www.Dating4Men.com. So, if you're a guy searching for ways to ask a girl of your dreams to go on a date, here are few tips of high school dating that you shouldn't miss. This reality checklist will open your eyes and help you see the world - and yourself, in a new light.
Rule # 1: Thou Shall be Yourself
Any guy who's happy being himself is attractive. Going on a first date with someone you've wanted to go out with all this time may be an incredible feeling yet nerve-wracking all at the same time. When you're caught in this kind of situation and you don't want your date to notice your edginess, the secret formula is just be yourself man! Girls love guys who are confident in showing the real them, their real personality, someone who's not afraid to show what he's got, but more importantly what he's not.
Rule # 2: Thou shall foot the bill
Guys listen! If you ask a girl on a date, don't ever let her pay the bill! This is a complete no-no especially if you're on your first date. It would really be an awkward picture if you let the girl take on your movie tickets, restaurant chows and the like. If you want to have a follow up date after the first, you leave her with pretty good impressions on you. (Always bring extra cash just to be safe).
Rule # 3 Thou shall have eyes on your date alone
A lot of guys have the habit of gazing and checking out other girls (intentionally or unintentionally) while on a date. Little did these guys know that their dates are just checking on how they counter slight temptations while in the mall, at a theater, in restaurants and other public places. So guys, be careful! You should perhaps take the seat facing the wall. Because the moment she catches you checking out others girls while on a first meet-up, bye-bye second date!
Rule # 4 Thou shall respect space
This is one of those tips on high school dating that should be well regarded by boys out there. If you're exclusively dating a girl for months now and would want to get close to her or hold hands, then you should wait until she's ready. Some guys are too assertive especially on months of dating the same girl. But this doesn't give you the license to make a move without asking for it. Hence, know when she's ready and respect when she's still not.
Rule# 5: Thou shall be decisive
If you're going to kiss a girl on the cheek when you call it a day and say goodbye, a polite yet sweet way of gesturing your appreciation for a time well spent is by kissing in the cheeks. However, if you're going to do it, just do it and get it over with. Hanging with your lips half-pursed and your face half-tilted makes you look, well, dumb. So, be decisive of your every move.
Tools to Use to Improve Your Softball Pitching Prowess
Among all the roles in the softball team, one of the important, crucial ones is softball pitching where it doesn't only involve simple case of ball throwing. It involves agility, endurance and strength as to how to pitch the ball properly so, that the opposing hitter's bat won't be able to collide with the ball.
In addition, you can do a fastpitch curve where the movement of your wrist and shoulders make the ball spin more.
Other than taking in these softball pitching tips and putting them into practice, here are some softball pitching equipment that you can use to improve your game.
Throw Max
The throw max is a tool that assists players on how to throw the ball in a correct manner by letting them experience this themselves. This way, they would be able to develop a stronger muscle memory in an easier and more consistent way without risking injury.
Power Throw-Ball Softball
This excellent tool helps players enhance strength, especially the shoulders, and endurance so that, they would be more used to the throwing motion.
Rev Fire
Rev Fire is a wonderful tool that you can use to monitor your speed in throwing a ball. This includes three softballs as well as a monitor provides you quick feedback on how quick you pitch a ball.
Glove Radar
Glove radar is an electronic gadget that accurately measures the throwing speed of not just pitchers but also of infielders, outfielders as well as catchers. It's easy to use as you just have to attach it to any glove that you use when practicing the sport.
Weighted Softball Training Ball
The weighted softball training ball can be used either for enhancing shoulder strength or for shoulder rehabilitation. The set is composed of four balls that weigh about nine to 12 ounces so, you can different balls once your arm strength improves.
Xelerator
The Xelerator is a lighter, softer and shorter tool that you can use when practicing throwing motions as it aids you in learning overhand and snap motions without stressing out your shoulders at the same time.
Tightspin Trainer
The Tightspin Trainer allows players to improve their ball throwing capabilities as it increases your speed as well as the rate of the spin.
Finch Windmill
The Finch Windmill aids you in improving your throwing prowess, making it harder and faster as it enhances muscle strength, endurance and balance of the whole body. You would see a difference in you when you use this regularly.
What are you waiting for? Improve your game with these softball pitching tools.
Episode 3 - Weighted Softballs - Fastpitch Softball TV Show
US $21.34
