Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren’t the same as human flu viruses. Swine flu doesn’t often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current “swine flu” outbreak is different. It’s caused by a new swine flu virus that has changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person — and it’s happening among people who haven’t had any contact with pigs. That makes it a human flu virus. In an effort to avoid confusion, the CDC is calling the virus “novel influenza A (H1N1) virus” to distinguish it both from flu viruses that infect mainly pigs and from the seasonal influenza A H1N1 viruses that have been in circulation for many years.Like people, pigs can get influenza (flu), but swine flu viruses aren’t the same as human flu viruses. Swine flu doesn’t often infect people, and the rare human cases that have occurred in the past have mainly affected people who had direct contact with pigs. But the current “swine flu” outbreak is different. It’s caused by a new swine flu virus that has changed in ways that allow it to spread from person to person — and it’s happening among people who haven’t had any contact with pigs. That makes it a human flu virus. In an effort to avoid confusion, the CDC is calling the virus “novel influenza A (H1N1) virus” to distinguish it both from flu viruses that infect mainly pigs and from the seasonal influenza A H1N1 viruses that have been in circulation for many years.

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Although the name ’swine flu’ brings up a lot of extra fear and worry, it is important to note that swine flu is just an influenza A H1N1 virus and hence symptoms are just like seasonal flu symptoms.

According to the CDC, like seasonal flu, symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

• fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
• cough
• runny nose or stuffy nose
• sore throat
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
• diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen than with seasonal flu

Signs of a more serious swine flu infection might include pneumonia and respiratory failure.

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Bird flu is caused by a kind of influenza virus. Influenza viruses come in three distinct types, called type A, type B and type C, each with its own characteristics. Type C influenza viruses are fairly stable and cause relatively mild symptoms, while type B influenza viruses cause more severe, though relatively localised outbreaks. Type A influenza viruses are responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics that, every few decades, rampage around the world leaving a trail of sickness and death in their wake. It is to this last, most dangerous, type that bird flu, or avian influenza, belongs.

Type A influenza viruses may be further divided into subtypes – HA, of which there are fifteen, and NA of which there are nine. These subtypes may combine, resulting in a range of other subtypes, whose impact may be confined to a single species. For example, H1N1 is usually responsible for sickness in humans, while H3N8 infects horses. Birds are susceptible to at least fifteen different influenza A subtypes, of which by far the most dangerous is H5N1 – the strain of bird flu that has caused the deaths of millions of birds in recent months. Only recently have the subtypes that affect birds been observed in any other kind of animal (including humans) apart from pigs.

All type A influenza viruses, including bird flu, share the ability to quickly and easily change their genetic makeup and arbitrarily swap genes between themselves. As the virus reproduces, tiny changes take place in its genetic makeup that are then passed on to later generations. The cumulative effect of these changes, called antigenic drift, is that older strains of the virus are constantly being replaced by new strains that are unaffected by antibodies developed to combat earlier strains.

The second, lethal, kind of bird flu causes birds to become very ill extremely quickly and, because it is highly contagious, spreads rapidly to surrounding birds. It affects the birds’ respiratory tract, and attacks multiple organs and tissues, leading to massive internal haemorrhaging. So deadly is this form of bird flu that almost 100% of infected birds may die within 48 hours of contracting the disease.

Of potentially greater concern, however, is a process called antigenic shift, in which influenza A subtypes that normally infect different species, such as a human and a bird, combine to produce a completely new strain. Because the new virus is different from the strains that combined to produce it, there is no natural immunity to it. This enables the new virus to spread rapidly, causing extensive sickness and death.

Antigenic shift resulting in a virus that crosses the species barrier between birds and humans is often traced to locations where humans, chickens and pigs live in close proximity. Pigs can easily be infected with both human and bird flu viruses, making them an ideal venue for the two different kinds of virus to meet and exchange genes. Such a third party is not an essential component of antigenic shift, however; some bird flu viruses are capable of infecting humans who come into direct contact with infected birds, although they are not, currently, able to spread on to other humans, and it seems that this is how the vast majority bird flu cases in humans to date have occurred.

The more frequently humans are infected with bird flu through contact with infected birds, the greater the risk that one of those humans will be simultaneously infected with a human influenza virus; under those conditions there is the potential for the two viruses to merge and produce a deadly new strain that spreads as quickly amongst humans as bird flu currently does amongst birds. Although this is true of all bird flu strains, the deadly H5N1 strain has a well-documented propensity for both mutating quickly and commandeering large swathes of genetic material from viruses that infect other species via a process called reassortment.

In view of how far H5N1 has spread around the globe, the likelihood that this strain of bird flu will meet and combine with a human influenza virus, thereby creating the cause of a bird flu pandemic amongst humans, is disturbingly high. It is surely only a matter of time before the process begins – if it has not already begun.

via : www.cause-of-bird-flu.com

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The most common symptom of bird flu is fever. A person suffering from bird flu can have temperature above 100°F. Apart from fever a person suffering from bird flu will have cough which is similar to the normal flu symptom. However, a person who is affected with bird flu will pass on the virus along with the cough.

A person suffering from bird flu will face difficulty in breathing. Besides, these patients will also suffer from shortness of breath.

The patients suffering from bird flu will also suffer from sore throat, which is a common symptom of normal flu; some of the patients suffering from bird flu suffer from diarrhea and also abdominal pain. However, all patients do not face this kind of problem. Some patients may even face the symptom of watery diarrhea.

In most cases the patients generally face the problem of diarrhea before encountering the respiratory problem. Another common symptoms which some of the patients display is the bleeding of the gums and nose. There are some patients who have the symptoms of muscle aches, which is similar to the symptom of normal flu.

Some of the patients suffering from bird flu face the symptom of vomiting and nausea. Conjunctivitis is another common symptom. People who are affected with H5N1 bird flu generally do not get affected with conjunctivitis. This is mostly faced by patients who are suffering from bird flu caused by different other subtypes of the Influenza A virus.

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Avian influenza (AI) or bird flu is a group of viruses that occur naturally in birds. A virus is pathogenic if it can cause illness or death. Some AI viruses can infect birds but not cause many bird illnesses or death. Other AI viruses, termed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), can cause large numbers of bird illnesses and deaths. Currently there is concern about one of these viruses, known as highly pathogenic H5N1, because it is causing severe disease in chickens and other poultry on several continents. It has also been found in wild birds in the same areas. In some instances, people who have had close contact with sick poultry have also become infected and gotten very sick. Approximately half of the people known to be infected have died.

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Good health is always in style, but just like with fashion trends, there are some styles that are classics while others are just silly fads. Below, you will find 10 ridiculous health fads that are so outrageous, unbelievable, or even downright dangerous, that we wish we could forget they even came along. Not only can these fads offer a humorous look at the things we do in the name of health, they also serve as a reminder to think carefully when taking part in a health trend that seems a little too out of the ordinary.

1. Consuming placenta. This fad is especially popular in Japan, but has spread beyond that country’s borders in recent years. From pig placenta drinks to the recently marketed horse placenta soft drink, those caught up in this fad believe that consuming placenta will help slow the aging process as well as help with a number of other health problems. If drinking animal placenta isn’t enough, take a visit to Japan where you can get human placenta injected through an IV drip. I guess that’s better than following in Tom Cruise’s footsteps as he reportedly ate wife Katie Holmes’ placenta after the birth of his daughter, Suri.

2. Pole dancing. Touted for its great cardio benefits and a potential boost to your sex life, the fad of pole dancing is still going strong. These classes, also known as strippercise, may contain lap-dancing and Pilates-like floor exercises in addition to pole-dancing. Unlike working at a strip club, these classes let you keep your clothes on, although some participants wear only skimpy lingerie. Celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Kate Hudson and Teri Hatcher have added to the popularity of this fad. But honestly, balancing on eight-inch platform shoes while dancing erotically in a room full of others doing the same in the name of health–this is just a fad waiting to pass. Besides the suggestive moves that look just plain silly on some, physicians have warned against the dangers inherent in using the unusually-tall shoes sometimes required in these classes as a risk to ankles and feet.

3. Oxygen bars. Oxygen bars were first popular in Japan and Europe before making their way to Canada, then America, where they gained popularity in the late 1990s and into this century. Patrons could pay around 50 cents a minute to breathe oxygen through tubes placed in their noses, often scented with such fragrances as lavender, orange, or eucalyptus. Patrons reportedly felt energized and alert after their oxygen sessions. The oxygen bar fad didn’t just stop there, but eventually spread to places like coffee shops, doctor’s offices, and day spas. Celebrities were known to partake in these sessions, with Woody Harrelson even opening his own bar called O2. Doctors warned that those with breathing problems should avoid oxygen bars, and sometimes the agents which delivered the scents caused lung irritation as well. Eventually, people realized that they were merely paying to breathe air–and looked ridiculous doing so.

4. Tapeworm Diet. Advocates of this diet claim that ingesting cow tapeworms allow you to eat all you want while still losing weight. The tapeworm creates an environment in the intestines that hinders digestion while also consuming some of the nutrients of the food. The idea is that once you reach the desired weight, you take an antibiotic, which kills the tapeworm. Besides the obvious drawback of consuming a worm, another problem with this fad is that some tapeworms, such as those from pigs, can be lethal. The FDA has banned the importing or selling of tapeworms in the US, so hopefully that will help put this ridiculous health fad to rest.

5. Drinking urine. Drinking urine for health reasons has a history that goes back to the ancient Egyptians and continues up through today. Supporters claim drinking urine can help heal a multitude of health problems, including asthma, allergies, arthritis, acne, cancer, indigestion, migraines, and wrinkles. Now, a company in India is selling a soda made of cow urine that has become very popular. If you think this fad is limited to India or other Asian countries, MMA fighters Luke Cummo and Lyoto Machida claim to drink their own urine each day and many major league baseball players urinate on their hands to toughen them up.

6. Mesotherapy. In the early 1950’s, a French physician began the practice of injecting a combination of homeopathic and conventional drugs just under the skin in an effort to dissolve fat. Over the years, many have continued to practice mesotherapy despite the fact that there can be serious side effects and very little benefit to this treatment. What is injected under the skin is not a constant formula and varies from practitioner to practitioner, so there is no way to know what is contained in each specific injection. Phoshatidylcholine, one common drug used in mesotherapy, can cause serious reactions and has been banned in many countries. Mesotherapy has been shown to cause skin lesions and irritations that have lead to skin infections and scarring.

7. Master Cleanse. Way back in 1941, Dr. Stanley Burroughs began promoting his detoxification program that requires followers to eat or drink nothing but his concoction of lemon juice, maple syrup, water, and cayenne pepper for anywhere from 10 to 45 days. Not surprisingly, this diet leads to many problems, including headaches, fatigue, diarrhea, and constipation. Proponents of this diet claim that the weight comes off quickly and they feel the toxins leave their body over the course of treatment. Many health professionals point out that drinking lemonade and not eating is just another form of starvation. Sure the weight will come off, but as soon as you begin eating again, the weight is sure to return. They also point out that there is nothing in this tonic that will actually detoxify the body. This fad is still promoted by celebrities such as Beyonce, who lost 20 pounds for her role in the movie Dreamgirls.

8. Q-Ray Ionized Bracelet. Made popular on infomercials, these bracelets were supposed to be ionized, and the makers of them claimed they would relieve pain, improve sports performance, reduce stress, and improve energy. Testing done by the Mayo Clinic in 2002 determined that the bracelets did not relieve pain as advertised. After a false advertising suit was filed, the owner, Que Te Park, and his companies were court-ordered to return $22.5 million in net profits as well as $64.5 million in refund money to the customers. However, a quick Google of this bracelet still provides several places online where you can purchase this health hoax.

9. Ear candling. Ear candling is supposed to remove ear wax while also relieving pain, ringing in the ears, balance problems, headaches, and a number of other issues by placing a hollowed candle into the ear, then lighting it to create a suction that draws out the wax. Unfortunately, not only does this not create the necessary suction to remove the wax, it also frequently results in injuries as the melting wax can drip into the ear canal or outside the ear to cause serious burns. Some physicians have even had patients with ruptured ear drums as a result of ear candling. Experts agree that ear wax serves as a natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, so it’s best left just where it is.

10. Cabbage Soup Diet. This diet was very popular back in its day, but still seems to make its way around the dieting scene today as can be evidenced by Jaime Pressly and Sarah Michelle Gellar, who both credit this diet for their weight loss. The premise is that you can eat as much cabbage soup as you want, but the rest of the diet includes a severe restriction of other foods. The cabbage soup recipe itself has almost no calories, so your total daily consumption while on this diet is less than 1000 calories. In addition to starving yourself in the name of weight loss, those on the diet report typical side effects of hunger including headaches, fatigue, irritability, and lack of concentration as well as intestinal discomfort (including that infamous cabbage flatulence). Any weight lost during this diet is quickly re-gained when you begin eating again.

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Life is full of care; There is no time to stand & stare.

In today’s digital world, life is moving at a faster pace than ever and people often do not get much time to do things like work out and follow a healthy lifestyle. Everyone is busy with their work schedule and most people do not follow a proper diet and health plan in that busy schedule.

Time is short for almost everyone these days but it is important to include physical activity throughout your busy day. If you think that you just don’t have time to exercise to keep yourself fit and fine, think again. Because a healthy body can lead to healthy business and qualitative output.

The following five factors contribute to a person’s ability to achieve life’s goals, improve professional and personal relationships and reduce stress.

Set a goal: Even if you live a super busy lifestyle, there are things that you can do to make sure you stay fit. At work, we often find ourselves sitting in front of a computer for a very long period. Wouldn’t it be nice to ‘take a break’ and still get some work done? Instead of calling one of your office mates to deliver a message, walk over to their desk and deliver it. This is an excellent way to stretch out those stiff muscles after sitting down for too long.

Diet: Of course, today’s professionals find themselves skipping meals due to their hectic schedule, and breakfast usually means coffee-to-go. Studies found that late breakfast increase the fat level. Once you accept the fact that your body needs overhauling, and that exercise & proper diet are good for your health and work, that will be easy for you to adopt exercise habit in your daily life schedule.

Time Management: It is recommended that exercise for 30 minutes at least five times a week, is sufficient to lead a healthy life. And, recent studies show that the 30 minutes are not necessarily continuous, you can divide up this time into two 15-minute blocks or three 10-minute blocks of time throughout the day. One good solution is to get up an hour earlier and do the exercise in the morning. You’ll get a healthy boost in your energy level that carries you throughout the day.

Relaxation: Mental exercise is as important as physical exercise. Work pressure is very common these days. In such cases, relaxation is the only way to maintain mental balance. Most people prefer Yoga, Meditation for such purpose. But chilling out with friends and spending time with family during the weekends, are also helpful to avoid work tension.

Lifestyle: Professional living brings nutrition, fitness, and total wellness to life through simple, exciting real life application. Not everyone has time to schedule regular workouts, but with a little bit of planning, it is possible to get what you want.

Before tackling the idea of fitting exercise into your busy schedule, it might be better if you start with the concept of self-assessment and then familiarize yourself with the disease-prevention aspect of exercise. There is a popular saying “Nobody plans to fail. But, many fail to plan”.

By Ranjita Patra via BreakingNews

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Except for AIDS, STDs can be treated if caught in the early stages. Here are some indications that you might have contracted a STD and it’s time you went for a check-up to the doctor.

In the case of women, look out for the following signs:

• Unusual discharge from the vagina
• Pain, burning or itching around the vagina
• Pain in the pelvic area or abdomen, sometimes with fever or chills
• Bleeding other than your usual period
• Sores or blisters on the genitals or in the mouth

In the case of men, the following symptoms could indicate that they have contracted a STD:

• Discharge from the end of the penis
• Pain or burning when urinating
• Swelling around the groin
• Sores or blisters on the genitals or in the mouth
• Flu-like symptoms such as fever chills, aches in the joints or muscles

via : indiaparenting.com

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STDs or STIs (sexually transmitted infections) are infections/diseases that can be transferred from one person to another through sexual contact. Some of the Sexually Transmitted Infections are also transmitted through birth, intravenous needles or breastfeeding.

The World Health Organization (External website that opens in a new window) estimates that more than one million new cases of curable, sexually-transmitted bacterial infections (STIs) occur worldwide everyday.

Adolescents and young adults (15-24) are the age groups at the greatest risk for acquiring a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD). STDs can have severe consequences if not treated, especially in women. It is important to go for STD testing whenever you suspect that you have contracted a sexually transmitted disease.

In India, the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases is quite high. Among the sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS is a serious concern. In acknowledgement of the need to strengthen the STD control program, especially in the context of the recently launched AIDS control program, efforts are being made to extend the National STD Control Programme (External website that opens in a new window) at the community level through existing private health care services in the country.

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The mouth should be regularly rinsed with iced water to get relief from the ulcers. Washing the mouth prior to meals also helps to a larger extent. Sometimes painkillers can also be taken. People prefer for some home remedies to get rid of the common mouth ulcers.

Antibiotics are administered in case of severe mouth ulcers. But medicines should be given only on the recommendation of the doctor. In case of severe mouth ulcers sometimes local anesthesia is given. Intake of hot food and spicy food should be avoided as it might aggravate the situation. Rubbing the ulcers with hand should be avoided as it might spread the infection.

The mouth ulcers are a result of minor internal injuries. These are caused due to accidental biting of the inner portion of the mouth. Rough toothbrushes are also responsible for the development of mouth ulcers.

Sometimes they are the result of bacterial infection. Anti-bacterial mouthwash can be used to prevent the ulcer from spreading and it also gives temporary relief.

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