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What is Autism

Autism is basically a brain development disorder that can be characterized lacking in social interaction and communication and by restricted and repetitive behavior.

There are 4 types of autism including Asperger Syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder or PDD-NOS which includes atypical autism. There are studies that suggest that occurrence rates for these disorders is between 2 and 6 children per every thousand people or 1 in every 500 children.

Asperger Syndrome
Asperger syndrome is considered a developmental disorder that is also a part of an autism spectrum disorder or ASD. This is a special group of neurological disorders that shows more or less impairment of language and communication skills including repetitive thoughts and behaviours.

Symptoms include repetitive routines and rituals, difficulty with speech or language, socially inappropriate behaviours with the inability to interact with others well and clumsy or uncoordinated motor skills. These children may approach others but normal conversation is almost impossible due to the inappropriate behaviour. These children normally have a history of development delays such as catching, climbing and riding a bicycle.

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder
This disorder is considered a kind of pervasive developmental disorder or ASD known as autism spectrum disorders. This disorder shows as differing degrees of trouble with communication and social interactions as well as stereotyped behavior. This is a rare form of ASD, but is found more in boys than girls.

Symptoms begin by age 2 and include the same types of symptoms as all other ASD disorders as stated above. It is diagnosed by showing the loss of vocabulary including the diagnosis showing extensive loss of motor, social and language skills all around. The loss of bowel and bladder control with seizures as well as a very low IQ is often seen.

Rett Syndrome
Rett syndrome is a rare disorder that affects one out of every ten thousand females. This is part of the PDD family of disorders and includes degrees of restricted or repetitive behaviours as well as impairment of communication skills and social interactions with others.

Symptoms include autism like symptoms with mental and social development regressions and pulling away of social contact. The ceasing of speech can occur as well as uncontrollable feet and hands are also seen. Physical and speech therapy are available to help with coordination and speech as well as movement.

PDD
PDD are seen as delays in the socialization and communication developments, which are normally seen prior to 3 years of age. These symptoms include limited range of interests and activities and impaired social and communication interactions with others. Repetitive body gestures, difficulty with changes, problems with language and relating to others or unusual play with objects are all commonly seen.

The abilities of children with PDD vary with intelligence and behaviours. Some children never speak while others only use limited phrases, while some still use full speech. Unusual responses to sensory information is highly common as well as the misunderstanding of normal speech and language.

Join Samara at Mom’s Key forum and parenting community where you can get advice, give advice and keep up to date with today’s hottest parenting issues.
http://momskey.com/

In order to increase your muscle mass, do not let anyone deceive you into believing that you do not require to use very heavy weights in your training. If you do not work hard so as to overload your muscles, you will not succeed in stimulating your muscles to grow. If you want your body frame to be massive, you need to lift weights.

Training using very heavy weights will come at a cost since your body will be exposed to getting injuries. When you use very heavy weight in your training you are going to strain your muscles and joints resulting to many injuries. You cannot escape the use of heavy weights during training but what you can do is to prevent injuries when you are training.

There are various tips you can apply in the gym, if you want to avoid getting injuries when training. Since injuries might cause you to fail in your bodybuilding career you need to mitigate them at all cost? If you want to avoid injuries you should;

1.Start with warming up

If you want to avoid injuries then this is the best thing that you could do. For your warm up to be thorough you need to take around 15 to 20 minutes in each warm up session. When you do this you will be able to lubricate the body joints and other connective tissues which will go a long way in helping you avoid getting injuries. When you perform warm up exercises you will also be able to increase the blood flow of your body. In order to prevent your body from feeling the strain of the lift, you need to increase your blood flow as well as increase the lubrication of your joints. In order to increase your muscle joint flexibility you should undertake spot jogging and light weight training.

2.Maintain proper form when you are training

If you do not undertake each workout in the gym with proper form you are going to injure yourself. The use of incorrect techniques such as weight bouncing and weight jerking could make you injure yourself when you are training. You should also maintain proper form when you are training to prevent cheating which is a case where instead of using your muscles to undertake the lift you use your body movements. When cheating occurs you will not be able to impose enough stress on your muscles which is needed if you want to build your muscles.

3.Do not try to lift more than you can handle

Many bodybuilder carry heavy weights so that they can stimulate there muscles growth. There is nothing wrong with this, but you need to ensure that the weight you are dealing with is not very excess. You should ensure that you lift just the right amount of load which will enable you to undertake each motion with precision. When you try to lift very heavy weights you are likely to injure yourself when you are training.

Dane Fletcher is the world-wide authority on bodybuilding and steroids. He has coached countless athletes all over the world. To read more of his work, please visit either http://www.BodybuildingToday.comor http://www.SteroidsToday.com

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Using the oils extracts from many different types of plants has been around for hundreds of years. Spices and herbs were long sought after not only for their taste sometimes, but for their smells as well. Today many people will refer to the use of essential oils as aromatherapy. This particular term has been around since the 1920’s and is widely used today. It describes the heating of these natural oils as a way of producing some affect in people. The effect can sometimes be physical as with the use on mentho-lyptus oils. Smelling this can help with congestion in the head and chest and have actual beneficial qualities.

Other essential oils are used to promote a calming, relaxed feeling. This might also be known as fragrance or vapor therapy. This can be good for people who might suffer from anxiety or depression. We all know that certain smells can set an atmosphere for romance. Other smells like citrus, pine, or cedar can remind us of holidays and put us in a festive mood. It is simple really, different smells for different moods. Many times these essential oils are used in a vaporizer. The water and the oil is heated in a vaporizer and is released into air giving it the smell of what ever is used.

Certain oils will give off fragrances that promote certain things, so aromatherapists say. Spearmint might be used for an uplifting and energizing affect. Lemon grass is thought to help with affects from jet lag, headaches, and other stress related conditions. Lavender and chamomile might be used also for these same things. In these stressful times, it can be as easy as using these smells and many others in your home to not only make you feel more calm and relaxed, but your home will smell quite nice too.

 
You find find complete lists of essential oils on many websites that sell them. The vaporizers can also be purchased on line easily. Take the time to research each essential oil that you might want to use because some of them might need to only be used in a more diluted form. They could be irritating to sinus membranes and respiratory airways if the smell is too strong. You want the oils that you use in a vaporizer to be beneficial to you in some way and not be harmful in any way. When you try a few at home, it should not take you long to figure out which ones you like and those that you do not.

Jenna Anderson is a writer and you can visit her favorite shopping website at:
http://www.ecigarettesnational.com/pages/VAPORMATIC-VAPORIZER.html

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IS IT Possible?

Exercise is the one thing that a person should do if he wants to become taller. When you exercise, focus on the parts of the body that can be essential in promoting growth. Target your back and your spine, as it is crucial to keep both parts healthy to become taller.

A good posture will help in being taller because if you don’t, it decompresses your spine which stunts the growth of your height. Doing the appropriate exercises will definitely make you grow taller. You will also be able to attain great posture as your muscles will be stronger to support your spine.

These exercises can also stretch your spine and thicken the cartilage a lot quicker which is needed for you to grow taller. It is in this article that you will find back exercises that will help on how to increase your height naturally. The first exercise that will help you increase your height and help you strengthen your back is the backward bend.

You will also be able to stretch your spine that will help thicken your cartilage. Lie on your back and extend your arms towards your feet with your palms on the floor. With your feet together, raise your legs over your head slowly until they are touching the floor behind your head. To be able to have more strength, push your palms against the floor.

Type of Exercise

If you cant touch the floor on your first try, do not fret as it is normal and it is okay. Aim for your goal every time you do this exercise and eventually, you will be able to do it as your spine stretches. Once your feet have reached the floor behind your head, gradually bring your legs back down. Do this exercise repeatedly for five times.

Another back exercise on how to increase your height is the double backward bend. When doing this exercise, it produces pressure that increases the thickening of your cartilage and stretches your spine. To do this exercise, sit on the floor and fully extend your legs in front. Place your hands on your hips and slowly stretch your arms out in front of you while gradually bending forward to touch your toes.

Normally, you will not be able to touch your toes the first time. But doing this will make your body flexible and flexibility is essential in how to increase your height. You must repeat this work out for five times too.

Then " spread your feet a few inches apart and try to reach for your right foot with your left hand and vice versa. Repeat the routine 5 times per hand. Not only will you be more flexible and healthy but you will also be taller in doing these exercises.

http://growtallernaturallytips.com/
Is it true that you can grow taller naturally regardless of how old you are? Discover the truth today
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By using these well known supplements you will be providing your body with a superior source of protein that is used within the body for a variety of processes that each component of the whey protein powders possesses. These effects go a long way in providing energy as well as contributing to the immune system of the user. Whey protein powders are in essence a complex protein that contains a variety of smaller proteins which are utilized by the body in a variety of ways. Without getting too technical or scientific regarding this protein source, the protein is made up of what are commonly referred to as peptides, the likes of which include immunoglubins, bovine serum albumin, beta-lactoglobulin and lactoferrin to name a few.

The Benefits

Where the benefits exist and why you should consider the use of whey protein powders is contained within the comparative analysis of this form of protein with other forms widely available. This comparative analysis takes into account a variety of scores and tests that compares the efficacy of each of the supplements. One of the most prominent tests is that of the biological value of the protein, which is essentially the measurement of the quality of the protein itself, this will indicate the amount of absorbed protein in relation to the amount consumed or ingested. Tests have determined that the whey protein powders when ingested have increased retention by no less than 4 to 57 percent more than that of egg protein, which was traditionally one of the top supplements in terms of biological value before whey became so widely popular.

The digestibility of the supplement is also tested against other forms, and in two specific tests the whey protein powders outperform the rest. These tests are devised to firstly measure the provision of amino acids to the body, and secondly the percentage of protein digested from the dietary intake of the protein concerned, represented by two specifically different tests and analysis methodology. In addition to this the other tests that are performed include establishing the ability of the protein to support growth, which is important for the person wanting to build mass and muscle, as well as the conversion of amino acids into protein in the body. Whey protein powders outscored and outperformed all related products within these scientific tests.

If you are wondering how the whey protein powders are made, a very simple definition is that they are the by-product of the cheese making process, and these products come in three main varieties, which are used for specific purposes, dependent upon the goals and objectives of the user, how and why you choose to use whey protein powders will determine which supplement to use as well as the daily intake thereof.

Chris writes for SportandSupplements.com, for the widest range in sports nutritional supplements visithttp://sportandsupplements.com

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Affect Everybody

Hair loss is something that can affect everybody, regardless of gender or age. It’s a problem that has been around for centuries, but with the sudden interest in everybody’s image, increasing numbers of people are opting for hair transplant surgery in order to maintain their youthful looks. But what are the causes of hair loss? In particular, when there are cases where there seems to be no genetic explanation for the hair loss.

There are a variety of supposed causes of hair loss; things such as hormonal changes can bring it on. An imbalance in the thyroid gland that causes it to produce too much or too little of the thyroid hormone, then it’s possible that generalised thinning of the hair or overall hair loss can occur. Thyroid problems can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and the medication you’ll be prescribed if this is the problem can stop the problem.

A variety of inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can lead to patches of hair falling out leaving red, flaky skin underneath. Patches of hair loss without the irritated skin underneath can be the result of alopecia areata.

It is believed that wearing tight headbands or having your hair in cornrows can lead to a faster rate of hair thinning. This is due to the fact that the hairs get broken at the base and so fall out. While this is not a reason for complete baldness, it can explain why some people experience accelerated hair thinning.

Psychological Disorder

Hair loss can also be the result of a psychological disorder known as trichotillomania; this is when people compulsively play with their hair without realising. Severe cases can cause people to pull their hair out and eat the roots. The hair rarely grows back following these extreme cases as the follicle can become scarred from the excessive damage. Other psychological factors can contribute to hair loss such as stress, anxiety and depression. Many people do not have stress and anxiety diagnosed as the reason for hair loss because they tend to play down their levels of stress to other people; but they do not realise that this can lead to a cycle of anxiety and stress as the more hair loss experienced, the more anxious and stressed the person is likely to become.

Doctors may provide a variety of medications to treat hair loss, but these do not work for everybody and may not be a permanent fix. In these cases, there is the option of hair transplant surgery. This is a minimally invasive procedure that leaves little to no scarring and provides natural looking results. With cosmetic surgery procedures becoming more and more common, there is now no need for men or women to feel ashamed that they’ve gone under the knife to boost their self confidence.

Dominic Donaldson is a cosmetic surgery expert.
Find out more about Hair Transplant Surgery at http://www.hshairclinic.co.uk

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Among the most important body parts a male body builder will be interested in inflating with rock-hard muscles is the chest. The chest stands distinct in a male’s physique. It makes the impression on the judges or the girls, whichever audience is targeted. It is therefore common to find almost every beginner body builder placing priority in training the chest, chiseling it pout and amplifying the definition of the muscles in this body part. The following workout can last for one training session of about 35 minutes and should ensure the chest is stimulated to maximal growth.

Let us start with the workout now and then add on the requirements later on. To train the chest, start with two basic warm up sets preferably by performing bent arm flies. For the warm up, the initial set should be kept very light while the second one can intensify to moderate. For light, we mean at most 30% of the intensity level attained during the main workout. For moderate, up to 60% of the intensity level attained in the main workout, is ideal. The determination of workout intensity will be based on the poundage of the weight used in exercises and the number of reps per set.

The main workout should then incorporate the particular exercise you performed during the warm up, which must be one among these four; the flat bench flyes, the incline flyes, the seated flyes or the machine flyes. Three sets of eight reps will be adequate to reach maximal intensity but the final set must be performed to absolute muscle failure. It should be possible to reach absolute muscle failure within ten reps for the final set if you are using the correct form, the right weight and the appropriate rep speed.

Allow for a minimal rest period before moving to the super set. The super set should incorporate these three exercises; the flat bench presses, the incline bench presses or the decline bench presses. The bench angle of incline should be adjusted to increase accordingly so as to vary the level of difficulty. After the first two sets of about six to eight reps, the narrow grip to that of the shoulder width and perform a single set to make the third. This last set should be performed to absolute muscle failure, ensuring that the shoulders and the elbows are flared parallel.

The exercise chosen for the day should not be the ones done during the next training session. If in one session you pick the incline bench presses for the super set, perform the decline bench presses next time. The chest workout should leave a 24-hour duration in between consecutive training sessions to allow the chest recover fully before training further. With this workout, the chest will be stimulated fully for growth and you should not take it further than this for anything further will be overtraining. Also, remember to eat the appropriate weight training diet, to accompany the workout schedule, for maximal growth to occur.

Dane Fletcher is the world-wide authority on bodybuilding and steroids. He has coached countless athletes all over the world. To read more of his work, please visit either http://www.BodybuildingToday.comor http://www.SteroidsToday.com

Generic Name: meperidine hydrochloride
Dosage Form: Tablets and Syrup

WARNING: May be habit forming

For Relief of Pain

Dosage should be adjusted according to the severity of the pain and the response of the patient. Meperidine is less effective orally than on parenteraladministration. The dose of DEMEROL should be proportionately reduced (usually by 25 to 50 percent) when administered concomitantly with phenothiazines and many other tranquilizers since they potentiate the action of DEMEROL.

Adults: The usual dosage is 50 mg to 150 mg orally, every 3 or 4 hours as necessary.

Pediatric Patients: The usual dosage is 1.1 mg/kg to 1.8 mg/kg orally, up to the adult dose, every 3 or 4 hours as necessary.

Each dose of the oral solution should be taken in one-half glass of water, since if taken undiluted, it may exert a slight topical anesthetic effect on mucousmembranes.

Misuse, Abuse, and Diversion of Opioids

Meperidine is an opioid agonist of the morphine-type. Such drugs are sought by drug abusers and people with addiction disorders and are subject to criminal diversion.

Meperidine can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. This should be considered when prescribing or dispensing Demerol in situations where the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, abuse, or diversion.

Demerol has been reported as being abused by crushing, chewing, snorting, or injecting the dissolved product. These practices will result in the uncontrolled delivery of the opioid and pose a significant risk to the abuser that could result in overdose or death (see WARNINGSand DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION).

Concerns about abuse, addiction, and diversion should not prevent the proper management of pain.

Healthcare professionals should contact their State Professional Licensing Board or State Controlled Substances Authority for information on how to prevent and detect abuse or diversion of this product.

Interactions with Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse

Meperidine may be expected to have additive effects when used in conjunction with alcohol, other opioids, or illicit drugs that cause central nervous system depression.

Head Injury and Increased Intracranial Pressure

The respiratory depressant effects of meperidine and its capacity to elevate cerebrospinal fluid pressure may be markedly exaggerated in the presence of head injury, other intracranial lesions, or a preexisting increase in intracranial pressure. Furthermore, narcotics produce adverse reactions which may obscure the clinical course of patients with head injuries. In such patients, meperidine must be used with extreme caution and only if its use is deemed essential.

Asthma and Other Respiratory Conditions

Meperidine should be used with extreme caution in patients having an acute asthmatic attack, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cor pulmonale, patients having a substantially decreased respiratory reserve, and patients with preexisting respiratory depression, hypoxia, or hypercapnia. In such patients, even usual therapeutic doses of narcotics may decrease respiratory drive while simultaneously increasing airway resistance to the point of apnea.

Hypotensive Effect

The administration of meperidine may result in severe hypotension in the postoperative patient or any individual whose ability to maintain blood pressure has been compromised by a depleted blood volume or the administration of drugs such as the phenothiazines or certain anesthetics.

Usage in Ambulatory Patients

Meperidine may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. The patient should be cautioned accordingly.

Meperidine, like other narcotics, may produce orthostatic hypotension in ambulatory patients.

Usage in Pregnancy

Meperidine should not be used in pregnant women prior to the labor period, unless in the judgment of the physician the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks, because safe use in pregnancy prior to labor has not been established relative to possible adverse effects on fetal development.

Labor and Delivery

Meperidine crosses the placental barrier and can produce depression of respiration and psychophysiologic functions in the newborn. Resuscitation may be required (SeeOVERDOSAGE).

Nursing Mothers

Meperidine appears in the milk of nursing mothers receiving the drug. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the potential benefits of the drug to the nursing woman.

67 year old George Tiller, the controversial late term abortion, lightening rod doctor was shot and killed this morning at 10:00 am in the lobby of Reformation Lutheran Church at 7601 E. 13th in Wichita, Kansas. A search is going on by police, the FBI and KBI for the shooter.

George Tiller

Reports states that the suspect was a white male who was driving a 1993 light blue Ford Taurus with Kansas license plates 225 BAB. Police described him as a white male in his 50’s or 60’s, 6?1,” 220 lbs, wearing a white shirt and dark pants.

Tiller has long been a focal point of protest by abortion opponents because his clinic, Women’s Health Care Services at 5107 E. Kellogg, is one of the few in the country where late-term abortions are performed.

Mark Mitchell, who lives near where the shooting occurred, said he knew Tiller attended the church because of the periodic protests there and media coverage.

He said the protests would sometimes be as large as two dozen people. The last protest he can remember there was in the fall.

“We are shocked at this morning’s disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down,” anti-abortion group Operation Rescue said in a statement on its Web site. “Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller’s family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

Reported at Fox News, George Tiller was shot as he served as an usher during morning services at Reformation Lutheran Church.

Reuters – A Kansas doctor who was a controversial provider of so-called “late-term” abortions was shot and killed at his church on Sunday. Attention Reuters, they are not “so-called” late term abortions, they are late term abortions.

Christian Defense Coalition Condemns Shooting of Dr. George Tiller

Although we certainly do not condone assassinations of people, no matter how much we disagree with what they are doing. We also disagree with the LEFT’s blaming conservative commentators with this man’s death. Here is a video of Bill O’Reilly doing a segmnet of “Tiller, the baby killer”. When one participates in such a controversial and heinous act like late term abortions, one puts them self knowingly at risk. All I can say is may God have mercy on this man’s soul and as Don Suber says, “Rest in peace. The Lord forgives.”

UPDATE I: Kansas Police Pull Over Car Matching Suspect Vehicle in Tiller Murder

Police have the murder suspect in custody according to the AP.

Nearly four hours after abortion doctor George Tiller was gunned down and killed in his Lutheran Church, Johnson County police pulled over a car matching the description of the suspect vehicle.

According to Wichita media, police described the suspect as a white male in his 50’s or 60’s with gray hair that is balding in the middle. He is about 6?1? and about 220 pounds and was wearing a white shirt and dark pants. He was last seen in a light blue Ford Taurus, possibly an early 1990’s model. It has a K-State vanity plate and a Kansas license plate number 225 BAB.

UPDATE II: Suspect Arrested in connection with the murder of abortion doctor George Tiller

What is Swine Influenza?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there?

Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are 4 main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs : H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

Can humans catch swine flu?

Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient.

In short, spread of swine flu can occur in 2 ways :

* Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated with swine flu viruses.

* Through contact with a person with swine flu. Human-to-human spread of swine flu has been documented also and is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

How common is swine flu infection in humans?

In the past, approximately one human swine influenza virus infection every one to two years in the U.S., but from December 2005 through February 2009, 12 cases of human infection with swine influenza have been reported.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Can people catch swine flu from eating pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

How does swine flu spread?

Influenza viruses can be directly transmitted from pigs to people and from people to pigs. Human infection with flu viruses from pigs are most likely to occur when people are in close proximity to infected pigs, such as in pig barns and livestock exhibits housing pigs at fairs. Human-to-human transmission of swine flu can also occur. This is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What do we know about human-to-human spread of swine flu?

In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman was hospitalized for pneumonia and died 8 days later. A swine H1N1 flu virus was detected. Four days before getting sick, the patient visited a county fair swine exhibition where there was widespread influenza-like illness among the swine.

In follow-up studies, 76% of swine exhibitors tested had antibody evidence of swine flu infection but no serious illnesses were detected among this group. Additional studies suggest that 1 to 3 health care personnel who had contact with the patient developed mild influenza-like illnesses with antibody evidence of swine flu infection.

What other examples of swine flu outbreaks are there?

Probably the most well known is an outbreak of swine flu among soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1976. The virus caused disease with x-ray evidence of pneumonia in at least 4 soldiers and 1 death – all of these patients had previously been healthy. The virus was transmitted to close contacts in a basic training environment, with limited transmission outside the basic training group. The virus is thought to have circulated for a month and disappeared.

The source of the virus, the exact time of its introduction into Fort Dix, and factors limiting its spread and duration are unknown. The Fort Dix outbreak may have been caused by introduction of an animal virus into a stressed human population in close contact in crowded facilities during the winter. The swine influenza A virus collected from a Fort Dix soldier was named A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1).

Is the H1N1 swine flu virus the same as human H1N1 viruses?

No. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.

How can human infections with swine influenza be diagnosed?

To diagnose swine influenza A infection, a respiratory specimen would generally need to be collected within the first 4 to 5 days of illness (when an infected person is most likely to be shedding virus). However, some persons, especially children, may shed virus for 10 days or longer. Identification as a swine flu influenza A virus requires sending the specimen to laboratory.

What medications are available to treat swine flu infections in humans?

There are four different antiviral drugs that are licensed for use in the US for the treatment of influenza : amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir andzanamivir. While most swine influenza viruses have been susceptible to all four drugs, the most recent swine influenza viruses isolated from humans are resistant to amantadine and rimantadine. At this time, it is recommended the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?

People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health :

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
* Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
* If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

What should I do if I get sick?

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include :

* Fast breathing or trouble breathing
* Bluish skin color
* Not drinking enough fluids
* Not waking up or not interacting
* Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
* Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
* Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

* Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
* Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
* Sudden dizziness
* Confusion
* Severe or persistent vomiting

How does swine flu spread among pigs?

Swine flu viruses are thought to be spread mostly through close contact among pigs and possibly from contaminated objects moving between infected and uninfected pigs. Herds with continuous swine flu infections and herds that are vaccinated against swine flu may have sporadic disease, or may show only mild or no symptoms of infection.

What are signs of swine flu in pigs?

Signs of swine flu in pigs can include sudden onset of fever, depression, coughing (barking), discharge from the nose or eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, eye redness or inflammation, and going off feed.

How common is swine flu among pigs?
H1N1 and H3N2 swine flu viruses are endemic among pig populations in the United States and something that the industry deals with routinely. Outbreaks among pigs normally occur in colder weather months (late fall and winter) and sometimes with the introduction of new pigs into susceptible herds. Studies have shown that the swine flu H1N1 is common throughout pig populations worldwide, with 25 percent of animals showing antibody evidence of infection. In the U.S. studies have shown that 30 percent of the pig population has antibody evidence of having had H1N1 infection. More specifically, 51 percent of pigs in the north-central U.S. have been shown to have antibody evidence of infection with swine H1N1. Human infections with swine flu H1N1 viruses are rare. There is currently no way to differentiate antibody produced in response to flu vaccination in pigs from antibody made in response to pig infections with swine H1N1 influenza.

While H1N1 swine viruses have been known to circulate among pig populations since at least 1930, H3N2 influenza viruses did not begin circulating among US pigs until 1998. The H3N2 viruses initially were introduced into the pig population from humans. The current swine flu H3N2 viruses are closely related to human H3N2 viruses.

Is there a vaccine for swine flu?
Vaccines are available to be given to pigs to prevent swine influenza. There is no vaccine to protect humans from swine flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine will likely help provide partial protection against swine H3N2, but not swine H1N1 viruses.

Source : CDC.gov

Useful Links:
World Health Organization: www.who.int
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Homeland Security Department: www.dhs.gov
WHO swine flu page:http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html