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In Serbia, garlic is a defense against swine flu

11/14/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Against the advice of their doctors, Serbians have turned to garlic as defense against the swine flu infection. Ever since the H1N! flu reached this country, the city of Belgrade has seen a rise in the market price of garlic. Many people are using garlic to fortify bodily resistance against the disease.

Aside from being widely used for cooking, garlic is regarded as an old remedy and a good luck charm. People munch on the white pungent cloves for its medicinal and nutritional properties--- hoping to protect themselves from the spread of the swine flu virus.

According to the Serbian health authorities, there are 270 documented cases and 8 deaths of the H1N1 pandemic so far. To counter viral infection, the government embarks on information campaign and has ordered the company Norvartis in Swtizerland for a supply of 3 million vaccines. The claims that garlic is an effective folk remedy against swine flu has no solid medical basis. (Photo Credit: Svadilfari) =0=

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Labels: Alternative Medicine, antiviral, Belgrade, epidemic, garlic, H1N1 virus, pandemic, prevention, Serbia, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, treatment

H1N1 flu vaccination in US starts in October

9/14/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

With the onset of school, health experts fear that the spread of the swine flu will intensify. That’s why they plan to start the vaccination in about three weeks to protect as much individuals as possible to the pandemic virus.

Earlier, it was thought that the new H1N1 flu virus would need a two step dosing to achieve a level of immunity during the vaccination, but recent studies on patients with ages 18 to 64 years showed that a single dose containing 15 micrograms of the viral antigen was enough to stimulate protective levels of antibodies. From the initial results, the vaccine which didn’t contain adjuvant to boost its efficacy, showed no serious side-effects.

“The results of the vaccine studies suggest one dose of the formula used by drugmakers should offer H1N1 protection similar to the seasonal flu shot. Paris-based Sanofi Aventis SA, London- based GlaxoSmithKline Plc, and Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis AG are among the other companies making the vaccine. “---- Bloomberg.com (09/13/09, Randall, T; Gale, J.)

The single dose regimen will simplify the vaccination process and appreciably increase the production and stockpile of Paris-based Sanofi Aventis SA, London- based GlaxoSmithKline Plc, and Basel, Switzerland-based Novartis AG which are making the vaccines. There are plans in the US to donate prepared vaccines to poor countries. Since the experience their use is limited, more studies are needed to validate the initial findings to ascertain the efficacy and safety of the drug. (Photo Credit: CDC) =0=

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Labels: antibodies, antiviral, H1N1 virus, Influenza, influenza virus, prevention, Swine flu, Totie Mesia, vaccination, vaccine

WHO about to declare H1N1 flu as a worldwide pandemic

6/04/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In spite of close monitoring and containment, the H1N1 virus has spread to sicken render about 20,000 individuals in 66 countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) is weighing in if it’s the right time that the viral infection be called a pandemic, the highest level of threat for a highly transmissible disease.

At present, the spread of the disease is mostly among travelers, in schools, and close contacts, but not much within the community. However, with the start of winter in the Southern Hemisphere, health authorities worry if the swine flu will infect more people than last year’s similar strain (H1N1 flu) which is resistant to the anti-viral medication Tamiflu.

The WHO is now "getting closer" to declaring the outbreak had reached phase six, the highest level on their alert scale.---said WHO’s flu chief Keiji Fukuda. Guardian.co.uk (06/03/09 Carrell, S.)

The same consideration has been reported in New York Times (06/03/09, A9, McNeil)

To declare the flu as a pandemic requires many considerations. People who don’t fully understand the disease may panic so the logistics to inform and prepare them must be put in place. In a pandemic, there may be trade and travel restrictions that my impact the economy of a country. A bigger budget and personnel to fight the illness must be readied.

The WHO is preparing an additional $500 million to aid poor countries. Pres. Barack Obama has asked the US legislature for $2 billion in anticipation of a full blown pandemic.

The virus which behaves like a mild seasonal flu at this time may mutate, grow in virulence and cause more deaths than generally expected as it moves along. With all these considerations, WHO calls on its experts---public health officials and academics to think what is best in the fight against the infection. They’re trying to figure if raising the level of disease threat to 6 is warranted and will be for the benefit of the people. (Photo Credit: Healthcare without Harm) =0=

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Labels: antiviral, budget, diseases, Flu, H1N1 virus, Health, illness, Influenza, influenza virus, pandemic, Public Health, Swine flu, Tamiflu, Totie Mesia, WHO

UP Ibalon Bicol

In Serbia, garlic is a defense against swine flu

H1N1 flu vaccination in US starts in October

WHO about to declare H1N1 flu as a worldwide pandemic

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