It is fall in the western hemisphere and the start of the flu season is at hand. Except that this season is filled with a lot of fear because we are not only dealing with the usual common cold and flu but also with the more deadly H1N1 flu.
Since early this year the whole world has been watching with fear of a possible epidemic the break out of what was initially called the pig virus, later renamed the H1N1 virus. Although it seems under control for the moment, there is fear that lowered immunities during the cold season coupled with having to be indoors all the time would help spread the virus and lead to an epidemic.
The H1N1 virus is a much more virulent strain of the common flu and can kill in a few days. Some of the symptoms of the H1N1 virus include; fever, coughing, fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, and muscular aches; symptoms similar to those of the common cold or flu. The H1N1 virus sufferers may also show these symptoms; runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Certain groups of people are more susceptible to the H1N1 virus and are advised to consider taking the H1N1 flu virus vaccine; expectant mothers, children under five and adolescents, persons older than 65 years old and people with impaired immunities like those suffering from HIV/Aids, cancer etc. Most governments have started giving out the free H1N1 flu virus vaccine and most persons who work in hospitals and other high risk occupations have already taken the shot. Persons that meet and mix with large numbers of people at close proximity like shops and schools are also advised to go for the vaccine.
There are a number of strategies to reduce chances of contracting the virus and spreading it. The most important is hand hygiene, one should wash their hands or use a alcohol disinfectant each time their sneeze ad after using the bathrooms, changing nappies and after using areas of public access like buses and cash machines. One should sneeze and cough into a piece of tissue or their arm and avoid coughing directly into others faces.
