On the basis of suggestions provided by flu specialists across the globe, a decision was made during a congregation last week held in Geneva, Switzerland about the endemic H1N1 influenza strain being part of the H1N1 vaccine for flu for the subsequent fall-winter season, according to the director-general, WHO, Mr. Keiji Fukuda.

Mr. Fukuda asserted that actuality of the novel H1N1 flu strain being a part of the subsequent seasonal flu vaccine does not in any way translate to the H1N1 endemic having ended and certainly not an on/off, overnight occurrence. During the teleconference Fukuda pointed out that soaring cases of H1N1 flu still plague areas like North and West Africa, certain areas of Asia, East Europe. During a congregation held in September, the WHO has put forth the recommendation for the H1N1 strain included seasonal flu vaccine in the Southern Hemisphere.

Seasonal flu vaccine generally has 3 constituents, and the 2010 to 2011 vaccine is no exemption. Among human beings, 3 forms of flu viruses have been observed circulating, namely, H1N1 and H3N2 type A, and type B bugs.

Presently, the prevailing H1N1 strain is certainly the present year’s H1N1 swine flu virus. The prevailing H3N2 bug is the so-dubbed Perth viral strain, and the prevailing B bug is the so-dubbed Brisbane strain of the virus.

Till date more than two hundred million individuals have been inoculated with the H1N1 vaccine and the safety quotient has had a fair safety track record.

Although the WHO has furnished a recommendation on what strains would be part of the subsequent flu vaccine; however it would be the sole decision of each country on whether the merger of all 3 suggested strains is included in a single shot or doling out each one of the strains individually. Inclusion of the endemic H1N1 strain during the present year was not possible as it surfaced during April, nearly 2 months following selection of the 3 seasonal flu strains for the 2009 to 2010 flu season.

The advisory committee of FDA is due for a meeting on Monday and in most certainty would consent to the WHO proposal. Similarly the advisory committee of the CDC is expected to follow suit too following a voting planned on Wednesday. The FDA would be issuing a concluding verdict just in time for vaccine producers to pump up their productions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have pointed out that still studies need to be conducted that would provide much concrete proof regarding the transmission of flu on flights. However, on any occasion wherein people are going to be in a situation where they are in close proximity to one another, for instance, on airplanes, then the probability of germs being transmitted also intensifies.

However, below mentioned are few prudent measures one could take while on flight to avert any contraction of the flu virus.

In case one is seated close to a person who is having excessive cough or appears sick, then such a situation could be potentially risky. The scientists from the Purdue University are of the viewpoint that one could most probably fall ill when one is seated near sickly individuals who are seated in one’s own row or the subsequent row behind.  The researchers have in fact come up with a simulation that lucidly reveals the manner in which germs travel about in an aircraft.

In case one is caught in such potentially transmittable circumstances, then there are few preventive things one could do for reducing the likelihood of falling ill.

1. Pointing the air passage vent far from oneself and facing in the direction of the ill person. By doing this one would facilitate pushing the germs into retracing their path back to that ill person.
2. Turning one’s body away from the individual who is appearing sick. And most importantly, one must avoid touching one’s face.
3. One could request the flight attendant if a mask could be provided to the sick person. The flight attendant could also be requested if the seating arrangement of either the ill person or you could be done to a different spot on the plane.
4. The ex-director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Julie Gerberding has made an important point wherein she states that the circulation of air present on planes is done via a HEPA filter. Hence, if one is seated a few rows away from the sickly individual then it is quite improbable that one would contract the germs.
5. Frequent washing of hands using soap and water. In case, one is not able to access it, then it is always sensible to keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer handy just in case one might need it.
6. Covering the nose and mouth with a handkerchief when one sneezes or coughs. Others around must also be egged on to follow this similar routine.
7. Additionally, it would be quite prudent to carry along disposable masks particularly in case one is feeling ill.
8. Getting oneself inoculated according to the CDC recommendation.

Bearing in mind these valuable and simple pointers would definitely help in safeguarding yourself from any form of flu infections in the long run.

• Pastille or Lozenges

  Pastilles most often have the presence of sugar or glycerol for coating the back part of the throat. Lozenges could be more effectual as they tend to take longer spans of time for dissolving. Some highly refined formulas have topical anaesthetics and antiseptic properties for desensitising the pain and in combating the infection arising due to bacteria.

• Oral sprays

  These oral throat sprays have potent topical anaesthetics like benzocaine and lidocaine the application of which is done using a plunger for gaining access to unreachable spots in the throat. This offers immediate reprieve and aids in treating acute pain.

Several products even have a mild form of bacteria-combatant and antiseptic nature like hexylresorcinol and chlorhexidine for halting secondary form of infections.

Available At:
Majority of the lozenges could be procured at super marts. Increasingly potent formulas that have higher strength concentration of anaesthetic constituents like benzocaine, are obtainable solely from the pharmacist shop due to the possibility of an allergic spurt. This also hold true in case of throat sprays.

Unsuitable For:
All those having breathing distress or problems with ingestion or uninhibited asthma must keep away from anaesthetic items as it is not right to overly de-sensitise the throat. Those having diabetes must ideally go in for the sugar-free version of the lozenges. Kids below the age of twelve must not be given the throat sprays.

Top Specialists advice:
In lozenges one could opt for the Strepsils Cool that has Dichlorobenzyl – a calming antiseptic. Other beneficial products are Boots Blackcurrant, Glycerin Throat, Olbas Pastilles and Lozenges from Tyrozets and Dequacaine.

In throat sprays, the one obtainable from Covonia has chlorhexidine that has bacteria fighting and germ-killing action.

Remedial Tips for Multiple Symptoms

The treatment of an array of symptoms like body pains, headaches, runny nose and wakefulness. Majority of the remedies have paracetamol for allaying body aches and lowering fever and could additionally have decongestant properties.

Nightly products generally have drowsiness rousing form of antihistamines like diphenhydramine for aiding sleep, whereas day-use medicines mostly contain caffeine for perking oneself up mostly vended using terms like Plus, Max or Extra.

Available at:
Majority of the medicines having the lesser strength decongestant phenylephrineare are obtainable off-the-racks; medications having more potency pseudoephedrine are over the counter (otc) medications.

Unsuitable For:
One must bear in mind that paracetamol is generally the constituent in majority of these medications. Hence, consuming them alongside other paracetamol-based products would mean putting oneself at a greater risk of overdose.

Decongestants could additionally lead to hypertension and impede the functioning of the beta-blockers. Hence, it is best to steer clear from such products in case one is ailing from elevated blood pressure levels, or having cardiovascular, kidney or thyroid conditions. Those ailing from asthma also must be cautious on the use of decongestants as they could slow down the respiratory system.

Top Specialists Advice:
The product Benylin 4Flu having the drowsiness inducing antihistamine is an ideal option in case one is bedbound and need to catch up on some snooze. Other viable alternatives are Lemsip, Nurofen, Day and Night and Benylin Capsular version of Cold and flu medicines.

Generally one must verify if the cough and cold medications are not interfering with one’s medications by leading to undesirable drug reactions. Often people have a tendency of forgetting that they are on medicines for other health conditions.

In case one is emitting coloured mucus or the symptoms have failed to improve even after a week’s time then one must visit the doctor on an urgent basis. It is always sensible to confirm with the chemist prior to taking medicines intended to be given to kids under twelve years of age, for expectant mothers or those women who breastfeed.

Before going to the main discussion you must know the important signs and symptoms of swine flu .

Symptoms include : sore throat, cough, fewer, body pain, headache and fatigue. some times there are reports of vomiting and diarrhea. Main symptom of it is - severe throat pain along with breathing problem which may also cause worsening of underlying medical conditions.

1. This virus can live more 2 hours after coming out from an infected person so it is better to avoid touching places like door knobs, public telephone, office tables and desks where people are effected touching those areas and keeping the hands in mouth and nose .so avoid touching with bare hands -” use gloves “, this is a very common thing which people neglect so be careful.

2. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap preferably with alcohol based solvents because some times the previous point discussed may not be performed perfectly so this will help you clear those virus depositions.

3. Take care of your general health and have a good sleep daily because immunity is very important improve your immunity which plays a key role in saving you from this flu attack so take nutritious diet and plenty of fluids.

4. If you find a person with any of the signs and symptoms discussed above try to be careful by wearing specially designed masks when you go out and this will also help others too if you are infected. Ask the person whom you suspect to not to talk directly face to face as chances are more (since it spreads by droplet infection). Don’t neglect masks , if so you are just increasing the probability of getting the infection.