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24-Hour Flu

The 24-hour flu is a very common illness which can plague anyone anytime. It can be caused by a variety of viruses and can have various symptoms, so sometimes it is really difficult to correctly identify the flu. In fact, the symptoms mainly depend on the virus that has attacked the body, and usually last for about 24 hours, but sometimes the flu may drag on for as long as 10 days.

 

Symptoms of 24-Hour Flu

  • Chills – The 24-hour flu causes uncontrollable chills in the patient, causing his teeth to chatter and his body to shiver constantly. In fact, the chills are so severe that one can’t even stand up properly. Warm liquids like milk and soup and broth can help you reduce the chills to some extent.
  • Headaches – Headaches are the most common symptom of the 24-hour flu. It marks the start of this flu and can cause you severe discomfort. A nap can reduce the headaches to a great level. You can also take pain medications to counter the headaches.
  • Vomiting – If you are suffering from the 24-hour flu, you are bound to get vomiting tendencies. In fact, the continuous bout of vomiting that the flu causes even leads to a loss of appetite, which can in turn lead to even more serious complications. Stay away from solid food while you are going through this phase, just stick to liquid food which is easier to digest.
  • Fatigue – Experiencing fatigue is a common symptom of the 24-hour flu. Your body is constantly trying to kill the virus affecting your body, resulting in constant fatigue. This is why lots of rest is very important during this time.
  • Diarrhea – Diarrhea is a serious concern when dealing with the 24-hour flu. It can easily lead to dehydration, and hence pave the path for more complications, especially in children and the elderly. One should always consume liquids with electrolytes when suffering from diarrhea during the flu, or anything to replenish the water content of the body.

What causes the 24-hour flu?

The 24-hour flu is a troublesome disease which can plague your life for as long as 10 days. Of course there are vaccinations to reduce their effects and protect you from future bouts of the flu, however, one needs to be aware of the various causes of this disease to be completely careful.

 

  • Contaminated food – Contaminated food is one of the biggest causes of the 24-hour flu. Food should be well covered and preserved properly to prevent contamination by the flu virus, because one really can’t tell otherwise if the food is affected or not. Apart from food, other agents may also be contaminated by the virus, so be careful.
  • Rotaviruses – Rotaviruses cause the 24-hour flu in kids. They do not show the symptoms outright and silently harm the body from within. Children pick it up when they play in the dirt and then put their fingers in their mouth. Adults can get it from their kids.
  • Noroviruses – These 24-hour flu viruses are food borne and spread quickly, especially among family members and neighbors. If the patient lives in a cramped area, it won’t be long before people around him also start getting affected by the virus.

Treatment for the flu

There are various natural ways to treat yourself if you have contracted the 24-hour flu. Let’s have a look at all the treatment options available.

  • Rest

rest in flu

Due to the constant fatigue that the body experiences all the time during the 24-hour flu, it is important that you get abundant rest to replenish your energy.

  • Rehydration

Rehydration in flu

The diarrhea problem of the 24-hour flu causes severe dehydration in the body which can lead to other complications. To prevent that, it is important that you rehydrate your body with large amounts of electrolytic liquids and water. Consume at least 3 liters of water when you have the flu symptoms. Those who have gastroenteritis should avoid consumption of large amounts of water and get a suitable oral rehydration solution after consulting with their doctor. One thing to avoid during this period is apple juice as it is known to increase diarrhea tendencies, and hence increase dehydration in the body.

  • Antibiotics

Antibiotics in flu

Sometimes antibiotics can also help in the treatment of the 24-hour flu. However, antibiotics also run the risk of increasing your vomiting, so it is best to consult with the doctor before taking them. A suitable antibiotic for the flu is fluoroquinolone.

  • OTC medicines

OTC medicines in flu

OTC medicines like Pepto Bismol can treat a mild version of the 24-hour flu because of the bismuth subsalicylate present in them.

  • Healthy eating

Healthy eating in flu

Eating healthy can do a great deal to prevent and treat the 24-hour flu. You should dispose of contaminated food as quickly as possible, and avoid consuming alcohol, caffeine and nicotine during the flu. Children should be kept away from sugary items as that can enhance the effects of the flu. You should also try to pace yourself while eating as being too quick can make you feel squeamish.

  • Anti-diarrheal agents

Anti-diarrheal agents in flu

 

Medications which prevent diarrhea, like loperamide, can be of great help during the 24-hour flu. It not only prevents excessive diarrhea but also helps restore the water content of the body. However, these medicines should be kept away from child patients.

What to do during the 24-hour flu ?

Even though it is normal for the 24-hour flu to last for around 10 days, you should still be wary and consult your doctor as soon as possible. For example, if you have been vomiting for more than 2 days and are extremely dehydrated, or if you notice blood in your bowel movements or while vomiting, don’t hesitate to call the doctor. A fever of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit should also be reported to the doctor as soon as possible.

Parents need to be extra careful with infants as it is harder to tell the symptoms in babies. If your child does not wet the diaper for over 6 hours, or seems extra sleepy all the time, you should take them to the pediatrician. A dry mouth or lack of tears while crying is also indicative of the 24-hour flu.

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Top 10 Swine Flu Prevention Tips & Remedies

Swine Flu Prevention

Here are some effective steps that could be followed to prevent and isolate swine flu and help in the swine flu prevention. 

As the incidents of swine influenza spread across the world, there are some common and sensible points that could be observed by people at hand to prevent its advance and control.  Since there is no definite cure for the swine flu, enough stress cannot be placed over the swine flu prevention.   Though some sort of vaccine has been developed for the flu infection in pigs, there has not yet been on for safe use in human population.

Click here for information on 24-Hour Flu

It has been noticed that like the bird flu, the swine flu too gets transmitted from pigs to humans.  There has not been any significant reports of human to human infections.  As with typical viruses, this flu virus could evolve out in future to be able to infect humans.  Thus effective steps should be taken now to prevent the spread of the swine flu.  Since the infections have not yet reached epidemic proportions, there really has not been that much a concern in society.  If the need so arises in the future, there could be restrictions placed on gatherings and actions that spread the swine flu prevention.  Schools could be closed, travel limitations could be announced and quarantine procedures adopted.  Antiviral drugs could also be distributed among the population.

Laid out below are a few  points that, if followed, could lead to the effective containment and the final removal of the swine flu virus.

  1. The role of traditional vaccination: The typical seasonal flu vaccination cannot prevent swine flu.  It is ineffective in its action against swine influenza.  Thus, do not be under the false impression that it can be done.  A vaccine has been developed for certain strains of the flu found in pigs, but a safe vaccine to be applied in humans is yet to be developed.
  2. Use of face masks: With the first visible signs of the swine flu, there has been a proliferation of face masks. There is nothing to show that this method does indeed lead to swine flu prevention.  But the authorities have desisted from telling people so, just for  the feel good factor associated with the masks in public.  But the health authorities have been insisting that the patients with the viral infection, wear face masks to avoid spreading the virus through droplets.  Some common health directives like washing hands often with soap, covering the mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing, avoiding the touching of the mouth, nose and eyes, all go a long way in preventing the viral infection from spreading. Other common sense steps are to keep away from others for 24 hrs after fever like symptoms and to keep a safe 6 ft distance from people with influenza like symptoms.
  3. Flu Parties, how effective is it: There has been a tendency in certain quarters to host flu parties, where a person with the swine flu is the chief guest.  The whole logic being that if infected, the attack would only be mild and the infected persons could easily overcome the flu and hence attain swine flu prevention. There can be no saying on how severe the flu could affect individuals.  Each person could react differently to the flu and hence the view that it could pass off mildly does not hold water.  In some cases it could even turn fatal.
  4. Planning for eventualities: Plan ahead to take care of possible infections.  The best advice is for an infected person to stay at home, away from school and offices.  Thus, it makes sense to plan ahead in case you or someone close falls sick and they will have to be tended to.  You could possibly stock up on disinfectants, tissues and other necessary items for swine flu prevention.
  5. Disinfecting material used by patients: It is very usual for the flu virus to linger on material that the patient with the infection came into close contact with.  This can be newspapers, textbooks, door knobs, linens, etc.  Effort must be taken to clean up after the infection has passed and all the infected material disinfected.
  6. Preparedness:  Avoid complacency.  The safety measures recommended must be followed diligently.  Any let up, however minor, could have major repercussions. Disinfect all material that came into contact with the sick person always.
  7. Attention to people in the high risk category: People in the high risk group must be vaccinated against flu and must observe all the necessary precautions for swine flu prevention.  Pregnant women, care givers with children below the age of 6 months, emergency and health care professionals and people with weak immune systems and chronic conditions, must be vaccinated without fail.
  8. Be guarded, always:  At times like this, caution must be exercised abundantly.  With the appearance of the slightest flu like systems like running nose, fever, sore throat, cough, etc, the person must be restricted to the homes and hospitals.  Staying isolated is the  best way to prevent further infections and the spread of the infection.  Wait a full 24 hours after the last symptoms have disappeared for swine flu prevention.
  9. Prioritize infections: People with symptoms of swine flue must be tended to immediately.  Common sense must prevail in such situations.  The severity of the symptoms must match the health profile of the person at hand.  So that the needy people without the capacity to battle it out gets the priority they require.
  10. Role of educating and sensitizing people: People with young children must take time out to explain to them the significance of the swine flu.  Enough emphasis must be placed on getting the children to understand the need to maintain personal hygiene and to observe people around them. More important, they must be instructed to inform  adults if the slightest uneasiness is felt at any time.

With abundant caution that is necessary in situations like these, the populace usually rises to give support and solace to he needy persons.  Effective steps clearly laid out helps avoid panic in such situations.  Each infection is effectively isolated and preventive steps taken to minimize spread of the infection.  Sufficent medical and para medical staff must be mobilized to effectively contain the situation.