Tips on Feeling Better during Cold and Flu

The flu, which is a nickname for the influenza virus, starts suddenly and hits hard. Your fever may go as high as 40C (105F). You'll probably feel weak and tired, and have a dry cough, a runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe headache and a sore throat. The fever may last for three to five days. After the flu goes away, you may still feel weak and tired or keep coughing for up to three weeks...>>

The flu is most common in winter and early spring. It often occurs in outbreaks. The flu virus changes often. About every 10 years it undergoes major changes, so that more severe outbreaks occur.

Feel better By Doing:

1.Stay home and rest, especially while you have a fever.

2. Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke, which can make cold symptoms worse.

3. Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit juices and clear soups. Fluids help loosen mucus. Fluids are also important if you have a fever because fever can dry up your body's fluids, which can lead to dehydration.

Don't drink alcohol.

4. Gargle with warm salt water a few times a day to relieve a sore throat. Throat sprays or lozenges may also help relieve the pain.

5. Use saline (salt water) nose drops to help loosen mucus and moisten the tender skin in your nose.

6. Wash your hands frequently. This is often your best defense. Wash the entire hand using warm water and soap. Don't forget to clean under fingernails. Wash for about 10 seconds.

7. Avoid putting your hands near your eyes, nose or mouth, unless you have washed. Most bacteria and germs are spread from a surface to your hands to your face. Few germs are transmitted through the air.

8. Clean your 'shared spaces' more often than other times of the year. Remember phones, keyboards, steering wheels, office equipment and other items used by several people during the day.

9. Get a flu shot. Flu shots are especially beneficial for those with wekened immune systems, the elderly or those who come in contact with a lot of people. Check with Health Services for more information.

10. Get enough sleep. During sleep, your body's immune system goes into high gear to protect you from illness. Lack of sleep can reduce immune functioning making you susceptible to sickness.

11. Drink more water. In the fall and winter, it is easy to overlook your thirst and get dehydrated. Make sure you consume 8 glasses a day.

Continue a moderate exercise program. Try to maintain a 3-4 day a week exercise routine. Consistency is key.

12. Eat healthily. A good rule is to eat 10-15 calories per pound of "desired body weight." If your ideal weight is 170 lbs, then consume 1700-2550 calories a day (1700 for sedentary individuals and 2550 for extremely active types.)

13. Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol can be dehydrating which, in turn, may decrease your resistence to bacteria.

14. Finally, listen to your body. If you are less than 100% you will feel better and recover faster if you let yourself rest.
by: Barbara Camie

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H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

A New Virus Emerges
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus of swine origin that was first detected in April, 2009. The virus is infecting people and is spreading from person-to-person, and has sparked a growing outbreak of illness in the United States with an increasing number of cases being reported internationally as well.
CDC anticipates that there will be more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths associated with this new virus in the coming days and weeks because the population has little to no immunity against it. Novel influenza A (H1N1) activity is now being detected in two


of CDC’s routine influenza surveillance systems as reported in the May 8, 2009 FluView. FluView is a weekly report that tracks U.S. influenza activity through multiple systems across five categories.

The May 8 FluView found that the number of people visiting their doctors with influenza-like-illness is higher than expected in the United States for this time of year. Second, laboratory data shows that regular seasonal influenza A (H1N1), (H3N2) and influenza B viruses are still circulating in the United States, but novel influenza A (H1N1) and “unsubtypable”* viruses now account for a significant number of the viruses detected in the United States.

It’s thought that novel influenza A (H1N1) flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.

CDC continues to take aggressive action to respond to the outbreak. CDC’s response goals are to reduce the spread and severity of illness, and to provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this new public health threat.
Increased Testing

CDC has developed a PCR diagnostic test kit to detect this novel H1N1 virus and has now distributed test kits to all states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The test kits are being shipped internationally as well. This will allow states and other countries to test for this new virus. This increase in testing will likely result in an increase in the number of confirmed cases of illness reported. This, combined with ongoing monitoring through Flu View should provide a fuller picture of the burden of disease in the United States over time.

CDC is issuing updated interim guidance daily in response to the rapidly evolving situation.
Clinician Guidance

CDC has issued interim guidance for clinicians on identifying and caring for patients with novel H1N1, in addition to providing interim guidance on the use of antiviral drugs. Influenza antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) with activity against influenza viruses, including novel influenza H1N1 viruses. The priority use for influenza antiviral drugs during this outbreak is to treat severe influenza illness, including people who are hospitalized or sick people who are considered at high risk of serious influenza-related complications.
Public Guidance

In addition, CDC has provided guidance for the public on what to do if they become sick with flu-like symptoms, including infection with novel H1N1. CDC also has issued instructions on taking care of a sick person at home. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In addition, a significant number of people also have reported nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Everyone should take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, including frequent hand washing and people who are sick should stay home and avoid contact with others in order to limit further spread of the disease.
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Masyarakat Harus Ketahui Gejala Flu Singapura

DEPOK - Dinas Kesehatan (Dinkes) Kota Depok mengimbau masyarakat untuk waspada terhadap penyebaran virus flu singapura dengan menjaga kebersihan dan mengonsumsi makanan bergizi.
Imbauan ini terkait mewabahnya


penyakit tersebut di Perumahan Bella Cassa, dimana delapan balita menjadi korbannya.

Sebab itu, Dinkes Depok mengunjungi para korban flu Singapura ini sekaligus mengadakan dialog dalam upaya pencegahan virus yang menyebabkan mulut balita sariawan yang mirip jamuran, dan bintik-bintik merah di sekujur tubuh.

Kepala Bidang Pencegahan Penyakit Dinkes Depok Ani Rubiani yang memimpin rombongan mengungkapkan, dari hasil kunjungan diduga virus itu terbawa oleh salah satu anggota keluarga korban yang sering pergi ke Singapura.

"Diketahui kalau ayah Sifa sering ke Singapura yang dalam sebulan bisa dua kali," ujar Ani saat mengunjungi balita korban flu Singapura di Perumahan Bella Cassa, Depok, Senin (13/4/2009).

Meski demikian, kata dia, Dinkes belum bisa memastikan asal-muasal virus ini mewabah di Depok, karena memang faktor lingkungan dan mobilisasi masyarakat sangat berperan dalam penyebaran penyakit ini. "Kita juga akan melihat dan mempelajari hasil pemeriksaan laboratorium RS Hermina yang menangani kedepalan balita korban flu Singapura itu," imbuh Ani.

Dia juga mengimbau, warga untuk meningkatkan serapan kalori dan protein sehingga anak memiliki daya tahan tubuh yang kuat. "Jangan capek, minum vitamin dan konsumsi makanan bergizi, serta menjaga kebersihan masing-masing," papar Ani.

Menurutnya, penyakit ini tidak membahayakan keselamatan jiwa balita, sebab setelah sepuluh hari akan sembuh dengan sendirinya. "Tapi yang perlu diperhatikan adalah munculnya sariawan yang menyebabkan anak tidak bisa makan dan minum serta muntah-muntah," katanya.
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Dinkes Depok Belum Teliti Kasus Flu Singapura

DEPOK- Dinas Kesehatan Kota Depok belum pernah melakukan penelitian khusus mengenai hand, foot, and

mouth disease atau yang lebih dikenal dengan flu singapura.

"Sepengetahuan saya, belum ada penelitian tentang itu," kata Kepala Dinas Kesehatan Kota Depok, Hardiono, di Depok, Rabu (15/4/2009).

Pasalnya, laporan penyakit ini juga tidak sebanyak kasus penyakit lain, seperti DBD atau flu burung. Meski demikian, pada 13 April lalu, petugas Dinkes telah melakukan pemeriksaan epidemologi di daeah Perumahan Bella Casa, Depok.

Pemeriksaan epidemologi tersebut dilakukan dengan melihat penderita untuk tegakkan diagnosis dan apabila perlu dilakukan pengambilan sampel darah.

Akan tetapi, karena semua penderita sudah sembuh, maka pengambilan sampel darah tidak perlu dilakukan."Karena sudah negatif, maka tidak ada tes darah," ujar Hardiono.

Menurutnya, hingga saat ini belum ada laporan penambahan kasus. Akan tetapi, jika ada laporan kasus, maka dalam waktu 1 x 24 jam, petugas Dinkes akan langsung turun ke lapangan untuk lakukan survei.

Hardiono menambahkan, penyakit ini tidak perlu ditakuti karena tidak terlalu membahayakan. "Cukup ditingkatkan daya tahan tubuh saja, anak akan sembuh," jelasnya.

Selain itu, pihaknya juga telah memerintahkan untuk dilakukannya penyuluhan dan penerangan tentang Pola Hidup Bersih dan Sehat (PHBS) oleh Puskesmas dan Posyandu kepada masyarakat.

Mengenai kecenderungan bahwa penyakit ini menyebar di Depok, ada kemungkinan karena mobilitas masyarakat di Depok yang tinggi. "Bisa jadi orangtuanya sering ke luar negeri lalu pulang ia dekat-dekat sama anaknya, jadi kena virus," tuturnya.

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