Health Care 101 Blog

Hygiene is still the best defense against viruses and experts are again raising the alarm for simple yet effective precautionary measures that minimizes the chances of infection, especially for us social creatures who enjoy company of others that can carry such nasty surprises. Hand washing especially in public places where physical contact is assured is indeed a good way to protect yourself. Face masks are effective only if they are worn at all times and if everybody uses them. In the home, proper sanitation of all surfaces that are touched frequently is also a key to preventing the disease form spreading. Once a proper vaccine has been developed, they will allow us to deal better with the disease to train our immune system with a weakened form of the virus that lets it know how to deal with it best and shrug it off as a known invader.
Mortality in young children and older patients who have either weakened immune systems or developing immune systems are the most susceptible so proper care and monitoring are tantamount to get them back on track. Immune system boosting drugs might be effective such as the two developed anti-viral medication available, but they are in so short supply that stocks are not enough for all of us. Given the fact that the proper treatment regimen takes several doses it amplifies the fact we were totally unprepared to deal with the spread of the said virus.The economic recession may have also played part, shifting funding to more pressing economic needs rather than developing more vaccines and effective treatment regimens to protect the citizens of the many countries the world over. The true impact of the SWINE FLU is still far from complete and total statistical analysis due to the fact it is still a developing health crisis. Take precautionary measures to protect yourself and your family against the flu and hygeine is still the best cure.