Swine Flu

With the global scare of now popular Swine influenza or also called as Swine Flu. It is caused by any virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae. This kind of virus is endemic to pigs or popularly known as Swine. This kind of strain is also known as Swine Iinfluenza Virus (SIV).

Classification of Influenza Virus:

• Influenzavirus A, which is common
• Influenzavirus C , which is rare
• Influenzavirus B which is not reported in swine

All three clades, Influenzavirus A, B, and C, are also endemic in humans.

Causes of Swine Flu

Exposure to swine with known illness of Swine Flu, this includes a person who works in swine industry. Once a person has been exposed to swine flu, the virus mutates then it allows it to pass between humans. It is believed that these strain now on outbreak in many countries including Mexico and United States.

Symptoms of Swine Flu

The symptoms of swine flu if human is infected will be like similar to those of influenza illness.

These includes, chilling, fever, headache, and extreme muscular pains. The nose and throat are inflamed, and this may extend down to the windpipe of the lungs that could further result into cough, runny nose, sore throat and watery eyes.

For mild cases of fever, the temperature may rise from 39ºC (102ºF) – 40ºC (104ºF). Fatigue and general body weakness may persist for several weeks.

Home Remedies / Treatment for Swine Flu

Note: it is advised to report all cases of Swine flu with the nearest authorities for them to decide what are the best action can be done to avoid possible outbreak since the WHO is now on the brink of calling Swine Flu pandemic. The listed home remedies are just an aid and an initial action to address swine flu symptoms. Always ask your General Practitioners advice.

Long Pepper: Mix ½ teaspoon of long pepper powder with 2 teaspoons of honey and ½ teaspoon of ginger juice. Take it 3 times a day during the initial stages of flu. It can help avoid further complications in the larynx and the bronchial tube.

Garlic: Consume liberal amount of garlic. It is an effective antiseptic against flu.

Turmeric: Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup of milk. Take it 3 times a day. This will prevent further complications and stimulates liver activity.

Mix equal parts of onion juice and honey. Take 3-4 teaspoons of this mixture everyday.

Ginger: Mix 1 teaspoon of ginger juice, 1 cup of fenugreek decoction and few drops of honey for flavoring. It is a excellent diaphoretic that increases perspiration and lowers down the fever. To make a fenugreek decoction, simply boil 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in 1 liter water until it lowers by 1/3.

Grapefruit: Consume moderate to liberal amount of grapefruit for it tones up the body’s system and digestive tract.

Basil leaves: Boil 1 gm of basil leaves and some ginger in 1 liter water. Wait until the water lowers to a half. Drink as tea when necessary.

Finger Millet: Burn some flour of ginger millet and inhale its fumes. It will help stimulate blood circulation in the nasal mucosa and gets rid of stuffy nose.

Diets Suggestions for People infected with Swine Flu

Abstain from solid foods during the acute stages of Swine Flu. For the first 3-5 days of the treatment, the patient should undergo an exclusive fruit and vegetable juice diet diluted in water on a 50:50 proportion, might also change depends if the condition is extreme.

Follow with an exclusive fruit diet for the next 2-3 days after the fever subsided. Follow again with a fruit and milk diet for the next 2-3 days.

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and raw vegetables afterwards.

Avoid alcoholic drinks, coffee, tea, as well as cheese, potatoes, rice, stale, spices and condiments, milk, seasoned meats and all refine, processed foods.

Other suggestions for Swine Flu

Warm water enema: Administer a warm water enema everyday for the first 3-5 days of the treatment.

Cold packs: Soak a large piece of linen material in cold water. Squeeze it, and then wrap it around the body and legs of the patient. Cover completely with a blanket. Leave for 1 hour. Remove the pack then sponge the body using lukewarm water. Repeat application several times a day to reduce temperature. Let the patient stay in bed until complete recovery.