Bulletin on Bird Flu (Avian Influenza)

Bill Gates announced that he would add an additional $250 million to the $4 billion he has already given to tackle the world’s most deadly diseases. What are these deadly diseases and how might they affect you?
One that is on the rise and has infections disease experts concerned and fearing a worldwide pandemic with potentially disastrous results is the “bird flu.” Unlike an epidemicwhich is localized and affects a defined geographic areapandemics are worldwide epidemics and as such, are far more serious and difficult to contain, especially in today’s modern age, with literally millions of individuals traveling internationally each year.

What is the Bird Flu?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “bird flu” is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These flu viruses occur naturally among birds. While wild birds usually do not get sick from them, it is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birdsincluding chickens, ducks, and turkeysvery sick and kill them.

History of similar flu strains
The bird flu is related to the Spanish flu, which broke out as a worldwide pandemic in 1918. While estimates of the death toll and number of individuals stricken vary, most experts estimate that more than 20 million Americans became sick and of these, about 500,000 diedabout ten times more than were killed in battle during World War I. Experts place the worldwide death toll from the Spanish flu at between 30 and 50 million. Many people died within the first few days after infection, and others died later of other complications. Nearly half of those who died were young, healthy adultssomething that is a-typical for most common virus strains today, which tend to affect the most vulnerable among usthe young, the old, and the infirmed.

Potential to infect humans
Bird flu viruses do not usually infect humans, but several cases of human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since 1997. As of July 5, 2005, there have been 116 confirmed human cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia, resulting in 54 deaths, and at least two have died in the Netherlands. Most cases occurred among poultry workers and are believed to have been transmitted through human contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. However, there is at least one documented human-to-human transmission, and there may be others.

Risks to humans today
The potential risk of a pandemic breaking out today could be significant for the following reasons:
 Potential for mutation. Influenza viruses are constantly changing, and while person-to-person transmission of the bird flu is rare, experts fear that strains will adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.

 No vaccines. There is no vaccine and while efforts are underway, developing one will be difficult and take many years, since this modern strain has been so rare among humans.
 No immunity. There is little preexisting natural immunity to infection in the human population.
 Mortality (death) rate. While the Spanish flu had an estimated 5% mortality rate, the early outbreaks of the bird flu had an estimated 70% mortality rate. However, according to recent information from officials, mortality rates have declined to about 30%. This should be good news but it is not, because if that trend continues, it is more likely that greater longevity of infected humans will make them more difficult to identify early on. This lack of early detection could result in more people contracting the bird flu as it silently spreadsthus increasing the chances it will become a global pandemic.

Symptoms of bird flu
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases and distress, and other serious and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of bird flu may depend on which strain of the virus caused the infection.

Medications for combating symptoms if you become infected
Several medications have been in common use for combating viral symptoms for a number of years, and while it is unknown just how effective they will be to help with bird flu, it seems appropriate to have something to do if it gets started in you or your family. As with all medications, be sure to read the package inserts for possible warnings regarding contraindications, drug interactions, and possible side effects prior to taking them.
 Singular. This medication was developed years ago as an anti-cytokine agent for asthma, sinusitis, inflammatory lung disease or allergies. Cytokines are released when viruses enter cells to call for white blood cells and immunologic proteins to come to fight off the virus. Sometimes cytokines become present in excess and cause a “cytokine storm” that kills its victims within hours.
 Tamiflu. This antiviral agent has been on the market for several years and has been singled out by the World Health Organization as the drug of choice against the bird flu, due to is proven effectiveness in treating those infected with H5N1, the strain most likely to be involved in the event of a worldwide outbreak. Tamiflu must be used as soon as possible (within1 - 3 days within the onset of symptoms) to be useful. All major governments are currently stockpiling it, to protect their employees in the case of a pandemic and allow them to continue to provide necessary services to their citizens.

Physicians and other prescribers should be aware that patients with severe influenza-like illnessespecially those with chronic medical conditions or complicated manifestations of acute illnessmight have significant bacterial infections instead of, or in addition to, viral illness and should be evaluated accordingly.

What to do if you decide to buy the prescriptions
We suggest the following as a reasonable approach, given all available information to date:
 Don’t take the medications until the flu has spread to humans in your town.
 Realize that Tamiflu may be on backorder at some pharmacies. In this case, put your name on the list at your local pharmacy and ask them to notify you when it comes in.
 Store them both in the refrigerator or freezer. Doing so will make them last years after the expiration date. Be sure to remember where you put them, as you may not be able to remember if you are feeling sick. Also inform family members.

Suggested regimen
When the media alerts you to the presence of bird flu in your community consider beginning the regimen shown below:

 Start taking Singulair once a day to ward off the first of the cytokine problems.
 When you think you may have contracted the flu, increase the Singulair to twice a day and begin taking the Tamiflu twice a day.
 Begin all the usual supportive measures you have found useful for the flu in the past, and be sure to stay well hydrated by drinking lots of liquid.
 Call your physician to alert them and consider making an appointment for an evaluation to prevent unnecessary and potentially serious complications from secondary infections.

Current predictions
Experts believe that the bird flu pandemic will hit the human population and that it is only a matter of time. No one knows for sure, but most agree it will be in the next 50 years, and many expect that the outbreak will occur in next few months. An estimated 350 million or more people could die in the bird flu pandemic. For now, the medications noted above are not scheduled to go into increased production and thus severe shortages could resultwith a large gap between those who need them and those who are able to get them.

If you would like to be prepared, get your prescriptions soon.

Dr. Joe
Other sources for information
About the bird flu and to obtain the latest CDC updates:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/

About Singular:
http://www.singulair.com/montelukast_sodium/singulair/consumer/index.jsp

About Tamiflu:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/tamiflu.htm

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Anti-aging literature will always advise what food to avoid but will fail to instruct what thoughts to eliminate as part of requirements for the overall result.

Phillipians 4.8 is a verse with specific instruction to be mindfilled of only whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute and if there is any excellence and worthy of praise, to let the mind dwell on these things. Disobedience to these words will cause far more than just feeling uncomfortable and choosing the whole chocolate bar.

When the whole mind, all day is concentrating on the assigned thoughts idle consumption of the wrong foods won’t grow to become the serious challenge that changes a body in quality and appearance.

Growing speed of one initial thought varies within each mind. Strength and velocity changes with different levels of any negative thought. Its effect can often be at the root of many major challenges and may have been planted as a seed with far more strength than recognized. Important issues must be dealt with at the level initially needed to remove and eliminate future growth.

An important facet of anti-aging can be introduced through a mind power that is still undiscovered by many in urgent need. Varying levels of commitment and determination will produce varying levels of success. Any dominating thought must be identified, eliminated and replaced with the positive thoughts from the verse.

This is so simple it’s often laughed at or just not thought possible but practice is essential.

Copyright 2006 Patricia Little

Patricia Little is a writer and the editor of a re-released classic ebook- it will show you how to get the best of health and wealth out of all your future years. For more go to ==> http://www.Young-at-Sixty.com

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As you get older, your body’s energy needs drop and demands for nutrients increase. While aging is inevitable, many of the degenerative changes that prevail past middle age can be easily prevented. Recent medical research confirms that good nutrition can prevent, or slow, conditions such as osteoporosis, diabetes and heart disease. Proper nutrition is an important part of any ‘aging well‘ strategy.

Our Recommendations

Although nutrition is important, healthy eating isn’t just about taking the right nutrients. Remember:

. If you dislike eating alone, organize regular potlucks meals with friends and neighbors.

. Select foods that supply contrasts in color, texture and flavor. Avoid adding salt to improve flavor; instead, use herbs and spices.

. It helps to gather a good mix of ages around you- it will make the transition to old age more varied and enjoyable.

. Maintain old friendships and make new contracts. Go for walk to the nearby park.

. Eat at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables such as carrots, peppers, melons and berries. These contain compounds that protect against aging ailments like heart diseases and cancer.

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. Opt for foods not supplements. Beta carotene-rich foods are one of the top sources of key nutrients promising anti-aging.

. Cook vegetables in as little liquid and for as short a time as possible.

. Make sure to drink six to eight glasses of water, juice or other non-alcoholic fluids everyday to avoid constipation, kidney problems and increased risk of dehydration.

. Exercise regularly in the form of walks or yoga to preserve muscle strength, improve appetite and mood.

. If you have trouble chewing opt for pureed vegetables, soups and other nutritious foods rather than bland liquid diet, which can lead to constipation

. Include Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet, which you can get from flax seeds, canola oils and fish.

Do not change your diet drastically. Gradually include the nutrients and requirements for old age. People over 85 are one of the fastest growing segments of the population, proving that you can live longer and healthier if you practice good food habits.

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Ashley Green

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