Swine Flu (H1N1)

-The swine flu A (H1N1) is a viral infection that originated from pigs and was first isolated from pigs in the 1930s.

-From 2005 up to 2009, 10 cases of swine flu were reported in the USA according to the CDC.

-As of June 18th- According to the CDC, 17,855 cases of swine flu were confirmed as of June 18th, 2009, including 44 deaths. New York has the most deaths, with 13.

-As of June 18th, the WHO (World Health Organization) states 70 countries have confirmed cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

The World Health Organization elevated the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 5, on April 29, 2009. Phase 5 is called when there is a “strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.”

Phase 6 is the highest level. On June 11th, the WHO raised the level to Phase 6, indicating that the flu has spread worldwide.



-Antibiotics do not help this infection since it is not from a bacteria.The only medicines which help are antivirals-

-The flu usually strikes during the Winter months and early spring. An epidemic this late is unusual. However, there have been reports of swine flu occurring during summer camps during the summer of 2009.

Swine Flu Deaths

By May 2nd, 2009m the WHO stated there was another 159 probable swine flu deaths, and 1,300 people were hospitalized. The earliest case of swine flu was traced to patient zero- a 5 year old boy in La Gloria, Mexico. The US Company, Smithfield Farms, owns pig farm in town, but none of the pigs have tested positive. Smithfield Farms denied that any of their pigs were infected in a WSJ article in May.

Swine Flu Symptoms

The swine flu symptoms reported when infected with the swine flu are similar to the symptoms of the influenza virus most are familiar with. The good news is that most people who become infected will do fine and will not have any long term complications. Those who are immune compromised, older or pregnant may be at higher risk of complications or serious respiratory illness. The most common swine flu symptoms include:

* Cough
* Congestion
* Nasal Congestion
* Nausea/Vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Body aches
* Joint Pains
* Fevers
* Sore throat
* Headaches
* Fatigue
* Decreased energy
* Rarely death in more severe cases, especially from pneumonia.

Transmission

The viral infection is transmitted to humans who are in contact with swine, although there are several cases of swine flu in people who had no known exposure to either infected people or pigs. Once the species barrier is crossed, human to human transmission can occur with casual contact or airborne transmission, like when one sneezes or coughs. Eating pork products will not cause one to develop the swine flu. Basically, this flu is passed from one person to another like any cold of flu infection.

Prevention of Swine Flu

Washing hands routinely with soap and warm water, and wearing a N99 mask/respirator, such as the Wein ViraMask may also be helpful if you must be in public places. The Wein mask/respirator is strapless and adheres tightly to all faces. When used appropriately, it does not leak. N99 masks provide 100 x more protection than a N95 mask, which are sill a decent option. 3M is also a manufacturer of such masks. If you are planning on traveling by air or train, having a mask available would be a good idea in case it is needed. Also, avoid contact with sick people whenever possible. If you are sick, stay home.

Use alcohol based hand sanitizers to minimize infection risk. Some also use the Wein Air Supply Personal Air Purifier to help reduce exposure to airborne germs. Further, we know that eating healthy food, getting plenty of sleep and keeping your immune system strong can help prevent infections. Vitamin D supplementation may also be of benefit when taken in adequate doses.

Diagnosis of Swine Flu

Remember- most with flu symptoms simply have a viral infection and NOT the swine flu. Maintaining adequate hydration is very important if you contract any viral illness. The swine flu is diagnosed when a physician suspects infection, and sends a nasopharyngeal swab ( a Q-tip of shorts placed about 2 inches in your nose towards your throat) in a special viral collection container to a special lab to be tested.

Treatment of Swine Flu

If you contract the swine flu, there are 2 flu medications which can be helpful. The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses. These medications can also be used for the usual avian influenza. Symptomatic care is most important. Antibiotics will not help. Ask your doctor about your options. Those at high risk should strongly be considered for treatment with medications. High risk patients include those with diabetes, heart disease, immune compromised, seniors over age 65.

Swine Flu Vaccine

On June 12, a new vaccine was apparently produced by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. If you did receive a flu vaccine this year, it will not offer you protection against the swine flu. Baxter Pharmaceuticals however issued a press release saying they are working on a vaccine also. Whether these will prove to be effective is unknown. In 1976, the swine flu vaccine actually killed more people that it helped (learn more).

Other

A study by Dr. Cannell from California also showed that vitamin D can help prevent traditional influenza infections by strengthening the immune system. A daily intake of 2,000 IU daily should be taken at minimum, by most. A dose of up to 10,000 IU of vitamin D daily for a few days may also be helpful. Talk to your doctor about this. However, there are no studies specifically which show swine flu is prevented by vitamin D. Read more about vitamin D’s potential and the swine flu. or visit the vitaminDcouncil.org

Talk to your physician if you have concerns or other questions regarding swine flu.

Health And Survival: Swine Flu (H1N1) Symptoms- Protect Yourself, Phase 6 Alert In Effect!

Malaysia school closed down due to Swine Flu

Believe in yourself

I've been through alot. I've witness alot. I've experience countless of times. I know how it feels when you feel helpless, especially when your relatives/comrades/friends depending on you. I'm hereby to share my story to whoever who are about to read this blog. And please spare me the grammar mistakes. This is e-world. Not your mother's kiddergarden.

I'm just another kid who are obsessed with gaming. When Call of Duty 4 came out, my friend asked me to download it and test the game out. To be honest I was attracted to the game play. Soon later I get involved into multiplayer gaming scene. If you didn't know, Call of Duty 4 was my first competitive game. I've never get involved into any competitive scene before. Not even DotA or Counter-Strike. I was all awhile playing the game and one fine day there's a clan recruiting fresh meat into their squad as they just opened a division for this game. Out of curiosity of having a clan, I decided to join them. That opens the new chapter of my life in competition gaming. Very soon, they accepted me and they trained me day in and out.

"Do you want to play Tbun tourney?", he asked.

I was so eager to be part of the team to join the first ever Call of Duty 4 tourney and I trained day in day out just to guarantee I can play with them. Sadly I didn't make it. Maybe because I was too "fresh" and he thinks I'm not prepared. First ever tournament, I did not participate and I feel very sad about it. Soon after few months later, the team broke apart due to internal conflict. Old members left the team due to commitment of their job, retire from competitive scene, or even moved to other team. I myself also left and look for another clan to join because they are completely dead.

There, another turning point for me, starting a new chapter and I gain alot from it.

"You mind to lend me a hand?” he asked.

I agreed and I temporary took over his position as the leader of the team. I got back couple of my ex-teammates and we start from there. Both of us worked our ass out for the teams, rebuilding the whole division, rebuild the glory. We successfully recruited couple of players and we started to train with other team. There's one time where they mention about sponsorship. "Why not we fight for it?", I said to my teammate. We fought and we won, but ended up it was just another normal scrim, not even close to our motive, sponsorship.

Went back home with sadness and displease, my friends brought me a good news.

"Center of everywhere and it's not sponsoring any teams yet!"

We went to check the place out the next day. It looks exactly the same how my friends describe it to us. And my friend approached the manager. The manager said he'll need to see how good we are as there will be a tournament coming up soon. I was excited because that's my first tournament. We trained very hard, discussing the strategies, locations of every map till the last minute. But the result didn't really turn up as what we were expecting. Let's just say we lost to the team that happened to be the first runner-up of the competition.

But surprisingly, the manager gave us the deal. And he offered us the sponsorship. But in return we need to show them we are capable of winning. I worked my way up from there. I started to recruit players, train them, teach them, all sorts of training that came across my mind. Since then, we have 3 teams to teach among each other.

WGT was my first ever biggest competition I ever participate. To be crown as champion sounds a little far for me but my teams were never ever loses their faith towards their teammate. My team had a walk-over, where as another team have to face one of the best team during that time. After the walk-over, we're facing a team that we always train together. So we know our standard and theirs and we beat them easily. But the next opponent my team was about to face was one of the toughest opposition in that competition. We were nervous and all, but we never loses our faith. We lost, but we put up a good fight. We lost one point in SnD, but we got beaten flat in Domination. We contained by them and we can't do anything about it. That's my first time burst out in tears. It was my fault, but my teammate never loses their faith in me.

Soon after WGT, I hosted a competition in my home ground, where all the big teams are banned. I'm hosting the tournament so I'm banned as well. And this is a good opportunity for the weaker team to shine. I opened 32 teams to join, but 24 teams turned up. Which is a good number of teams considering the date was clashed with PC Fair. Long story cut short, my team crowned the champion. I was happy, rejuvenated and proud of them after so much hard work they’ve put in.

The story continues but I guess is best for me to end it here. This story is not to show how good I am in rebuilding stuff, or how almighty I am, but to show that nothing is impossible. And you are willing to work your way up especially when you have nothing, but friends. Never loses faith in yourself, or your teammate. Because you never know, faith is the key to success. My achievement might doesn't look good to you, but at least I can brag about it.

My current achievement,
- Previously sponsored by Sunway Rock Café, Sunway, Selangor
- Participated in Sunway Cyber Games (2008)
- Quarter Finalist in World GameMaster Tournament (2008)
- Hosted Sunway Rock Café Mini Tournament (2008)
- Council member for Malaysia community of Call of Duty 4 (2008-present)
- Hosted BlitZone PROMOD Tournament (2009)
- Semi Finalist in ESPGL COD4 League (2008-2009)
- CyberFusion 09 LAN Party COD4 Mini Tourney Champions (Team Flakes)
- Quarter Finalist in Tbun PROMOD Tournament (2009)

Belated anniversary

Just check back my old post. The first ever post was at 7th of March 2008. Wow. I didn't realize I've started this blog more than a year ago. Does that mean something? To me is it. At least I show that I have more durability than before. :)

I've been a spoil brat since the day I born. I confess that I always been a emo, brainless, easily get crazy, annoying, bitchy or [insertyourwordhere] kid. I know I'm not a perfect person. I also know I've disappointed alot of people in my life. I also know that there's people putting hopes on me, but I never accomplish. I also know that, you were waiting for me all these years but I never do anything. I also know that I've been a fucked up couple you ever met.

I know I'm not the best. I know I'm not good enough. I know I always giving you excuses.

I also know you think that I'm hiding the truth from you. I also know that you think I'm cheating on you. I also know that you think I have no love for you.

But what you didn't know is;

You are the love of my life. You are part of my life. You are one of the important person in my life. You are in my heart.

The most important part. I know you have no faith on me. I know you think that I'm just fooling around with you. But I've changed. I'm different now.

I do think I deserves a second chance. I do think I can do better than before. I do think I can be what you want me to be. The thing is that, what about you?

I miss you

Do you miss me? I do. Our last conversation ended at 2018, February 13th 2009. I just realized that it was a Friday. Friday the 13th. Black Friday.

I didn't know about it until now. I really don't want this to end, but to continue.

I think about you all day long
When I am not near you, all i think about is being with you
When you are near me, I feel like I have the peace of the whole world
I am not asking god for anything because i have you in my life, and you are everything i wanted
The thing I really want to do is to spend the rest of my life to make you happy as how you made me

Sarang hae