Swine Flu Treatments : Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) - Ralenza (Zanamivir)

As news of the A/1H1N Swine Flu pandemic spreads so do the rumours and fear. One persistently reoccurring statement is that existing flu treatments Tamiflu and RalenzaOseltamivir and Zanamivir) are not effective against the newest strain of Swine Flu. These rumours are not true; Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) are considered to be effective and viable Swine Flue treatments.

CDC: Key Facts about Swine Flu
According to the CDC and WHO websites both Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) can treat the A/1H1N Swine Flu strain. Both drugs are currently recommended as effective treatment options. What does not currently exist is a vaccine for

the A/1H1N Swine Flu strain. Swine Flu virus A/1H1N is a never before super flu that consists of 3 known swine flu strains, 3 known bird flu strains and a human flu virus. The combination of these strains makes the A/1H1N Swine Flu an unusual, but as of yet still treatable, strain of the flu. While there is no vaccine that combats these strains, alone or in combination the anti-viral medications Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) are expected to be fully effective when administered quickly and properly. If you suspect you or somebody you know may be suffering from this new hybrid strain of Swine Flu seek treatment immediately. The sooner you are given Tamiflu or Ralenza, the better your chances of making a full recovery. All of the known US and Canadian cases of the A/1H1N Swine Flu are being treated with either Tamiflu or Ralenza (Oseltamivir or Zanamivir) and it is too soon to declare them ineffective. More will be known as the people currently suffering from the illness in Canada and the US start to recover.

How do Tamiflu and Ralenza (Oseltamivir and Zanamivir) work?

Both Tamiflu and Ralenza were designed to combat human strains of the influenza A and B viruses. They combat the flu by inhibiting the way that the virus spreads in the body. Tamiflu is given orally and Ralenza is administered via an inhaler. Both Tamiflu and Ralenza are approved for use in adults and children over the age of 7. It is important to note that the side effects of these drugs can be similar to Swine Flu symptoms and this may be to blame for anecdotal reports that the medications have been ineffective treatments. The CDC has no vaccine for A/H1N1 Swine Flu but it has expressed confidence in both Tamiflu and Ralenza.

Ralenza (Generic: Zanamivir)

Ralenza acts to bind the virus to its host cell stopping it from spreading to other cells by attaching to the neuraminidase protein in the virus itself. This effectively grounds the virus to its host cell rendering it incapable of spreading. Ralenza is given through a type of inhaler called a "diskhaler".

Tamiflu (Generic: Oseltamivir)

To be most effective Tamiflu must be administered within the first 48 hours of infection. The effectiveness of Tamiflu greatly diminishes after this point and the longer one goes without treatment the less effective the drug becomes. Tamiflu is only available by prescription or from a hospital.

Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is given orally as either a pill or fruit flavoured syrup. The medication has been successful in treating aggressive Bird Flu strains in the past and is currently believed to be a viable option in treating the A/H1N1 Swine Flu strain.

During clinical trials in Vietnam Tamiflu was found to be mildly effective and results were considered to be disappointing. This may be where rumours that Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) is not effective against the new Swine Flu hybrid took root.

In the Vietnam clinical trials Tamiflu was administered late after infection, in most cases after the 48 hour period had elapsed, and this is believed to be the reason for lower than anticipated success rates.

The Vietnam clinical trial results only underline the importance of early treatment with Tamiflu. By declaring A/H1N1 Swine Flu a pandemic the CDC allowed medical professionals to start treatment when a patient is suspected to be suffering from the illness eliminating the need to test and verify before treatment.

Written by Tina Kells in http://www.nowpublic.com

Ramadan Fasting - Key to a good Health

Fasting has its advantages from the point of view of health and hygiene. Islam wants a Muslim to be healthy, clean, alert, agile and energetic. "Fast to be healthy," had said the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). And physicians today acknowledge the many benefits of fasting that ensure health and the soundness of one's body and mind. Some of these positive points have a direct influence on psychology and physique of the fasting individual.

Fasting has been found to be an effective treatment for psychological and emotional disorders. It helps a person to firm up his will, cultivate and refine his taste and manners, strengthen his conviction of doing good, avoid controversy, petulance and rashness, which all contribute towards a sane and healthy personality. Besides nurturing resistance and ability to face hardships and endurance, fasting reflects on outward physical appearance by cutting out gluttony and getting rid of excess fat. The benefits of fasting on health do not stop there but are instrumental in alleviating a number of physical diseases, including those of the digestive systems, such as chronic stomachache, inflammation of the colon, liver diseases, indigestion, and conditions such as obesity, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, asthma, diphtheria and many other maladies.

Some medical benefits of Ramadan Fasting :

Weight Management
Fasting has been used by patients for weight management, to rest the digestive tract and for lowering lipids.    

Calorie
The calorie intake of Muslims during Ramadan is at or slightly below the nutritional requirement guidelines. 

Long Lasting
The lessons learned during Ramadan, whether in terms of dietary intake or righteousness, are carried on after Ramadan, there effects will be long lasting.   

Effect of Fasting
The Effect of fasting includes lowering of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol and lowering of the systolic blood pressure. 

Treatment of Mild
Fasting would be an ideal recommendation for the treatment of mild to moderate, stable, non-insulin diabetes, obesity, and essential hypertension.

Improve Physical Condition
In 1994 the first International Congress on "Health and Ramadan", held in Casablanca, entered 50 extensive studies on the medical ethics of fasting. Improvement in many medical conditions was noted. Such as, fasting did not harm any patients' health or their baseline medical condition.

Improves Memory
There is a beneficial effect of extra prayer at night. This not only helps with better utilization of food but also helps in energy output. There are 10 extra calories output for each unit of the prayer. Again, we do not do prayers for exercise, but a mild movement of the joints with extra calorie utilization is a better form of exercise. Similarly, recitation of the Quran not only produces a tranquility of heart and mind, but improves the memory.

Caring for Health
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone." (Muslim)

A Swiss physician Dr. Barsilus noted that: The advantages of hunger as a remedy exceed those ingesting medicine several times.

 As readers are well aware, several physicians advise patients to skip meals, sometimes for a few days, before prescribing them a controlled diet.

Generally speaking, fasting hastens the destruction of the decaying tissues of the body by means of hunger, and then builds new tissues through nutrition. This is why some scientists suggest that fasting should be regarded as an effective means of restoring youthfulness and longevity. However, Islam exempts from fasting sick and old people whose health is bound to deter.

 But fasting should have its regulations too, and not simply the in orderly skipping meals, that is bound to harm health and stamina, rather than improving them. Here again Islam provides the answer, and in order to realize the benefits of fasting, it recommends the late midnight meals called Sahar (before the formal start of a fast) and the breaking of the fast at the time prescribed. Of course, to ensure good health one should abstain from 

gluttony after breaking fast.

Moderation: It is difficult to identify the moderation in the desires for food and sex because of the different needs and energies of individuals. Moderation of an individual may be considered as exaggeration or shortage for another. The relative moderation is to have only the quantity that is sufficient, away from greed and fill. The best criterion in this regard is that which was stated by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS): "Son! May I instruct you four words after which you will no longer need medicine? Do not eat unless you are hungry. Stop eating while you are still hungry. Chew food deliberately. Before sleeping, go to toilet. You will not need medicine if you follow."

In the holy Quran, there is a Verse gathering the whole matter of medicine. It is: "...Eat and drink but do not be excessive." (7:31)

Transferred from : http://www.ezsoftech.com and http://benefits-of-ramadan.blogspot.com

Differences between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms

For those who are finding it difficult to differentiate between a common flu and Swine flu (H1N1) below is the difference between the two.

Symptom	Cold	Swine Flu
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.	A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

Can swine flu be treated? Is it fatal?

Yes, there are treatments for the flu. Tamiflu and Relenza are two types of antiviral drugs that can reduce the severity and duration of illness from swine flu. But they must be taken within two days of symptoms first appearing, warns the CDC. The vast majority of people with influenza, including swine influenza, will have mild or perhaps moderate illness. If a severe case of flu leads to death, it's nearly always in very young and very old patients or those with compromised immune systems.