Prepare for Round 2 of the Swine Flu

As we all know, flu season is quickly approaching. While the initial scare of the H1N1 virus (formerly "swine flu") is subsiding despite being a ranked as a global pandemic, people should still be on guard for its return this fall. Reports from the World Health Organization show the virus may be coming back with a vengance in the upcoming flu season. It is believed that the H1N1 virus will evolve into a stronger, mutated strain that will lead to more severe illnesses. 

This link is an Interactive Outbreak Map created by the World Health Organization to show how wide spread the H1N1 virus has become in just a few months since the virus has been discovered. Should the virus mutate as they expect, we are looking at a possible global catastrophe on both an economical and social stand point due to high rates of illness and absenteeism in the work place.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available right now to protect against the H1N1 virus. However, by cleaning and sanitizing the home and work place regularly you can prevent the spread of germs. A listing of general purpose disinfectants and cleaners can be found under the category Janitorial Supplies - Warsaw Chemical. Warsaw Chemical also carries EPA registered sanitizers and disinfectants that are effective against the H1N1 virus, such as: 256, DDDS, One Step, and TB Quat.

The following is general information on the H1N1 virus:

What is the H1N1 Virus?
The H1N1 virus (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. Contrary to popular belief, H1N1 viruses are not spread by food and one cannot get infected with the virus from eating pork or pork products. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and avian genes and human genes. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" virus.

Signs & Symptoms
Although uncomplicated influenza-like illness fever, cough or sore throat has been reported in many cases, mild respiratory illness (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea without fever and occasional severe disease also has been reported.

Other symptoms reported with swine influenza A virus infection include:

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• myalgia
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• dyspnea.

Conjunctivitis is rare, but has been reported. Severe disease (pneumonia, respiratory failure) and fatal outcomes have been reported with swine influenza A virus infection. The potential for exacerbation of underlying chronic medical conditions or invasive bacterial infection with swine influenza A virus infection should be considered.

 

Don’t become another statistic of the H1N1 virus. Safe guard yourself, your family and your work place from the rampant spread of this disease.

MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/swine_flu/article.htm

World Health Organization.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html