Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Swine Flu Symptoms Similar to Those of Human Flu

Swine flu has corresponding symptoms to the more popular, human being seasonal form of flu.

It is 1 of a number of viruses that cause illness among people and animals, causing respiratory troubles, fever and tiredness.

Avian grippe - which has previously been the subject of pandemic concerns after human beings started catching it - is another deadly form.

Corresponding to the Health Protection Agency, outbreaks of swine influenza - a disease stimulated by type A grippe - on a regular basis strike pigs.

Individuals who are around pigs likely have the H1N1 virus but it is also possible for the virus to spread from individual to person.

Suggesting memories of the cares associated with bird grippe, the current detected threat of a pandemic was brought to public attention after cases of human swine influenza were reported in Mexico and regions of California and Texas in the US.

On That Point no cases were discovered in the UK for at least 10 yrs.

Specialists discovered that this virus is transmissible and circulating from human being to human being although they do not know how easily the virus circulates between individuals, the Health Protection Agency said.

The symptoms of swine flu in individuals are synonymous to the symptoms of regular human being seasonal grippe and include fever, tiredness, miss of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Numerous people have also reported vomiting and diarrhea.

Tests has presented that the human being swine grippe H1N1 can be treated with the antivirals oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Seasonal flu is caused by viruses that are adapted to spread in human beings, who have some natural resistance to popular forms and can boost it by immunisation with a vaccine.

Avian grippe is induced by flu viruses adapted for transmission in birds while swine grippe is induced by grippe viruses adapted for infection in pigs.

Potentially major problems can develop when human being and animal grippe viruses combine and lead to the development of different viruses which are resistant to immunity and can extended through the population, triggering a pandemic.

The Health Protection Agency stated it was too early to say whether the events in Mexico and the US would lead to a larger eruption or could represent the appearance of a possible pandemic form of flu virus.

Is currently low evidence to realize the extent to which the events are firmly linked.

Experts from all over the world are working in immediate collaboration with the World Health Organisation to find what risk this situation poses to world wellness.

Protect Against Swine Flu Virus Infection

The swine flu scare has created panic with the rising number of people tested with the H1N1 virus and rising casualties. The need for public health awareness for safety measures against the H1N1 virus is absolutely essential. Lets explore some protection measures each individual can follow to keep oneself as safe as possible?

Face masks and surgical masks will surely help cough or sneeze droplets from spreading. If you are around any infected loved one, it is a good idea to wear a face mask constantly. But wearing face masks does not mean that you are foolproof from contracting swine flu infection.

You may also contract the H1N1 virus if this happens. An infected person sneezes or coughs in their hand. Then their hand touches a doorknob or a switch button. After sometime you happen to touch the same button or doorknob and then touch your eyes, face, mouth or nose; you get infected with the swine flu H1N1 virus.

Wearing face masks is not the most effective strategy to prevent swine flu because sneezing or coughing is not the only way for you to contract respiratory viruses from people.

You need to exercise greatest caution when you are in public places such as public transport, offices, movie theatres or just about any place where there are crowds. Take care not to touch anything when you are outside. Make doubly sure you aren't touching your face in public. Preferably use a tissue and discard it immediately if you have to use it.

The most effective way to prevent getting respiratory viruses like swine flu is washing your hands with soap and water for a good half minute. Wipe off with a paper towel and discard it immediately. Most of us do not do this often enough or correctly.

Remember to wash your hands after you sneeze or cough into your hands. If you do not have a soap and water handy, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are very effective to kill the flu viruses.

If you have any of the swine flu symptoms, contact your health provider immediately. It is a good idea to keep yourself isolated from people until you feel better. This prevents just only for the H1N1 swine flu virus but for all flu viruses.

Swine Flu Symptoms and Treatment

Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by a virus called H1N1. The new strain of H1N1 is a fatal mixture of viruses from pigs, birds and humans. They symptoms are sudden fever, coughing, extreme fatigue and muscle aches. There is also diarrhea and vomiting more than normal flu.

The strains of the disease is such that it rarely transmit from humans to humans. In rare cases, the virus mutates into a form that can move from human to human. The strain responsible for the flu outbreak is understood to have undergone such a mutation and is expected to stay like that for a longer period of time.

Can Swine flu be prevented or cured? There is no vaccine which can prevent this disease. Medicines like Tamiflu and Relenza are effective, if taken initially.

Is it safe to eat pork? Swine Flu is not spread by eating pork or its products including salami, ham and sausages. However, it is a good practice to cook pork over 70 degrees C, which kills the virus. Risk factors: According to medical experts, people who are exposed to areas which has proliferation of pigs, or where they have to work with pigs are at risk of contracting swine flu.

The virus is called swine flu because one of its surface proteins is similar to viruses that usually infect pigs. Pork industry in the US are putting pressure on the officials to change the name of the disease, because no pig as such have been found infected with this particular disease, which has spread among humans.

Swine Flu - Symptoms and Signs

Swine flu this is one of the most common news these days. The reason is that, the swine flu virus has started to spread over the world and it is identified as and deadly virus. However the doctors believe that this virus is originated with the swine. Also they are also wondering why it is spreading in to the humans as it was previously not affected to the humans. So they are always trying to get some additional information and stop the spreading of this critical virus.

Headache, vomiting, diarrhea, cough runny nose, body ache , sore trough, High fever with chill, are the normal symptoms of the swine flu and generally there is no different symptoms than the normal flue. Also the spreading methods also same as the normal flu and it can be spread by sneezing, cough or whatever the normal methods. So it is always necessary to take various precautions to avoid the spreading of this virus as the doctors are still looking for some cure for it.

Covering your mouth and nose while you sneezing or coughing is a good way to prevent the spread of this virus and it is a must if you are dealing with a large number of people. The reason is if you not take these precautions, then you are in a risk of being infected.

Also washing your hands and the face often will be a good thing to avoid being infecting. The reason is that, when you wash those places more often, the viruses cannot stay sufficient time to make you infected. Also it is always better to use some hand wash product to wash the hands as they can clearly destroy the germs.

And the most important thing, if you feel you are sick, then you must go for medical treatment immediately as if it is not that virus can be spread further with your family members and friends. Also, since it is the beginning, the doctors might able to control the situation with some medicines.

However as at now, there are couple of people have died because if this swine flu and most of them are elder people. So in general terms their immunization ability is lower than the others. Anyway, since now this has been started to spread all over the world, it is always necessary to take the above precautions to avoid unwanted circumstances.

Also the government of the states has identified the seriousness of this issue and they have started various programs in order to guide the citizens regarding the situation. Also they are always providing full support to the scientists who are still looking for some kind of solution for this swine flu. Along with that number of volunteers also doing various things to prevent this virus is being spread and many environment cleaning campaigns are still continuing.

Though there is no vaccines were introduced for this swine flu conditions, the scientist hope to provide a solution very soon and they have given their top priority for the work.

10 Symptoms of Swine Flu & How a Thermometer is a Good Start

This summer they said that because the kids were off school, we would experience a great reduction in the number of cases of Swine Flu in the UK. However, as the kids across the country go back to school, there's a high chance that it will once again sweep across the nation.

So that you know what to look for and don't confuse Swine Flu with some other ailment, we've created a handy list of the 10 symptoms that you should look out for, if you want to greatly reduce the affect that Swine Flu has on you and your family.

These Key Symptoms:

Symptom 1: TEMPERATURE
According to the NHS, a sudden but consistently high body temperature of 38°C/100°F or higher is one of the core typical symptoms of swine flu. If you feel feverish, use a medical thermometer
to check your temperature regularly. For this reason, it's common sense to have a good thermometer in your home.

Symptom 2: SUDDEN COUGH
A bad cough that appears as if from nowhere is one of the typical symptoms of the H1N1 Swine Flu. Always try to cough into a handkerchief and dispose of it appropriately afterward.

Plus Some of These Other Symptoms:

Symptom 3: HEADACHE
The kind of headache you get when you have a bad cold or the flu. The type that makes you want to stay in bed.

Symptom 4: TIREDNESS
Being unusually tired or fatigued is also a symptom of common flu, but combined with the key symptoms, this is an indication that you may have swine flu and it's time to take your temperature.

Symptom 5: CHILLS & FEVER
Shivering one minute and roasting hot the next? That's another accompanying symptom of this type of flu and you should consider calling the doctor.

Symptom 6: LIMB AND JOINT PAINS
Just like when you have the regular flu, your arms and legs and all your joints seem to be heavy and ache when you move them. It could be swine flu, check your temperature with a medical thermometer

Symptom 7: UPSET STOMACH
A tender stomach with diarrhea is another sign that you may need to think about calling the Swine Flu Hotline.

Symptom 8: SORE THROAT/RUNNY NOSE
Whilst a runny nose can be caused by allergic rhinitis and the common cold, when it's accompanied by a painful sore throat, it's time to get the thermometer and check your temperature.

Symptom 9: SNEEZING
As we emerge from the hay fever period, this symptom will be easier to spot. However, remember sneezing is commonly caused by dust allergies and the common cold too.

Symptom 10: LOSS OF APPETITE
You should notice this one almost immediately. If you go off your food, it's very important that you keep your fluids up, especially if you're experiencing an upset stomach with watery stool.

Remember, it's easier to deal with Swine Flu when it's caught early on and one of the best ways to spot the symptoms is to look out for consistently high temperatures. Get a good working medical thermometer for your home or school before the Swine Flu bug really takes a bite out of you.

How to Ask Out your Work Colleague?

Imagine the picture: Joining your new office, you have been infatuated with the pretty woman sitting across your desk. For quite some while, you have started dreaming of her! You are constantly thinking, ‘How can I initiate the whole thing?’ or ‘How can I ask her out’?

These days, most of us are made to spend at least 8 hours at our workplace. So, there’s nothing unnatural about falling for a colleague. But, there are, of course, certain rules that you need to follow. So, we have come up with a few suggestions. They can surely guide you in your way.

If you haven’t spoken to her before, you can greet her with a smile and introduce yourself. When she smiles back, you may ask her whereabouts or start discussing on some general topic. But, don’t go on talking for long. That may irritate her. The next day, you have to create an opportunity for talking to her. Suppose, you are facing some problems in your work. Here, you get the chance of seeking her help. Once she lends her helping hands to you, you can be sure that she is quite willing to bail you out of your trouble. You must not forget to express gratitude to her for her effective support.

Just the once both of you start exchanging verbal notes regularly; the scope of building a close friendship opens up. After being in affable terms with each other for at least a couple of weeks or more, now you can ask her out. But, before going for a ‘formal’ date, you can ask her to watch a movie or game of baseball with you. By the way, you should know her likes and dislikes before approaching her. Let’s suppose that she is a die-hard tennis fan or a lover of romantic-comedies. But, you are forcing her to accompany you to a basketball match or a science-fiction movie. These sorts of behaviors will certainly make her miffed. So, know her preferences first and then act accordingly. After you spend a gala time together at the movie-hall or sports stadium, you are free to invite her for a dinner at a posh restaurant. Here, you can get into a more intimate tête-à-tête with your colleague. Getting over with your dinner, you may escort her to home.

But, dating your colleague may not be that easy always. She may have her work pending and needs to stay back at office. In this situation, forcing her to join you for dinner won’t be a very good idea. It may also happen that she is contemplating a serious and long-term relationship and office romance is against the company policy. Here too, she won’t be interested to go out with you. So, you better consider these factors before giving away your heart to her. If you pester her too much, she will have reasons to get angry and she may bring the issue to the HR department’s notice. As a result, your job can be at stake. So, look before you leap. Instead asking her repeatedly for a romantic evening together, try to help her as much as possible in her work. Working together for long hours, sometimes well beyond the office hours, helps in building mutual trust. After winning her reliance as a co-worker, try to be her best friend. Friendship is so precious to a woman that she cannot refuse you once you ask her out. She will indeed go out with you for the sake of true friendship. So, once you win a special place in her heart as a colleague and friend, going for a romantic date won’t be a distant dream.

You can also inform her about some events and happenings in office that she was unaware of. Presenting her a surprise birthday gift will make her day and she won’t find any excuse of refusing you. Again, rather than waiting for her birthday to come, you can offer her a present on any special occasion. Just give her a friendship band and ask her out in the evening. Try to know about her family, pets and other near and dear ones. Once she gets to know your concern regarding her family matters, she will indeed come closer to you. If she wants to discuss details of her kin with you, you can grab the opportunity of inviting her over a cup of coffee.

With increasing working hours, seldom a woman gets a chance of meeting new people and go out for a date. Here, comes your chance to put forward your proposal. Don’t rush for things. Just wait for the right time and opportunity to come and your moment of enjoyment will arrive soon. Running after an unwilling person is not desirable. So, instead of zeroing on a single colleague, keep your options open and make the most out of a situation.

What to Get For Your Most Outstanding Colleague

Business gifts can also make a perfect present to a good colleague who did a well-done job. There are so many business gifts to choose from, however, choosing the best one can be very tricky sometimes. To make shopping easy for you, you need to consider some factors about your recipient. It really make sense if you know what he likes.

There are several situations where business gifts can be given. They can be given as employee recognition gifts to promote positive changes into the work place. Or, gifts to loyal clients and customers that are very vital to any kind of business. There are a variety of ways to use business gifts, among which is to build better good relationship towards other people.

Going back to the very topic of this article, business gifts for a good colleague come in different choices, from simple, elegant to unique gifts. However, again, your choice should depend on his taste and personality. Recognizing the achievement and contribution of a colleague foster a positive relationship not only with you, but also with the entire work environment. A good choice of business gift for him can inspire a high performer to continue doing a good job. Before you start to hunt business gift for a colleague, you need to consider first some things which will make your gift presentable and appropriate.

Before you pick out business gift for your colleague, ask yourself what your purpose is. And since you want to honor an achiever, a personalized gift would work in this case. Try to come up with a proper presentation as well. You want to make it personal but keep it professional. A personalized gift is always well appreciated. Keep it personal to a point that he'll actually like it and use it. But always keep in mind that there also some gifts that can be too personal.

Of course, you have to plan a budget for your gift. The gift must be able to tell that you truly value him.

Don't be stingy with the budget. Remember, it would take time and hard work to meet the criteria of a well-designed gift for someone who seem to have almost everything. Also, make your selection as diverse as possible. Search for a wide variety of items to choose from. Family gifts, gifts for the home, gifts for kids, entertainment gifts, gifts for the office and hi-tech gifts are some example of categories you can have.

Visit online stores. Unlike local shopping malls, online stores can offer you wide variety to choose from. In addition to that, their prices are often cheaper than of local retail stores.

Choices of gifts for an excellent colleague include office desk accessories, such as business card holders, personalized pens, personalized desk clocks, desk personalized picture frames and many others. You can also give personalized cufflinks, money clips and pocket watches - sophisticated and classy gifts that suits his professional look. Personalize your business gift whenever possible for maximum impact. Use imagination, creativity and customization to make your gift stand out.

What Makes a Good Work Colleague?

Would you consider yourself to be a good colleague to the people that you work with? What constitutes a good work colleague? I would like to think that I am a person that other people would like to work with, I suppose that I will never know in reality whether I am or not. In this article I will be writing about what I believe makes a good work colleague.

I have worked with many people over the years, some good, some bad. These are the types of people that I like to work with and have what I would consider to be the types of character that would enable them to be classed as good colleague:

1. A good work colleague will listen to their fellow workers and will offer advice where necessary. When they are trusted with confidential information they keep it to themselves, unlike other not so trustworthy colleagues who tend to enjoy spreading gossip.

2. A good work colleague will be very helpful by assisting their fellow workers in any way that they can.

3. A good work colleague will try and make the atmosphere at their place of work as happy and fun as possible. They will try to do this by sharing jokes and stories as well as being bright and bubbly.

4. A good work colleague will go the extra mile by showing additional thought compared to the majority of colleagues. For example they will offer other people a lift home or will volunteer to collect sandwiches for their fellow workers at lunch time.

5. A good work colleague will not stab their fellow workers in the back, so to speak, and will not be a constant suck up to the boss.

Looking at the short list above I would have to say that I would be a good colleague to work with. So how about yourself, are you a good work colleague?

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Labor Day Travel Tips

It's hard to believe that we're already in August! That means the summer is winding down and Labor Day, which lands on Monday, September 7 this year, is right around the corner. Over the past few weeks, we've highlighted properties in four stunning destinations - San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas and Chicago - where you can snag great Labor Day deals and make the most of your vacation with friends and family. In fact, feel free to visit our Labor Day Hotel Deals page, where you can choose great Labor Day deals in these cities and many more.

I'll be heading to Chicago this year. My kids have been dying to check out Six Flags Great America and Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze. Whether you're planning to hit the Big Apple with your partner, ride bikes with your kids along the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, or head to Las Vegas to try your hand at roulette in one of its famed casinos, Labor Day weekend is a great time to squeeze in one last summer getaway.

Everyone knows, though, that last-minute planning, traffic and other factors can make things pretty hectic. This week, we feature several tips on how to keep Labor Day fun, safe and stress-free.

Planning Makes Perfect



Make sure to plan ahead and book your travel plans as far in advance as possible. Print out several copies of maps, driving directions and hotel reservations should something get misplaced. If driving, it's best to set out for your destination early in the morning so as to avoid heavy traffic. While it's good to pack days ahead, a last minute check of all essentials (airline tickets, money, kids' supplies, etc.) before heading off never hurts. You'll also want to pack smart and check the latest baggage fees for your airline, as well as ensure that your bags are under the weight limit.

Stay Safe



Make sure to lock all car doors and enable your alarm after getting out of your vehicle, even if only for a quick restroom stop or bite to eat. If you happen to be traveling at night, make sure to park in well-lit, concentrated areas. Try to leave showy valuables such as jewelry at home. Drive with extra caution and be mindful of reckless drivers who have had too much to drink!

Eating Tips



It's always a good idea to bring chips, sandwiches and other snacks with you for the road. Not only will it keep the kids happy, but your pocketbook will thank you for it later! If you'd rather eat out, be sure to research which dining options each area has to offer. And if you're planning to stay at a relative's house, why not consider a family barbecue? Just make sure to wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling raw foods; once the food is set on the table and ready to eat, have all bowls and dishes covered to keep the pesky bugs away.

Have Fun!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Labor Day 2009 - Top Destinations For Kids and the Parents That Love Them

Planning a weekend with the kids can be a daunting task or, at the very least, mildly overwhelming. Whether you are looking to barbeque in your backyard or jet-set across the country, there are a ton of options to choose from for Labor Day this year. So, break out the lawn chairs and pack up the cooler. Here are some of the top family-friendly destinations to celebrate Labor Day.

New York City:

You can't have a list of top destinations without mentioning the great city of New York. There is always something going on in the Big Apple, and Labor Day weekend is no exception. At Fifth Avenue and 44th Street, you can see an impressive lineup of high school band players, politicians, trade union members, and police and fire departments marching their way down the city streets. As with all other special events, expect New York to do it up big; no disappointment is anticipated!

Washington, DC:

Kick off the performing arts season at the US Capitol on the Sunday directly preceding Labor Day. Hang out on the West Lawn and enjoy free performances by the National Symphony Orchestra, led by Emil de Cou. This year commemorates the 200th anniversary of President Lincoln's birth, so look forward to a full program, including Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait."

Copper Country Festival, CO:

This western-themed party is great for the little ones, and it includes a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, rodeo activities and a lineup of musicians ranging from country to zydeco, rock, pop and blues and everything in between.

Los Angeles:

There is a host of activities going on in the LA metropolitan area for Labor Day weekend, so there is sure to be something for everyone. This year's activities include the Long Beach Greek Festival, Fiesta Hermosa, Art Deco Festival on the Queen Mary, and Orange International Street Fair.