‘Swine flu’ – practical tips for
managing infectious disease
The influenza virus regularly mutates or changes. Sometimes a new
variant arises that can cause severe disease due to lack of immunity. When
a disease occurs over a wide geographic area and affects a high proportion
of the population, it is called an epidemic. A pandemic refers to a highly
infectious, serious disease that spreads to more than one continent. ‘Swine
flu’, or influenza virus A/H1N1, is a new variant that is currently rapidly
spreading and being closely monitored. Symptoms are similar to seasonal flu
and include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, chills and
fatigue. Some cases of diarrhoea and vomiting have occurred.
How do I know if I have the flu or just a cold?
Viruses also cause the ‘common cold’. Generally the symptoms are milder
than flu. Influenza tends to come on suddenly – over a few hours, while a
cold is more gradual in onset. Fever, headache, chills, aches and pains
are usual with flu but not prominent in colds. Colds are more likely to
cause a sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and a moist cough. With the flu,
the cough is dry and sometimes associated with chest pain.
What to do if you have the flu?
Notify your doctor by phone if you think you may have flu. Do NOT attend
public places where you may spread the illness (including the doctor’s
surgery). You will be advised about what steps to take. The mainstay of
treatment is rest and plenty of fluids. Antiviral medications may help to
shorten the illness and reduce its severity.
Like other flu viruses, ‘swine flu’ is contagious for 7-10 days from the
day prior to the onset of illness. It may be passed on by those infected
but not yet unwell. The virus can survive on surfaces for up to 2 hours.
It is wise to become aware of infection control measures for the safety of
the whole community. Some basic measures will also limit the spread of
seasonal flu and colds. These include using a nasal tissue for coughing or
sneezing, placing used tissues directly into a rubbish bin and washing
hands frequently. Hands should be washed with soap and water at least 10
times a day, especially after coughing or sneezing (use a personal towel).
Alcohol hand rubs are also effective at killing viruses on the hands. Avoid
touching the nose/mouth areas. Specialised masks may help limit spread of
viruses (they should be changed if they become wet).
Some schools and workplaces may close in order to limit spread of the
virus. It is advisable to have a plan for the possibility of having to
stay at home. This could include having a supply of food and basic
medications such as paracetamol for managing symptoms. Antiviral drugs are
available and a vaccine is currently being developed. Doctors receive
information from local and government authorities and are able to advise
appropriately if you or your family have concerns about symptoms of or
contact with ‘swine flu’.
Make dessert a healthy part of your meal
The word dessert comes from the French verb ‘desservir’ – meaning ‘to
clear the table’.
It was customary in France for the table to be cleared or ‘de-served’ at
the end of the meal. If a cloth was used to cover the table, that was also
removed. Diners were served small items of food to cleanse the palate.
These included stalks of fennel (which were chewed), comfits (fruit
preserved in sugar or brandy) and confectionary flavoured with anise and
peppermint. Bunches of scented flowers were placed on the table to refresh
the nose.
This tradition is reflected in many countries where meals are usually
finished off with servings of fruit. In some cultures, dessert has evolved
into a more substantial dish. For some people (especially children) it may
be the favourite part of the meal. However, rich creamy desserts contain a
lot of sugar and fat and are not part of a healthy diet. They should be
regarded as occasional or ‘treat’ foods.
Desserts made from fruit are an excellent way to end a meal. Fruit makes
an important nutritional contribution to our daily diet by providing
vitamins (especially Vitamin C and other antioxidants), minerals and
fibre. Fibre creates bulk, helping create a sense of fullness at the end
of a meal.
Tasty fruit-based desserts include fruit salad, baked apples stuffed
with chopped dates, pears cooked with wine and spices, fruit-based
sorbets, or this recipe for pancakes:
Good Health on the Menu
Walnut and Banana Pancakes
(serves 4)
1 ½ cups SR flour
½ cup rolled oats
½ tsp bicarb soda
1 tbsp sugar
¼ cup walnuts, chopped
2 eggs
275ml low fat milk
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 bananas, sliced
Extra fruit and ricotta cheese
for serving
In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients. Beat the eggs and milk
together. Add lemon juice and bananas and stir into the dry
ingredients.
Heat a lightly oiled non-stick fry pan and drop large spoonfuls of the
mixture into the pan. When bubbles form on the surface, turn the pancake
and cook for about 1 minute.
Serve pancakes with extra fresh fruit topped with ricotta cheese.
Heart attack one of the main killers in Western Society
There are six main risk factors for this disease. They are:
Hereditary Factors
Smoking
High Blood Pressure
Fats in the blood
Obesity
Lack of exercise
Apart from the first, all of these risk factors are in our own control.
Are you giving yourself the best chance of avoiding a heart attack?
Did you Know?
Women tend to get more ‘belly fat’ as they age.
Many women notice they develop increased ‘belly fat’ as they age,
especially after menopause (when periods cease and hormone levels drop).
With age, the metabolism (which burns fat) slows down and the proportion
of fat in the body increases. Women experience a greater increase in fat
than men. After menopause, the distribution of body fat changes – less to
arms, legs and hips and more to the belly or abdomen.
Too much fat around the belly is known as ‘central obesity’ and is
associated with increased risk of several illnesses including heart
disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers. The fat you can’t
see, which sits around the abdominal organs (visceral fat), is actually
more dangerous than more visible fat under the skin.
Fortunately, visceral fat responds well to a regular exercise routine
and a healthy diet. It is wise to talk to your doctor about what sort of
exercise and nutrition program is most suitable for you.
Many are unaware of warning signs of heart attack
A recent survey of 3000 adults in Australia has shown that while most
(67%) can identify chest pain as a marker of heart attack, many were
unaware of other warning signs such as pain in other sites (particularly
the jaw and left arm), dizziness, sweating and nausea (identified by fewer
than 10%). As prompt treatment may be life saving, it is important to be
aware of the many possible symptoms of heart attack.
Schizophrenia is often misunderstood
Many people still think of ‘split personality’ when they hear the word
schizophrenia. The term comes from two Greek words that mean,
“split-mind”. Doctors originally used this word to describe the disruption
of normal mental functions seen in the disease.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental ill-ness, which affects thinking,
perceptions, emotions and behaviour. It affects almost 1% of the
population, usually developing in teens and young adults. While the cause
is not known, it appears there may be a genetic susceptibility that can be
triggered by environmental factors including stressful events and some
childhood infections.
Symptoms include loss of contact with reality (psychosis),
hallucinations (false sensations), delusions (false beliefs) and
dis-organized thoughts, speech and behaviour. Sufferers may have negative
internal voices and may believe that others are out to harm them
(paranoia). Some become suicidal. They often appear ‘flat’, non-emotional
and socially withdrawn, and may have trouble with self-care. Memory,
attention and concentration are usually impaired, leading to problems with
school or work.
Unfortunately, around 40% of patients become chronically disabled. Poor
physical health contributes to a life expectancy 9-12 years lower than
that of the general community. However, many diagnosed with schizophrenia
will eventually function reasonably well with support. Modern drugs can
effectively control symptoms with fewer side effects than older
treatments. Early detection and treatment provides the best chance of
recovery. New treatments are currently being investigated and knowledge
about the illness is continually developing.
Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of foot pain
Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that affects up to 10% of
people at some stage, mostly in the 40-60 year age group. Overweight women
are particularly prone to the problem. It is a degenerative (wear and tear)
condition affecting the plantar fascia – a band of thick fibrous tissue
that comes from the calcaneum (the major bone in the heel) and spreads
across the foot to the base of each toe.
Symptoms come on gradually with pain in the heel or along the inside
arch of the foot. The pain is often worse with the first steps in the
morning, then improves with movement but is worse after prolonged standing
or walking.
Treatment usually involves stretches for the plantar fascia, calf
muscles and Achilles tendon. Sometimes orthotics (special shoe inserts to
support and cushion the foot) may help. A night splint, to stop the fascia
tightening up overnight, often helps with morning pain. Anti-inflammatory
medications may also be used. In most cases, recovery takes about 6-12
months.
Myth and Fact
Myth:
I don’t need to tell my doctor about the vitamins or herbal supplements
I take, as they are natural products.
Fact:
Many nutritional supplements and herbal products may contain ingredients
that have an effect on the body (that’s often why they are taken). Certain
ingredients may either change the way the body metabolises drugs or
interact with prescribed medications. Herbal products can vary in purity
and potency and may have unpredicted side effects. Where ingredients are
listed, your doctor can seek advice about possible interactions. Problems
can arise if ingredients are not adequately labelled.
Some known potential side effects of herbal products include:
Ginkgo Biloba – may lead to bleeding problems by blocking blood clotting
mechanisms.
St John’s Wort – interacts with antidepressant medications.
Ginseng – interacts with Warfarin
It is sensible to let your doctor know about anything you are taking –
even if it is ‘all natural’.
If you are taking prescribed medications, it is also important to check
with your doctor before starting any new product that might cause an
interaction.
In Australia, there is a national advisory service for questions about
medicines called the National Prescribing Service Medicines Line – 1300
888 763 (M-F 9am-6pm EST).
To Screen or Not to Screen...
Cervical cancer screening is one of Australia’s success stories. Regular
Pap smears (the test for suspicious cells on the neck of the womb) have
managed to keep our rates of women with advanced forms of this cancer
among the lowest in the world. Despite the introduction of human papilloma
virus vaccine, it will be many years – if ever – before screening will be
unnecessary. In the meantime, at the moment there is room for
improvement.
For example, it is disproportionately younger, more sexually active
women who turn up for their Pap smear when actually, cervical cancer is
more common in older women. In another twist to this ageist theme, people
have also wondered whether it’s worth continuing screening women who’ve
reached 50 and have had repeated negative smears? Maybe they’re unlikely
ever to develop a malignancy.
Well, that notion’s been found to be wanting in a Dutch study following
over 600,000 women – two thirds of whom were in their 30s and early 40s,
one third being over 50, all of whom had at least three normal Pap smears
in the past. The results over ten years showed that while all these women
were at lower than average risk of developing cervical cancer, there was
still a definite chance of it happening and age didn’t matter. Women over
50 had about the same risk of cancer in the future as women in their
30s.
So the conclusion was that repeated negative smears aren’t a reason to
stop screening, particularly if you happen to be over 50.
That might change in the future with testing for the human papilloma
virus – but not yet.
Seek urgent help if you suspect a stroke!
A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain.
This can be caused either by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding from a
burst blood vessel. The most common sign of a stroke is weakness of the
face arm or leg on one side of the body. Other symptoms include sudden
numbness in the face, arm or leg; trouble speaking or understanding
speech, sudden visual problems, sudden confusion, dizziness or loss of
balance.
It is important to seek urgent medical help if a stroke is suspected, as
rapid treatment can minimise damage to the brain. If symptoms only last a
short time, it may be what is known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
This also requires medical assessment as it can be a warning of a potential
stroke.
A quick way of assessing whether someone may have had a stroke is the
‘FAST’ (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) test.
Face – Does the face look lopsided? Can the person smile normally?
Arm – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one of the arms drift
down?
Speech – Does the person’s speech sound strange? Ask them to repeat a
simple phrase. Do they slur the words?
Time – Don’t waste it! Call for urgent assistance and get the person
to
a hospital.
