Thursday, April 30, 2009

Swine Flu Concerns


From Wikipedia

Several complete genome sequences for U.S. flu cases were rapidly made available through the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID).[104][105] Preliminary genetic characterization found that the hemagglutinin (HA) gene was similar to that of swine flu viruses present in U.S. pigs since 1999, but the neuraminidase (NA) and matrix protein (M) genes resembled versions present in European swine flu isolates. The six genes from American swine flu are themselves mixtures of swine flu, bird flu, and human flu viruses.[106][107] While viruses with this genetic makeup had not previously been found to be circulating in humans or pigs, there is no formal national surveillance system to determine what viruses are circulating in pigs in the U.S.[108] The seasonal influenza strain H1N1 vaccine is thought to be unlikely to provide protection.[109]

However, this type of H1N1 Influenza can be treated with Oseltamavir and Relenza. By the this time next week Helix Health of Connecticut will have an adequate stockpile for its patients and employees. We are prepared. Are you?

The Sherpa Says: This genetic "Mongrel" is spreading rapidly and my guess is that the United States Government may be ready. But the towns and states may not be as ready. You can be ready by washing your hands, staying home when you are sick, covering your mouth when you cough and keeping people home who can't do those things. If you have fevers, go to your doctor or to the Emergency Room. But remember, those at highest risk have had contact with those from or returning from Mexico.

8 comments:

♥♥♥♥♥ Jennifer™® ♥♥♥♥♥ said...

your blog is very good

Anonymous said...

This is all you need to do for your patients pre-disease stage:

Do you know how many people die each year from the regular flu? a lot more than who have died from this swine flu. And if you use to much hand sanitizer it actually kills off good bacteria and then you will really get sick. People just need to chill out and be smart like: don't touch your mouth,eyes, face unless you have washed your hands with warm water and soap, get enough sleep, get enough vitamin c, exercise daily...doing all these things will keep you healthier there for able to fight off infection. So everyone stop freaking out its just another flu and we will get through this and yes people may die but people also die from the regular flu every year and no one freaks out and buys 30 days worth of supplies come on be reasonable!

Singed,

N/A

P.S. Most of medicine is having good common sense.

Steve Murphy MD said...

Do you live in NY?
Enough said.

Anonymous said...

What is the talk about being in New York about? What is the point?

Steve Murphy MD said...

@ Anonymous,
Do you watch the news? 51 cases confirmed in NY. Plus several pending cases.....including one my partner just sent in....

-Steve

Anonymous said...

51 cases out of like 8 million people? I guess people who show symptoms of the swine flue (or whatever the new names is now) are going to go to your clinic instead of a "normal" hospital to seek immediate care.

Sorry for being a jerk.

Mayumi said...

N/A: Concentrated alcohol sanitizers kills indiscriminately ---including viruses. It would kill you, too, if you saturated your living tissue in a 60%+ concentration of alcohol.

You're confusing alcohol with antibiotics.

Yes, the "swine flu" is media circus, but its a welcome excuse to enforce proper hand washing, caustic alcohol hand sanitation, proper coughing, and other preventative, minimally invasive illness behavior to minimize the transmission of all communicable diseases.

Chiang Mai said...

H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. Symptoms of swine flu are similar to those caused by other influenza viruses. Health authorities across the globe are taking steps to try to stem the spread of swine flu after outbreaks in Mexico and the United States. The World Health Organization has called it a "public health emergency of international concern."