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Swine Flu Update
'Prevention' better than 'Cure'
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by influenza A. There are four main subtypes (H1N1, H1N2, H3N2 and H3N1) which have been isolated from the pigs. The most recently isolated strain is H1N1. Normally, swine flu viruses do not infect humans. However, the sporadic human infections with this H1N1 have occurred. It is a highly contagious infection and causes a lethal global health problem. First case of swine flu was recorded in Mexico on 18th March 2009. In April 2009, two cases of swine flu were confirmed in children living in California by the official of CDC (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO Director General, Margaret Chan declared a ‘public health emergency of international concern’. Now, swine flu has created a terror effect all around the world and has been declared as epidemic in most of the countries.
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar as in the cases of seasonal influenza. They include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, and some people develop runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Prevention
Change in daily routine
Bhastrika
Step 1: First sit in a comfortable posture with straight spine (Figure 1). Focus on your breathing and relax yourself.
Step 2: Take a deep breath in through both the nostrils till your lungs are full of air and then exhale forcefully making hissing sound.
Step 3: Repeat the same procedure again and perform it for 5 minutes.
Figure 1: Posture during pranayamaKapalbhanti
Step 1: Sit in a comfortable same position.
Step 2: Exhale forcefully through both the nostrils by contracting the abdominal muscles simultaneously without consciously inhaling all the time (inhale as normal).
Step 3: Practice it for at least 5-6 minutes.Anulom Vilom
Step 1: In the same position, close your eyes and relax.
Step 2: Close your right nostril with your right thumb, breathe in from your left nostril and hold the breath for a couple of seconds.
Step 3: Open right nostril and close left nostril with middle and ring finger and breathe out from right nostril.
Step 4: Now breathe in from right nostril, close the right nostril, and then open left nostril and breathe out.
Step 5: Repeat again, and practice it for at least 5-6 minutes.
Maintain hygiene
Immediate measures if the symptoms of flu develop
Related articles
Acknowledgement
I am grateful to Swami Ramdev for giving me inspiration through 'Astha Channel' to write this article.
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Comments posted on 31/08/2009 by Ms. Smita Kachhwaha MSc (Anatomy) from SSR Medical College, Mauritius
Sir, I read your article on swine flu update saying that prevention is better than cure which is really true...best. I liked the home remedies discussed in your article which are readily available in our homes. I must say thanks to you for taking step forward to enlighten each and every one of us to face this health threat. It’s our moral responsibility to come forward and help each other in these difficult times, and make world a healthy and better place to live in.
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