THE DISEASES THAT CAUSED BY PANDEMICS

ASIAN FLU
Definition- a form of epidemic influenza caused by a virus believed to have been carried from Asia in the late 1950s.

Treatment:

Precautions :
avoid poultry farms or markets avoid close contact with live or dead poultry refrain from eating raw or poorly cooked poultry or poultry products, including blood wash hands frequently with soap and water

Symptoms :
cough Fever sore throat muscle aches

Rest drinking plenty of fluids combined with proper nutrition medications to help treat fever and pain such as aspirin and paracetamol (aspirin should not be taken by children under the age of 16) Antibiotics

SARS
Definition
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness in human caused by a coronavirus, called SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. The illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained.

Symptoms
Initial symptoms are flu-like and may include fever, myalgia, lethargy symptoms, cough, sore throat and other nonspecific symptoms. The only symptom common to all patients appears to be a fever above 38 C (100 F). Shortness of breath may occur later. The patient has symptoms as with a cold in the first stage, but later on they resemble influenza.

Treatment
Treatment of SARS so far has been largely supportive with antipyretics, supplemental oxygen and ventilation support as needed. Suspected cases of SARS must be isolated, preferably in negative pressure rooms, with complete barrier nursing precautions taken for any necessary contact with these patients.

Prevention
The World Health Organization (WHO) set up a network for doctors and researchers dealing with SARS, consisting of a secure web site to study chest X-rays and a teleconference. Attempts were made to control further SARS infection through the use of quarantine. Over 1200 were under quarantine in Hong Kong, while in Singapore and Taiwan, 977 and 1147 were quarantined, respectively. Canada also put thousands of people under quarantine. In Singapore, schools were closed for 10 days and in Hong Kong they were closed until 21 April to contain the spread of SARS.

HONG KONG FLU

Definition: A pandemic of influenza A (H3N2) in 1968-69. This virus was first detected in Hong Kong in early 1968 and spread to the United States later that year. where it caused about 34,000 deaths, making it the mildest pandemic in the 20th century. Also known as Hong Kong influenza.

SYMPTOM: Like most strains of influenza, the Hong Kong flu is frequently confused with the common cold until the symptoms worsen or last longer than a week. The most common symptoms are high fever, joint pain, runny nose, severe cough, lack of energy, and eye irritation. The symptoms usually reach a level of severity that will cause you to become bed ridden for up to two weeks. Prevention/Solution The most effective way to avoid becoming infected is to stay away from schools or other places with large gatherings of people during outbreaks. You can also get a vaccination from your physician during the beginning of flu season. If you do become infected it is important that you always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough as the virus is spread between humans through particles called aerosols which are expelled through your mouth and nose.

Considerations The Hong Kong Flu can be just as deadly as any other strain of influenza. The Center For Disease Control estimates that about 36,000 people a year die from influenza. Hong Kong flu is also highly contagious so you should remain at home if you become infected. It is more likely to both infect and cause death in the elderly, children, or people with chronic illness. Because the Hong Kong Flu is a virus it cannot be treated by antibiotics.

NEW DISEASE H7N9 DEFINITION

H7N9 is a subtype of the species Influenza virus A (avian influenza virus or bird flu virus).
China reported three cases of people infected by H7N9 virus on February 20, 2013. Two men ages 27 and 87 were reported to have died of H7N9 infections in Shanghai on April 2, 2013. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health of China received notification from the National Health and Family Planning Commission (the Commission) on March 31, 2013 concerning three confirmed human cases of influenza A (H7N9).

Symptoms
Symptoms that are like human flu, such as fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches, conjunctivitis, pneumonia and other severe respiratory diseases.

Prevention
No definitive vaccine against the viral threat is available, because no one knows the precise shape that it will take after mutating to the feared highly contagious form. Therefore the only prevention is to avoid going to outbreak area or come in contact with poultry as it is one of the new strain of bird flu.

THE END