Bird Flu: Who Is at Greatest Risk of Dying?

Avian influenza or �bird flu� has now caused more than 60 deaths worldwide, with the most recent epidemic in Indonesia, where four people have died. On a global basis, 60 deaths are not very many. So why are health experts becoming alarmed about the H5N1 (�bird flu�) virus? People are concerned because the virus has demonstrated the ability to kill a high percentage of the humans it infects. In addition, it has spread from birds to many other species, which is very uncharacteristic of viruses. The spread of infection in birds increases the opportunities for direct infection of humans. If more humans become infected over time, the likelihood also increases that humans, if concurrently infected with human and avian-influenza strains, could serve as the �mixing vessel� for the emergence of a novel subtype�with sufficient human genes to be easily transmitted from person to person. Once the virus acquires the capability to �go human,� an influenza pandemic (that is, a worldwide epidemic) would likely ensue in a matter of weeks. To date, the vast majority of infections of bird flu in humans have been acquired by close contact with domestic poultry. However, there is one documented case of human-to-human transmission in Thailand. It remains a curious fact that most people who have worked with poultry infected with the bird-flu virus, culling infected birds for example, have not become infected�a fact that no one seems able to adequately explain. The antigenic changes (that is, changes in the exterior proteins�Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase) in bird and human influenza viruses go on year after year. Annual influenza outbreaks typically do not cause severe illness and death, because people have built up natural immunity to the viruses over a period of years. Rapid spread of H5N1 viruses between humans, on the other hand, will led to explosive global expansion in which everyone is at risk for infection, illness, and death because of a complete lack of natural immunity to the virus. Because avian influenza or �bird flu� is much more deadly than the regular annual flu in humans, coupled with the high infectiousness of influenza viruses in general, a bird-flu pandemic is potentially very deadly, causing many tens�or even hundreds�of millions of deaths across the globe. In September 2005, Dr. David Nabarro of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, �A new pandemic would claim between 5 million and 150 million people.� Once a flu pandemic starts, everyone will be at risk of getting pandemic flu, because no one has natural immunity to the virus. However, certain groups may be at greater risk of dying than others. There are strong indications that the coming bird-flu pandemic may be similar to the influenza pandemic of 1918 and, if so, healthy adults would be most at risk of dying, along with pregnant women and the elderly. Why are healthy adults at greatest risk? It appears that the H5N1 bird-flu virus causes a massive immunological response against the virus in those with the strongest immune systems. Unfortunately, this causes the release of human enzymes called �cytokines,� which destroy lung cells along with viral particles. This, in turn, causes a deadly outpouring of fluids into the lung, which interferes with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This reaction is frequently fatal. There are few effective treatments�one of the only treatments available is to place the patient on a ventilator, a mechanical respirator. Even with this treatment, patients often die from complications.

Acid Reflux Drugs and Antacids Are Killing You

Doctors and Pharmaceutical giants know that their drugs and antacids do not cure heartburn or acid reflux. They have known for a long time that their drugs simply suppress the condition and continue the cycle of heartburn, acid reflux, and drugs. If you have fallen prey to this medical cycle, for sure you are headed toward serious malnutrition. The inability to feed your body the nutrients it needs will result in the diseases that you now see in most elderly people. Because your mouth and stomach are the first step in getting nutrients into your body, you don't want to get this step wrong. If you are taking Prevacid, Prilosec, Aciphex, Protonix, Nexium, or even antacid, its time you re-evaluated the use of these drugs. Fact1: Your stomach is designed to have a pH of 3.0 or less, more acidic Fact 2: When you stomach pH is consistently higher than 3.0, more alkaline, you create disease Fact 3: Taking heartburn or reflux drugs or antacids raises and keeps your stomach pH above 3.0 and higher. When your stomach has the proper pH, it digests your food so that, The meat you eat is broken down into amino acids that you absorb later Vitamins are created from the food you eat Vitamins are separated out from the food you eat Minerals are kept in solution for later absorption Stomach digested food moves into the duodenum at the proper pH level and triggers digestive juices from the pancreas and gallbladder. Bacteria overgrowth is prevented and eliminates their interference with the absorption of vitamin B-12 When your stomach pH gets higher than 3.0, It secretes more acid to keep its pH below 3.0. When heartburn or acid reflux medication interferes with stomach acid by raising it pH above 3.0, the stomach is no longer functioning like a stomach. It is now creating chemical combinations that are not usable by your body. What it now produces is affecting the function of subsequent processes in the duodenum and colon. It causes these body organs to malfunction and they fail to digest and absorb the nutrients from the food you ate. The cascade effect of a stomach with a high pH over a long period of time results in numerous ill conditions that are not traceable to an inefficient stomach. So it's your job is to keep your stomach's pH at the proper level and look to solve your heartburn and acid reflux issues using natural remedies. If your condition, has evolved into GERD then you may have to consult a doctor or an alternative practitioner to recover from this disease.

3 Serious Concerns About Hygiene in Public Restrooms Revealed in Survey

In a study by Kimberly-Clark Professional, 39% of survey respondents feared picking up germs in a pub-2403258503801684lic restroom more than any other place. Is there good reason for the fear or are people overly concerned? Can you reduce the risks? WHAT'S IN THERE - CAN IT HURT YOU? Without getting too specific, there are many germs that can thrive in restrooms. Bacteria live off of moisture and organic food (or waste)- which can be plentiful in pub-2403258503801684lic restrooms. Fears of contacting STD's (sexually transmitted diseases) from a pub-2403258503801684lic washroom have more to do with the fear of the disease than the likelihood of picking it up in a washroom. Many of these bacteria and viruses do not live long enough outside the body to be easily transmitted. However, some experts admit there is a theoretical risk of herpes or crabs being contracted under certain - but unlikely - conditions. Some pub-2403258503801684lic facilities provide flushable toilet seat covers, antibacterial cleansers or you can line the seat with toilet paper. Of greater concern are salmonella and shigella bacteria which can be transferred by contact with feces. The infected person can transmit the bacteria on their hands which can then be transferred to flushing handles, door handles and faucets. RESTROOM HYGIENE - BATTLING BACTERIA Foul odors, lack of supplies and puddles on the floors can all be signs of improper maintenance. Odor that comes from pub-2403258503801684lic washrooms can be caused by urine in tile grouting. If the floors aren't properly cleaned daily (or more) then the uric acid salts will not be removed with regular cleansers. These salts provide a food source for bacteria whose digestive processes give off the foul odor. Products like MicroGuard (tm) from AllDura and even stainless steel can reduce the maintenance required to keep bacteria growth to a minimum. A lack of supplies (toilet paper, hand drying towels or soap) can also increase the unhygienic conditions of a restroom. Overly crowded restrooms can suffer from a lack of supplies or a lack of available sinks, soap dispensers or dryers. PERSONAL HYGIENE - THE MAGIC WEAPON It is the simple truth that hand washing will drastically cut the chance for germ transference. A study done by Scott Papers found that more than nine out of ten respondents claimed to wash their hands when using pub-2403258503801684lic restrooms. However, only 67% were actually observed doing so. As manufacturers of paper products, including towels, the company also states that drying hands thoroughly is imperative in practicing proper hygiene. The moisture left on hands can still carry bacteria. Because of this, air drying machines may not be enough protection since many individuals do not use them long enough to thoroughly dry their hands. The knowledge that proper washing and drying can protect you from even unsavory pub-2403258503801684lic restrooms is comforting. The fact that pub-2403258503801684lic washrooms still need to provide the basics for good hygiene, as well as good maintenance is something that needs work. Carrying an antibacterial gel for emergency use is recommended when visiting a pub-2403258503801684lic area. The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.