The Wildfire That Is H1N1

I mean seriously, H1N1 after its declaration as a pandemic by the WHO, has spread through the whole world like an uncontrollable wildfire. Many cases have been recorded in Malaysia, and you see everyday now in the news that colleges and schools were closed due to the increasing cases of swine flu infection among the students. The symptoms which are somewhat similar to the typical flu and fever makes people even more paranoid. Even I am! I am now feeling slightly unwell, with feverish feeling and I can't help but thinking 'Gosh could it be that I caught a H1Ni virus?' Seriously I hoped that I'm not. I'm too freaked out to go and see a doctor, but so far after a few doses of Paracetamol and a good night sleep (I slept for 12 hours last night! wowww), I think everything is under control (fingers crossed).

Anyway, here is some Q&A about H1N1, courtesy of article by BBC News:

Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1.

H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis.

But this latest version of H1N1 is different: it contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine.

Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a wholly human disease.

It can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing.

Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.

A fever - which is a temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) - is the key symptom, combined with other complaints which may include a cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and aching limbs. Some people with the virus have also reported nausea and diarrhoea.

As with normal flu, the severity of symptoms will depend on treatment and the individual. Many people have only suffered mildly and have begun to recover within a week.

People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms, but they cease to be a risk once those symptoms have disappeared. The incubation period may be as little as two days.

We haven't seen a pandemic of this magnitude since 1968 (according to the records, how should I know, I wasn't even born yet). Apparently the the most devastating outbreaks in human history was the Spanish Flu in 1918. 40% of the world were infected and more than 50million died! That is just some scary shit. But then, according to a statement by WHO, the H1N1; now affecting over 160 countries is still in it s early stage and could continue to spread now, perhaps could infect up to 2 billion people in the next two years! I suggest all of us to limit our outdoor activities, because reading all this is just frightening to the core.

Here's a website which I think is very useful to instill awareness and knowledge about the swine flu. Take good care of yourself...