H1N1 Disease (Swine Flu): Causes and Treatments

H1N1 Disease (Swine Flu): Causes and Treatments H1N1 disease is also referred to as the swine flu. It is a new kind of influenza which has been causing illness in the society and was first detected in the year 2009 in the United States. It spreads from one individual to another just the way the regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. It is referred to as the swine flu because laboratory tests indicated that the genetic constitution of the virus was similar to the influenza viruses that are normally found in pigs (swine). The general symptoms of this disease include fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, headache, chills, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and runny or stuffy nose. The specific symptoms found in the children includes troubles when breathing, bluish skin color, insufficient intake of fluids, lack of socialization, irritation on the body skin and fever which is accompanied by rashes. The agent cause of the H1N1 is the influenza A virus. This is a negative sense, single-stranded RNA which belongs to the orthomyxoviridae family. According to health officials, swine flu is contagious and its spread in the same way as the seasonal flu (coughing or sneezing). This is because every time a person infected with the swine flu coughs or sneezes, some tiny droplets containing this kind of virus are released into the air. Any person who comes into contact with these droplets is likely to get infected with this disease. Some of the risk factors associated with H1N1 are age and medical conditions. This is because certain age groups and those with prevailing medical conditions are likely to have complications if they are infected with this disease. For example children aged below 5 years and especially those who are below two years are likely to develop flu related complications. People aged 65years and above are also at higher risks of experiencing severe complications from this illnesses compared to the young people. This is because of the fact that human defenses become weaker as a person ages. Another vulnerable group to this H1N1 flu related complication s is the pregnant women. This is because this disease is both dangerous for the mother and the unborn child for its severity can be fatal. The medical conditions which can be complicated by H1N1 influenza infection include people with asthma, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart diseases (congestive heart fa ilure, congenital, coronary artery disease), blood disorders (sick cell anemia), endocrine disorders (diabetes mellitus), kidney disorders, liver disorders, metabolic disorders (mitochondrial and metabolic). Other medical conditions will include the people with a weakened immune system as a result of medication or diseases such as cancer, chronic steroids HIV and AIDS (Cdc.gov 2010). People who experience severe or mild of the earlier mentioned characteristics should visit the public or private health facilities for treatment. There are several drugs which can be used in alleviating the H1N1 flu in people with severe illnesses or risk factors. This includes the antiviral drugs such as the Tami flu and Relenza. There are also monovalent H1N1 virus vaccines which were approved by the FDA in September 2009 (umm.edu 2009). During May last year this disease was viewed as a pandemic by many countries and also by WHO. It is highly respected my many countries because of the effects which it can bring to a countrys population. Many governments perceive this disease as a threat because it is still increasing at an alarming rate as many new countries get infected too. Governments are however fighting the threat of this disease by testing the sample of ill persons and also by shifting the surveillance efforts to reporting and monitoring of trends. H1N1 is a very dangerous disease which spreads very fast because its method of transmissions is very simple. I believe that its the duty of each individual to monitor the mentioned symptoms and then report to the health facilities so as to reduce the opportunistic infections which come with the disease. People should also go for vaccination so that they can reduce the effects of the disease. People who have the risk factors should also visit the health facilities so as to avoid the flu related complications. Countries should step up measures to curbing this surging numbers of cases resulting from the disease. References Cdc.gov. (2010). 2009 H1N1 Flu. Retrieved on 13th February 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm Umm.edu. (2009). H1N1 flu (swine flu) information. Retrieved on 13th February 2010, from http://www.umm.edu/news/swine_flu_qa.htm#9 What is a mortgage? What is a mortgage? Real Estate in Barcelona How to get a Mortgage What is a Mortgage? A mortgage is a loan or lien for a property/house which has to be paid within a specified period of time. It is usually a loan of money. A mortgage is a security for the loan that the lender makes to the borrower. Mortgage has many different shapes and sizes each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Types of Mortgages Fixed rate Mortgage This is suitable for those who prefer to know exactly what their monthly outgoings will be. Discounted Mortgage This type of loan is cheaper in the beginning and allows you to take advantage of any interest rate cuts. But if interest rate rises then your monthly payments will go up. Capped rate Mortgage This mortgage is a combination of fixed and discounted mortgages. Cashback Mortgage This is great for first-time buyers or those on a tight budget or has taken out a loan to use as a deposit for the mortgage. Once if the deal is done, your lender will reimburse a certain proportion of your mortgage loan. This could be as much as a couple of thousand pounds, depending on the lender and the size of the mortgage. Tracker Mortgage This normally follows movements in the base rate set by the Bank of England. Flexible Mortgage This is useful for couples starting a family or for those who are taking time out to study. You have to agree payment holidays with your lender. Taking time off could either increase your repayments later on or prolong your loan period. Tips to get a Mortgage Save a deposit Before getting a mortgage, first thing is to save enough money for a deposit. Financial Advice Think about how you want to repay your mortgage. Most people choose repayment loans also called capital and interest loans where part is paid back every month. By this, the whole loan is repaid at the end of its term. Find a lender Once if you have chosen the type of mortgage and the repayment method, you need to find a lender. How much can you borrow? The lender or mortgage broker will be able to tell you how much you can borrow. This is based on the following three factors Your income Your existing debt The size of your deposit Applying for a Foreign Mortgage in Spain When applying for a mortgage in Spain you need to make sure you have the following things Valid Passport, residence permit or Spanish ID card (NIE) New Building Resale Properties Three last salary slips of yours Three last bank statements of yours Spanish tax declaration for the last financial year (P60 form in UK) or if you are self-employed you need to provide tax slip for the last two years. International Banks with Spanish Mortgages The most straightforward option for a foreign buyer is to look to international banks, many of which have begun to offer special Spanish mortgages due to the large demand from internationals looking to buy in Spain. These are specifically catered to the Spanish housing market and deals with every aspect of translation, lawyers and insurance. Mortgage checklist Save a deposit Think about how much you can afford to pay each month on your mortgage Go through the different types of mortgages available Be prepared to get as much paperwork as possible in advance Always read the small print both on your mortgage and any insurance you intend to buy. It could save you a lot of money in the long run