Update on AH1N1 or Swine Flu Virus

What is H1N1 (swine flu)?
H1N1 (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in April 2009 in the United States. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of this new influenza A H1N1 virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Do pigs carry this virus and can I catch this virus from a pig?
At this time, there is no evidence that swine in the United States are infected with this new virus. However, there are flu viruses that commonly cause outbreaks of illness in pigs. Most of the time, these viruses do not infect people, but influenza viruses can spread back and forth between pigs and people.

How severe is illness associated with this new H1N1 virus?
It’s not known at this time how severe this virus will be in the general population. CDC is studying the medical histories of people who have been infected with this virus to determine whether some people may be at greater risk from infection, serious illness or hospitalization from the virus. In seasonal flu, there are certain people that are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. This includes young children, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and people 65 and older. It’s unknown at this time whether certain groups of people are at greater risk of serious flu-related complications from infection with this new virus. CDC also is conducting laboratory studies to see if certain people might have natural immunity to this virus, depending on their age.

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No. H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

As of May 20, 2009, how people are affected with this virus?
Based on the latest news from WHO there are now 79 deaths and 9,830 cases of AH1N1 in almost 40 countries around the world.

Is Philippines still free from this virus?
As of today there are no cases of this virus and the Department of Health together with the Department of Foreign Affairs are joining efforts to prevent this virus from coming in in the country.

Paulo Coelho: Veronica Decides to Die

As I was looking at the books in our office, I came accross this nice novel by Paulo Coelho entitled "Veronica Decides to Die".

This book is about a twenty-four year old women named Veronica who seems to have everything--youth and beauty, boyfriends, loving family and fulfilling job. But something is missing in her life. So, one cold November morning, she decides to die by taking a handful of sleeping pills, expecting never to wake up. But she does-- at a mental hospital where she is told that has only days to live.

In this book the reader will quest to find the meaning in a culture overshadowed by angst, soulless routing, and persevere conformity. The author questions the meaning of madness and celebrates individuals who do not fit into patterns society considers normal.

Sometimes we live to the dictate of what the society called normal life, and we tend to forgot that we have our own thoughts and feelings. Our way of life will not depend on other people but based on what we do for ourselves. We have our own prerogative to decide on our own.

Same Sex Marriages Approves in Washington

It was approved recently with a vote of 12 to 1 the resolution approving the same sex marriage in Washington according to a news in BBC.

There are now 4 states that also accepts same sex marriage, they are Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Iowa.

In a Christian Country this marriage is not accepted because of the teachings in the Bible that says God created only two individuals, the men and women.

There is a news recently in Ilocos that a gay and a lesbian got married in Church. They were allowed because technically they are still a man and a women and they now have 5 children.

Crime Scene Investigation(CSI) Season 9 Episode 24: All In

The team of Crime Scene Investigators investigate a string of murders involving valuable poker chips. Detective Langston has to use deadly force for the first time. Find out this thursday, May 14, 2009 at 9:00pm in CBS channel 9.

REGULAR RUNNING: Anti Ageing Exercises

Old age is emminent for all of us...we will deny, fight and even prevent it for as long as we can.

Here are some exercises to prevent anti-ageing:

Regular running may help prevent disability and early death from cancer, , neurological disease, or infections. This is according to the study made by Stanford University School of Medicine. Researchers tracked 1000 runners and non-runners over age 50. After 19 years, 34 percent of non-runners had died, but only 15 percent of the runners had.

What else we need to know:

Warm up and warm down: Warm up first even for a gentle run to achieve a certain level of joint mobility and avoid injuries. Warming down will also help cut down stiffness.

Run tall and breath deeply: Try to get in the habit of running with a straight back to minimize pressure on your diaphragn. Take a deep breath, lift your whole upper body and then hold that position as you run.

Running Time: Only run for as long as you can do so in the correct style. Ass soon as your form gets sloppy, pact it in for a another day.

Cool Sites for Home Based Mothers

http://www.starfall.com/

Teachers around the world use Starfall.com and Starfall high-quality educational products as an inexpensive way to make the classroom more fun and inspire a love of reading and writing.

Parents use Starfall to prepare their children for school, and to support them once they are there. Starfall is an educational alternative to other entertainment choices for children.

Primarily designed for first grade, Starfall is also useful for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and second grade. Starfall is perfect for home schooling. Be sure to visit The Starfall Store for low-cost writing journals and books that parallel this website.

First time mothers and even school teachers can definitely get something useful in this site.

SOME INFORMATIVE WEBSITES

As I was watching "Convergence" in Net 25, a local channel here in the Philippines they features some of the best sites to browse.

Here are some of it...

http://www.zamsar.com/-Zamsar.com is your gateway to sites on the Internet.

http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/- which features recipes for leftover foods to lessen the waste.

http://www.rulesofthumb.org/- advices, rules of life, additional knowledge.

Enjoy browsing!!!

Manny Pacquiao VS Ricky Hatton: Pacman VS Hitman on May 2, 2009

The most awaited fight of Pacman Manny Pacquiao and Hitman Ricky Hatton will commence tomorrow, May 2, 2009 in Las Vegas USA while it is May 3 here in the Philippines.

The whole Philippines will stop again and watch our kababayan and pray for his victory.

There will be malls who will show the fight thru pay per view for a price of P400. Others will show it on their restaurants inclusive of breakfast and drinks.

Despite the swine flu scare there will always be congressman who will go and watch the fight in Las Vegas. Amidst the protest of other people that it will just be a waste of hard earned money.

An ordinary individual who has no money to pay for the cinemas and restaurants will just watch it on their television that will last for 3 hours eventhough the fight is only half hour because of advertisement.

Most of the watchers will have a betting game for as low as P20 to as much as millions.

Whoever wins in this fight, one thing is sure there'll be less crime, less traffic and less people on the streets.