The 2nd victim of influenza A H1N1 for our country emerged yesterday. She is a friend of the 1st victim. Both board the flight from Stockholm n reached KLIA on 13rd May. The 21 years old female has been tested positive and warded at Penang Hosp. The worrying part is that woman had come in contact 
with public since she headed her way to Penang from KLIA. Some people included her family who had closely came in contact with the young woman had been quarantined. How serious is influenza A H1N1 going to swipe us? Fortunately right now everything is still under control. I felt a bit relieved to a senior lecturer at UPM's statement, Dr Ooi Peck Tong by urging us not to panic over this not deadly virus. He stated that influenza A H1N1 is not a deadly virus but it spreads fast n its morbidity is high. However there is still uncertainty of the potential of the virus to mutate. Still now, there are more than 8k cases with 66 deaths worldwide. Commonly, normal flu killed between 250k to 500k people worldwide a year. So far, influenza A appears as mild as normal flu, meaning if it does go global there probably won't be millions of deaths. In Malaysia the strain of the virus in victims seems relatively mild compared to in Mexico. But people still in fear that in case second wave could occur and be more deadly. The virus strain actually could be more violent and resistance toward vaccine whenever it evolve new gene or mutate just like Spanish flu. *sigh*It sounds pathetic right over the facts. Me myself does not know that normal flu is a deadly killer before. Ermm.. Maybe I still confused between common cold and flu. Ok it's time to do a lil bit of research *wink*
The common cold eventually fizzles but the flu may be deadly. The flu is a viral infection caused by influenza virus. Fever and cough are the most common symptoms followed by chills, severe headache and muscle discomfort. In serious case, flu can cause pneumonia (inflam
mation of the lungs) and can be fatal. Meanwhile, the common cold is also a viral infection but caused by picornavirus or corona virus. Cold tends to produce runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing and regularly accompanied by headache, fatigue and muscle ache. Normally, flu causes epidemics (restricted to an outbreak) and pandemics (spread through large region) whereas common cold is simply just a nuisance to us.
Rewind back the history, our world actually did undergo so many pandemics through centuries. Some of the highlight pandemics in 20th century were: ' In 1918, Spanish flu spread to nearly every part of the world killed up to 50 million to 100 million people worldwide from March 1918 to June 1920. The second wave of the 1918 pandemic was much deadlier than the first. During the first wave, which began in early March, the epidemic resembled typical flu epidemics. Those at the most risk were the sick and elderly, and younger, healthier people recovered easily. But in August, when the second wave began, the virus mutated to a much deadly form. ' Asian flu broke out in early 1956 lasting until 1958. It originated from China. The virus came from mutated wild ducks combining with a pre-existing human strain. The total worldwide deaths ranging from 1 million to 4 million. ' Hong Kong flu's first record of outbreak was on 13 July 1968. This pandemic of 1968 and 1969 killed an estimated one million people worldwide.
Foremost of all, we should watch out our body. Do exercise regularly and eat a healthy meal. In fact, strengthening the immune system can decrease the risk of getting a cold or flu. These are few basic tips to keep our immune system, strong and healthy. Not always but what else can we doright? < Get plenty of sleep < Eat nutritious food
< Wash hands < Keep stress levels low < Avoid crowds during flu season < Limit air travel
References : NST May 17, Wikipedia, Health & Beauty Mar 2009
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