Some info i'd just like to remember for my IR.

How to win the Cold War
By Dawn Tay
Tue, Nov 18, 2008
my paper

GOT the sniffles? You won't be alone - the peak flu season has arrived in Singapore.

Every year, about 600 Singaporeans die from flu and flu-related complications, says a study done between 1996 and 2002 by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore General Hospital.

World Health Organisation experts believe an influenza epidemic is imminent. They estimate that the pandemic could quickly result in 2 million to 7.4 million deaths globally, overwhelming existing medical facilities and vaccine supplies.


It might also take several months before new vaccines can be developed.

Around one million people worldwide died in the last flu outbreak in 1968.

Unlike in temperate countries, flu is present all year-round in Singapore - with seasonal peaks from November to January, and April to June.

But what can people do to reduce their chances of being hit by the flu bug? my paper finds out from three doctors.

They are Dr Daniel Chan, vice-president of ParkwayHealth Primary Care Network; Dr Clarence Yeo from Killiney Family and Wellness Clinic; and Well Family Clinic and Surgery's Dr Alvin
Wong.

Flu or cold? How does one tell the difference?
Similar symptoms between the two infections create some confusion, but a simple rule of thumb is to measure the severity of the symptoms.

Dr Wong explained: "If you've got a cold and there was a $2 note flying around outside, you'd run out to catch it. If you've the flu, you'd look at it, groan and go back to bed."

If all you have are the sniffles, a cough, and an itchy throat, it's probably a cold. Expect symptoms to disappear after a few days.

Flu symptoms are nastier - like high fevers (39 to 41 deg C), joint and muscle pains, lethargy, coughs and sore throats that can take up to two weeks to clear.

While complications arising from a cold are rather rare, the elderly and young children are vulnerable to developing complications from a flu.

Is it true that there is no cure for colds and flu?
The flu and cold are caused by different families of viruses, which cannot be killed with medication. Only the body's immune system can get rid of the viruses. Doctors use a variety of medicines, such as antibiotics, to treat the symptoms.

Over 200 different viruses can cause colds and there are no vaccines. The most common is the "nose" virus, responsible for around 50 per cent of all colds.

Said Dr Wong: "These cold viruses are in regular flux and change with time. It's impractical and almost impossible to develop vaccines against all of them."

There are three types of flu viruses - type A, B and C. Type A viruses are the most virulent and cause the most severe symptoms in humans.

Are flu vaccines 100 per cent effective?
Most vaccines last up to a year and are not foolproof - those in Singapore are 70- to 80-per-cent effective, said Dr Yeo and Dr Wong.

There are two major types of flu, the "northern" and "southern" strain, which includes the deadly H3N2 - the most predominant strain in Singapore.

Jabs for the northern strain are usually given at the beginning and the end of the year. Jabs for the southern strain, on the other hand, are given in the middle of the year.

Each shot costs around $25 to $30 and is available at selected hospitals, polyclinics and family clinics. The vaccines can cause minor side effects such as soreness and fevers, and - on rare occasions - severe allergic reactions.

Why do I get a slight flu immediately after vaccination?
Said Dr Chan: "Flu vaccines contain a half-dead version of the actual virus and may cause a mini-infection."

This stimulates the body's immune system to fight back. The body will then be able to mount a faster and more effective response to future attacks by real viruses, thus helping to ward off infections.

Do home remedies like vitamin C, garlic and echinacea actually work?
There is no hard evidence that these "natural remedies" can prevent or cure colds and flu.

Said Dr Yeo: "But they help to boost our immune system, which ultimately helps to overcome the virus."

What should I do to avoid catching the flu? And what should I do if my child or I catch it?

Prevention is better than cure.
Said Dr Wong: "As flu strains mutate, keeping up-to-date with annual flu jabs is the best bet against flu."

To keep viruses at bay, build up your immune system with a proper diet and adequate exercise.

Practise good hygiene like washing your hands frequently, sneezing into tissues, and avoiding close contact with people who are ill.

The pressures of everyday life can also weaken the immune system. Some studies show that people suffering from chronic stress come down with more colds and upper-respiratory infections.

Chilly weather also weakens the body's natural immunity, leading to infections.

When down with a cold, drink plenty of fluids and rest. Treat mild symptoms with paracetamol or aspirin, but consult a doctor if they become more severe, or flu-like symptoms develop.

Stay home from work, and keep children at home, away from school, to avoid passing on the bug.

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