H1N1 Influenza Virus - Free Essay Example

RUNNING HEAD: H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS 1 H1N1 Influenza Virus 2 H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This virus was first detected in residents of the United States in April of 2009. This virus is contagious and is spreading from person to person worldwide just as seasonal flu viruses spread. According to Up To Date (2009), the month of July in the United States contained 43,000 confirmed cases of H1N1 reported from 55 states and territories. The World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert level to the highest level, phase 6. The characteristics of pandemics are their rapid spread to all parts of the world. According to American Medical Association (H1N1 news, n. d. ), as of November 12, 2009, data from April 2009 through October 17, 2009 indicates that: there is a total of 20 million people became ill with H1N1, 98,000 hospitalized, and 3,900 deaths. In the age group of eighteen years old and younger, eight million people were ill, 53,000 were hospitalized, and there were 540 deaths. Ages 65 and greater had two million ill, 9,000 hospitalized and 440 deaths (n. p. ). This is a growing pandemic that must be prevented from spreading. H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS 3 [pic] Figure. 1 Rate of confirmed and probable cases of pandemic H1N1 influenza A in the United States by age group, April 15 to July 24, 2009. Excludes 6,741 cases with missing ages. Rate/100,000 by single year age groups. Denominator source: 2008 census estimates, US Census Bureau at https://www. census. go/popest/national/asrh/files/NC-EST2007-ALLDATA-R-File24. csv. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www. cdc. gov/h1n1flu/surveillanceqa. htm. Figure 1 shows the age groups most affected by the H1NI virus in the United States. As can be seen, the highest level of reported infections occurred among individuals five to twenty-four years of age followed by individuals who are zero to four years of age. People who are zero to twenty-four years of age are most likely to get the H1N1 infection. According to the American Medical Association (Clinical guidance, n. d. ), the symptoms of the H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of seasonal influenza and may include: †¢ Fever greater than 100. 4( F †¢ Sore throat †¢ Cough †¢ Stuffy nose †¢ Chills †¢ Headache and body aches †¢ Fatigue Some people have reported having diarrhea and vomiting H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS 4 Most people feel better within a week, but some people get pneumonia and other serious illnesses and need to be hospitalized. When this happens, the person may die. The vaccine is the first and most important step in protection against the virus. Vaccination stimulates an immune response using a killed or weaken ed virus that uses the body’s own defense mechanism to prevent infection. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the CDC, (2009), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP) recommends that certain groups of populations receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine first. These groups include: †¢ Pregnant women †¢ People who care for children younger than six months of age †¢ Health care and emergency health services personnel with direct patient contact †¢ Persons between the ages of six months and twenty-four years †¢ People ages of twenty-five to sixty-four years of age who are at risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorder or have a compromised immune system (n. . ). Vaccines that protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu virus are available; however, the initial supply is limited. The ACIP states that when demands for the vaccine for target peoples are fulfilled, the vaccine will be available for all people who want to get vaccinated (CDC, 2009). According to Immunization Action Coalition (Vaccine information statem ents, n. d. ), the federal government is providing the H1N1 vaccine for receipt on a voluntary basis. There are two types of vaccine available. One is live, attenuated intranasal vaccine (LAIV) which is given through the nose. The other one is inactive vaccine which is given as a shot. Children through nine years of age should get two doses of the vaccine about a month apart. Older children and adults only need to get it once. People from two to forty-nine years of age who have long term health problems, are pregnant, and children from six months to two H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS 5 years of age are recommended to have the inactivated vaccine in the form of a shot. The vaccine is prepared in eggs, so people who have a severe allergy to eggs should not take form of the vaccine. There are some concerns about H1N1 vaccine safety. According to AMA (H1N1 vaccination safety, n. d. ), the H1N1 vaccine is as safe as seasonal influenza vaccine. Some common side affects include local reaction at the site like soreness, swelling, and redness. The annual vaccine may cause fever, headache, and vomiting. These systems are mild and last one to two days. Another concern is whether or not seasonal vaccines protect against the H1N1 flu. According to CDC (2009), the answer is no. A third question is if seasonal vaccines and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine can be given at the same time. Inactivated 2009 H1N1 vaccine can be administered at the same time as any other vaccine. Live 2009 H1N1 vaccine can be administered at the same visit as any other live or inactivated vaccine except seasonal live attenuated influenza vaccine (CDC, 2009). Another solution to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus is by educating the community. Community hospitals, schools, churches, and community health centers can play a major role to educate the people. The community could hand out flyers and pamphlets about the H1N1 virus and how to prevent it. Television and radio have high impact on peoples’ lives. By broadcasting educational commercials, panic and frustration might be caused but knowing is better than being ignorant. It will cost money and time to print the papers but it will benefit the community and its health. Media can play a good role to make people aware of H1N1. A third solution to protect from H1N1 infection is to take some general measures that will reduce the risk of getting infected. These measures, according to U. S. News (2009), include hugging a friend instead of kissing them because hugging is less likely to transmit droplets from the nose or mouth. Washing hands frequently (preferably in using sinks that turn on automatically) and using one’s own pen when making purchases is also a good idea to practice because the H1N1 virus can live on surfaces for several hours. H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS 6 Sneezing into one’s elbow, not hands, avoiding hand shakes, and using hand sanitizer will also help to prevent the spread of infection. One should not frequently rub the eyes, nose, or mouth with the hand. Even though all these every day precautions are antisocial, they prevent the spread of germs. These preventive measures are economical and a healthy way to avoid the spread of the infection, until enough vaccines are available so that everyone can get vaccinated. No doubt, the H1N1 virus is causing illness in a significant number of people and the vaccine is the best choice of prevention of the influenza. The problem is that there is only a limited amount of the vaccine. The education of the community is necessary, but it could create panic among the people. The third solution is best in this situation, even though it is antisocial, but it is cost effective and easy to follow until enough vaccine is made and distributed so that everyone can be vaccinated. This is not just one person’s problem. All of the people must collaborate together to help each other to get through this pandemic. Having a cure is much better than going through treatment. Lets all work together to prevent the spread. H1N1 Influenza Virus 7 References American Medical Association. (n. d. ). H1N1 news. Retrieved from https://www. ama-assn. org/ama/pub/h1n1/news. shtml American Medical Association. (n. d. ). Clinical guidance. Retrieved from https://www. ama-assn. org/ama/pub/h1n1/clinical-guidance. shtml American Medical Association. (n. d. ). H1N1 vaccination safety. Retrieved from https://www. ama-assn. org/ama/pub/h1n1/vaccination-information/safety. shtml Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009, November 13). 009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine. Retrieved from https://www. cdc. gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub. htm Epidemiology, clinical manifestation, and diagnosis of pandemic H1N1 influenza. (2009). Retrieved from www. uptodate. com Immunization Action Coalition. (n. d. ). Vaccine information statement. Retrieved from www. immunize. org/vis Kotz, D. (n. d. ). 10 Do’s and Don’ts to Help Protect Yourself from Swine Flu . U. S. News World Report. Retrieved from https://www. usnews. com/listings/avoiding-swine-flu/use-hand-sanitizer H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS

Energy and Enviroment Paper - 825 Words

Energy and Enviroment (Research Paper Sample) Content: Name:Instructor:Course:Date:Energy and EnvironmentIntroductionThe supply and use of energy in the society is fundamental. With an exemption of forests and agriculture, human activities accelerate a radical change to the environment. These human activities are as a result of influence of energy to the society. Locally, energy and environment are concerns because they effect the society. Some of the setbacks bringing effects to the society are; extraction, venomous emissions, and transportation. Therefore, the problems on environment widen regionally and globally causing acid rains and greenhouse effects leading to global warming. These problems have become international debates and issues to be discussed politically (Mohammad Aslam, 2012).Environment and energy is a discipline targeted by natural scientists, technologists and social scientists globally. The purpose is to cover political, economic and social phenomena on issues locally and internationally. Science and t echnology on environment and energy involves conservation of energy. Also, it enhances the relationship of energy systems with the environment in societies. Wider environment and related energy aspects involve the use of wood as fuel leading to deforestation.EnergyAccording to President Barack Obama, the energy strategy for the last century cannot trap the country in the past. An energy strategy is necessary for the future. Therefore, any strategy for the 21st century is to be used as a source of development for American made energy. The goal of all nations is to utilize resources, innovation and technology to develop enough energy. Volatility in gasoline prices should strengthen the urge for innovation. This will help consumers protect their environment and save some money by driving fuel efficient cars (Harper, 2011).Consequently, it is necessary to invent ways of producing clean energy in the future. To be the leading country in the creation of clean energy in the world requires strengthening of the economy. This can be accomplished by inventing future clean technologies and funding research for producing energy. For instance, the United States of America has doubled the capacity of energy production since 2008. This was accomplished by the use of methods such as solar energy, wind mills and geothermal sources. The United States was ranked as the worlds best and leading clean energy technologies investor, outshining Germany and China. This was accelerated by president Obamas decision to eliminate tax breaks that were wasted in the industry of gas and oil, saving $4 billion of American tax payers money (Sequeira, 1998).According to (Elizabeth Mys, 2000), for decades, the government of Canada has known about deaths in Sydney, due to industrial emissions. Instead of trying to curb the effects on the society, the government started building an elementary school, accommodating more than 500 students above the ponds of tar. New generations were born under the sam e toxic environment. The government treated Cape Breton and the Atlantic coastline of Canada like experimental sites.. The government made there a trade between peoples health and the support of industries 100 years ago. In other words, the government decided to let many of its citizen die Canada has so many industrial plants producing energy. The country has regions like Nova Scotia and Ontario, where people are subjected to infection like cancer and birth defects. This is because of emissions such as fluoride from the industries. Politically in Canada, the government does not put much effort in promoting clean energy. EnvironmentEnvironment is made up of everything in the world in which we live. Anything that surrounds everyone regard less of the place is what makes the environment. Environment protection includes protection of the air people breathe, water they drink, and land where they live. The restoration of ecosystems requires reduction of pollution from power plants throug h support from the federal agencies. Thus, for protection of the environment, areas that degrade environment should be the main concerns.Oceans and seas need protection. This is because they are sources of income to the nations economy. In addition, oceans and seas act as recreation facilities and means of transport. For the protection of the waters, disposal of plant waste and the growth of hyacinths that hindering transport should be put into consideration (Harper, 2011).Impacts of change in climate on energy productionMost of the time climates affect the patterns of energy demand. For instance, whenever temperature increases, consumption of electricity increases with an increase in demand for cooling space in the southern part of Europe and the Mediterranean. On the other hand, change in climate affects the production of power. This is because changes in water runoff increase the production of hydropower in the north of Europe and decrease it in the south. Therefore, climatic cha nge affects both consumption and production of energy (Iribarren, 1999).Impacts of energy production on environmentDuring production and processing of energies, emissions produced are pollutants to the environment. This emission brings about climatic changes. This affects all living organism in the ecosystem. For the country to promote sustained economi...