Swine flu does not occur due to eating pork. But, certainly the flu is highly contagious and is spreading throughout the globe. It is believed that swine flu is different from other types of influenza and was not exposed to humans earlier. Because of this there is no drug that can prevent causing H1N1. This is the main reason why elderly people, young children and people who suffer compromised immune systems are advised to be very careful so that they can avert from getting the flu, as the transmission of this disease is from human to human.

Swine flu was renamed as H1N1 to avoid having any direct connection to pigs, however it is identical to some flu and is proving sometimes to be fatal. The outbreak is serious and might become a global concern as many people do not have full immunity to this influenza.

Swine flu virus gets easily spread by touching contaminated surfaces, coughing or sneezing. This can result in fever, headache, cough, sore throat, sneeze, joint or muscle pains. It is strictly suggested that people experiencing any such symptoms should immediately consult their doctors. The symptoms are identical to the standard flu bugs. Swine flu affected people experience initially high fever and extreme fatigue in association with muscle aches. People also at times experience diarrhea and vomiting. Seeking medical attention is a must so that the treatment towards recovery may take place.

Swine flu is recognized after sending the swab sample of nose and throat for testing. It represents a respiratory ailment caused by influenza A. At present time, there is no availability of vaccine, but doctors have confidence on the anti-viral drugs Relenza and Tamiflu to be considered an appropriate treatment. Mostly, people get over swine flu in a few days and those who have suffered this virus will certainly have immunity even in the future to this particular strain. Tamiflu is a popular drug prescribed and helps in preventing and treating influenza type A.

Tamiflu cannot be taken directly without a doctor prescription. Conversely, people suffering with swine flu have to initially go to a doctor and undergo the lab tests. Only with the approval of a doctor and valid prescription, people can buy Tamiflu from licensed drugstores. This medicine can also be purchased over the internet conveniently. The recommendation of the doctor is best followed as the doses for treating and preventing flu varies. Generally, adults are advised to take one capsule two times a day for five days as treatment. On the other hand, the same medicine Tamiflu is taken one capsule everyday for a period of ten days as preventive measure.

Tamiflu is a drug that may cause side effects to patients suffering with swine flu. The side effects caused are vomiting, rash, nausea, lack of sleep and abdominal pain. The patients are advised to take this medication with food so that the intensity of causing side effects is lower. However, besides taking anti-viral medication, it is best to avoid contacts and to use mask. The wise measure is to maintain good personal hygiene as it protects from spreading harmful germs. Also avoiding touching nose, eyes and mouth prevents the risk of spreading germs.

Have you ever heard that the diseases are spreading from eating fruits such as apple, papaya or banana or by eating vegetables? – Well, certainly not.

Are the names such as Bird Flu, Mad Cow disease or SARS familiar – most probably yes, as these were deadly infections or diseases, which had the potential to become a disaster for human health, and all these diseases are directly or indirectly linked with the meat industry.

Now the latest in the series is deadly Swine Influenza a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses.

The Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness in pigs. The recent outbreak of a new strain of swine flu A (H1N1) virus commonly called “swine flu,” and has raised fears in people across the globe.

According to a health official the transmission of the flu was caused by “a type of fly that reproduces in pig waste and that the outbreak was linked to the pig farms.”

Now which food do you think is best for the human health: Vegetarian or Non Vegetarian? Well, it’s not very difficult to analyse though very difficult to accept if you have been brought up in an environment where meat was the obvious food choice in daily life.

If only we can fulfill our dietary requirement through vegetarian food, perhaps human beings can avoid most of the deadly diseases that are spreading across the globe because of eating meat or the meat industry.

To propagate meat products effectively the meat industry uses various kind of misleading ideas such as “if you eat meat you will become stronger” or sometime people ask me “if you don’t eat meat how will you get the protein” and that your body will become weak and so on.

Well, for all those who have a belief system that by eating vegetarian food one will become weak, I would suggest that you please visit the Zoo and have a look at the strongest animals “Elephants”, they only eat vegetarian food.

One can get all kind of nutrients necessary for the human body from vegetarian food and at the same time one can stay healthy.

I cannot overemphasise the point that meat is certainly not good for human health. If you are eating meat regularly, there is a very high possibility that you will gain weight.

Increase in body weight can further lead to many other diseases.

According to American Cancer society, Cancer accounts for nearly one-quarter of deaths in the United States and heart disease accounts for about 27.2% of all deaths in USA. That means heart and cancer related death alone accounted for more than 50 % of all death in USA.

Similarly “One in four (26%) of all deaths in the UK are caused by cancer”. You might be wondering why I am quoting so many statistics about cancer/heart diseases.

The point is that most human body diseases like cancer and heart disease are linked with the food that we eat. If people are eating healthy food then how can more than 50% of deaths be from heart and cancer diseases in the most advanced nations on earth where meat is the obvious food choice in daily life?

Maintaining a healthy body is not complicated rocket science. Our body is made up of food that we eat during our day-to-day life. If our body is not healthy and we are frequently getting deadly viruses and infections then one thing is certain, that the food that we eat is not good.

If you were born into a family that included meat in their daily diet, lack of awareness is natural. You were eating what your parents thought was healthy for you and you were brought up thinking that having a beef burger or ham sandwich is a natural way of living, Now as an adult you have the choice to decide what is healthy for you.

Your right decision would certainly help you to lose weight and have a healthy life forever.

Issued in public interest by Subodh Gupta a holistic health consultant and also the author of the book “7 food habits for weight loss forever”.

Subodh Gupta is a celebrity yoga trainer based in London and conducts Yoga, Nutrition, Stress Management and Weight loss sessions.