Swine Influenza aka H1N1

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. In the recent outbreak cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1), viruses were first reported in Mexico. Ninety one (9!) cases of swine flu infection have now been reported in the United States and additional cases have been reported internationally.
The CDC has determined that the swine influenza virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people. In addition, it is unclear why the disease is mild in all locations except Mexico. To date, there have been no fatalities and few people requiring hospitalization outside of Mexico. The one current fatality is a Mexican citizen who was being treated in the U.S.
There is increasing concern that this virus will become easily transmissible from person to person, and that a pandemic will occur. The severity of such a pandemic depends upon the virulence of the virus, which is uncertain at this time. A pandemic is a global disease outbreak that affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. The H1N1 virus is a likely candidate to cause the next pandemic, although no one can predict with certainty that a pandemic will occur.
Human vaccines for the virus that causes swine flu have not been developed. There is no evidence that the individuals who received the seasonal flu vaccine have immunity to swine flu. Two anti-viral medications, Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir), have been shown to be effective in treating swine flu.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Definition

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints, resulting in substantial loss of mobility and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic, meaning it often affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body, such as the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs and muscles.


Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis
One of the most common symptoms of RA is daily joint pain. Most patients also experience some degree of depression and anxiety, which can impact functional status and quality of life.

Other symptoms include:

* Morning stiffness in and around the joints
* 3 or more joint areas with simultaneous soft tissue swelling or fluid
* Swollen joint areas in the wrist, knuckle or middle joint of the finger
* Fatigue, which can be severe during a flare-up
* General sense of not feeling well (malaise)

Although RA is traditionally a chronic disease, it tends to vary in severity, alternating between flare-ups and remission.

Causes and Risk Factors of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Doctors do not know why people develop RA, but it is believed to be the body's immune system attacking the tissue that lines a person's joints. More than 2 million people in the U.S. have RA. It is two to three times more common in women than men and typically develops between the ages of 20 and 50.

While RA itself is not inherited, what can be inherited are the genes that may make someone more likely to develop the disease. Although scientists believe it is unlikely that genes alone bring about RA, research continues to study the role genes play in the development of the disease. In addition to genetics, recent research suggests that RA may also be caused by environmental and hormonal factors.

Other factors that increase the risk of RA include:

* Getting older, incidences of RA increase with age
* Being female
* Heredity, a predisposition to RA runs in some families
* Smoking cigarettes over a long period of time

Doctors also believe that certain infections or factors in the environment may cause the immune system to attack the body's own tissues, resulting in inflammation in various organs of the body such as the lungs or eyes.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
While your family doctor may be able to diagnose your symptoms, only a qualified physician can diagnose you with RA. If you think you have RA, have your doctor refer you to a rheumatologist, a doctor specializing in managing conditions involving joints, muscles and bones. It is important to diagnose RA early, and patients should start aggressive treatment as soon as possible. However, proper treatment can greatly improve the quality of a person's life.

The cure for RA still remains unknown, but the main goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, especially pain, as well as slow progression of the disease and prevent disability. Doctors may suggest a variety of treatment options to improve symptoms, such as medicines, therapies, procedures and lifestyle changes.

If you have been experiencing daily joint pain or any other symptoms of RA, it is best to schedule an appointment with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

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