Article first published as Human as Invader of the World of Mocrobes in the Perspective of Swine Flu on Technorati.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other parasites are the primitive inhabitants of this earth, if the Darwin’s theory is correct. Animals, either created from cosmos or from this earth came more likely as invaders to their world. They survived as they struggled for existence and survived as “survival of the fittest’. Every little space in this earth, air and water is full of those bugs. Still animal survives and continuously defend at each moment to survive. Human came last to the earth and chosen many animals to remain along with them for various reasons. Human keep pigs for the purpose of food. In this way they contact diseases from them. This swine flu 2009 pandemic, if at all is the direct consequence of that.
Human defense constantly fights against microbes to keep the person healthy. It is when the defense is overpowered by the invading organism a person suffers from a disease. In case of viruses, particularly the flu virus the defense is very poor to absent as the antigenic character changes frequently. That is why, a vaccine active in one season becomes ineffective in the next season.
It is in the news that pandemic is over. It is alleged that the pandemic is a paper tiger created by some scientists of WHO having a link with the vaccine producing companies and benefited themselves. There is sufficient smoke in it, relying on the report; I quote; “As per the last information available, a total of 76,302 cases of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and 2,054 deaths due to the same have been reported from South-East Asia Region (SEAR) as per information on August 5, 2010”. There might be more deaths from malaria and dengue in each year in countries like India and Africa.
When the incidence of disease is decreasing worldwide it showing a growing trend in India, particularly in an Indian province like Orissa and more affected is the capital city of Bhubaneswar. There is panic buying of masks and vaccines as usual.
It is not the same scenario as 2009, when first the disease appeared and spread. Now effective vaccines are available as well as medications. Vaccination, though can be opted by anybody is not advised for all, primarily should cover the risk groups like medical and paramedical personnel; patients having prior heart disease, asthma, pregnant lady and children etc.
It can be prevented to a larger extent by following simple tricks;
• Avoiding crowded places.
• Confining patients to their place if suspected to be suffering from swine flu and shifting to designated hospitals.
• Washing hands frequently which might have been contaminated and there is likelihood of contaminating one’s own self.
• Using masks to check the spread through droplet; the conglomerate of viral particle, moisture and/or dust in atmosphere; though the size of the virus itself is smaller than the pore size of the common surgical masks.
• Keeping the pigs away from the human habitation and reporting for unnatural deaths among those.
The authorities stress on good practices to remain healthy in the world of bacteria and to protect oneself from the tentacles of swine flu in particular. We are afraid of the spread of this disease in Indian cities because of the conditions of the cities where sanitation is still a luxury.
