Sore Throat

Sore Throat
Sore throat refers to the inflammation of the pharynx, or back of the throat. It occurs frequently
when a person has a cold or an attack of influenza. This inflammation may also involve the
tonsils and adenoids if these have not already been removed. An irritating condition of the throat
may range from the harmless to the potentially serious.
Symptoms
In case of acute sore throat, the patient complains burning and dryness in the throat followed by
chills, fever and some hoarseness or laryngitis. The lymph glands along the sides of the neck
may become swollen and tender. The back of the throat may become very red and even
covered with a greyish-white membrane. The patient may find difficulty in swallowing, especially
during the acute stage. There may also be postnasal discharge if the irritation has spread to the
nasal passages. The patient with sore throat, caused by ‘ Streptoccal’ germs suffers from high
fever and sharp pain with swelling.
Causes
Sore throat is mainly caused by bacteria or a viral infection. Many different kind of ailments can
give rise to this condition. The most common of these ailments are common cold and influenza.
Other diseases which can cause sore throat are tonsillitis, mumps, sinusitis, measles, and
diphtheria. Even leukemia on rare occasions may lead to sore throat. Other causes of this
disease are excessive smoking and talking, frequent use of voice as in certain professions like
singing, acting and teaching.
Treatment
The patient suffering from sore throat should fast on orange juice and water for three to five
days, depending on the severity of the condition. He should take orange juice diluted with warm
water every two or three hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this period. The bowels should be
cleansed daily with warm water enema. This should be done twice daily in more serious cases.
A wet pack should be applied to the throat at two-hourly intervals during the day, and also one at
night. The procedure is to wring out some linen material in cold water, wrap two or three times
round the effected part, and cover with some flanner. The throat may be gargled several times
with warm water mixed with a little salt. A hot Epsom-salt bath , taken daily during this period,
will be highly beneficial.
When the more severe symptoms subside,the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet for three or four
further days, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits such as orange, apple, pineapple and
papaya at five-hourly intervals. Thereafter he may gradually adopt a well-balanced diet, with
emphasis on seeds, nuts and grains, raw vegetables and fresh fruits. The daily dry friction and
deep breathing and other exercises should form part of the daily health regimen.
Home Remedies
Certain home remedies have been found to be beneficial in the treatment of sore throat. One
such remedy is use of mango ( aam) bark which is very efficacious in sore throat and other
throat disorders. Its fluid can be applied locally with beneficial results. It can also be used as a
throat gargle. This gargle is treated by mixing 10 ml. of the fluid extract with 125 ml. of water.
The herb belleric myrobian ( bahera) is another valuable remedy for sore throat. A mixture of the
pulp of the fruit, salt, long pepper (pipli) and honey should be administered in the treatment of
this condition. The fried fruit, roasted after covering it with a wheat flour, is also a popular
remedy for sore throat.
Betel leaves (pan - ka -patta) have proved beneficial in the treatment ofthis disease. The leaves
should be applied locally for obtaining relief. The fruit of the betel tree, mixed with honey, can
also be taken beneficially to relieve irritating throat cough.

The bishop’s weed (ajowan) is valuable in treating sore throat. An infusion of the seeds mixed
with common salt can be used beneficially as a gargle in acute condition caused by colds. The
spice cinnamon (dalchini) is also regarded as an effective remedy for sore throat, resulting from
cold. Coarsely powdered and boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder and
honey, it can be taken as a medicine in the treatment of this condition. The oil of cinnamon,
mixed with honey, also gives immense relief. A gargle prepared from fenugreek (methi) seeds
has been found very effective remedy for treating sore throat. To prepare this gargle, two
tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be put in a litre of cold water and allowed to simmer for
half an hour over a low flame. It should be allowed to cool to a bearable temperature. It should
then be strained and entire quantity used as a gargle.
The leaves of the holy basil ( tulsi) have also been found beneficial in the treatment of this
condition. The water boiled with basil leaves should be taken as a drink and also used as a
gargle in sore throat.
The patient should avoid rapid changes in temperature like hot sun-shine to air conditioned
rooms. He should avoid cold and sore foods which may irritate his throat. To prevent the
disease, a person should avoid touching tissues, handkerchief, towels or utensils used by the
patients suffering from sore throat.

Baths and its Types

Therapeutic Baths
Water has been used as a valuable therapeutic agent since time immemorial. In all major
ancient civilizations, bathing was considered an important measure for the maintenance of
health and prevention of disease. It was also valued for its remedial properties. The ancient
Vedic literature in India contains numerous references to the efficacy of water in the treatment of
disease.
In modern times, the therapeutic value of water was popularised by Vincent Priessnitz, Father
Sebastian Kneipp, Louis Kuhne and other European water-cure pioneers. They raised water
cure to an institutional level and employed it successfully for the treatment of almost every
known disease. There are numerous spas and "Bads" in most European countries where
therapeutic baths are used as a major healing agent.
Water exerts beneficial effects on the human system. It equalises circulation, boosts muscular
tone and aids digestion and nutrition. It also tones up the activity of perspiratory gland and in the
process eliminates the damaged cells and toxic matter from the system.
The common water temperature chart is : cold 100C to 180C, neutral 320C to 360C and hot 400C
to 450C. Above 450C, water loses its therapeutic value and is destructive.
The main methods of water treatment which can be employed in the healing of various diseases
in a do-it-yourself manner are described below.
ENEMA
Also known as rectal irrigation, an enema involves the injection of fluid into the rectum. In nature
cure treatment, only lukewarm water is used for cleaning the bowels. The patient is made to lie
on his left side extending his left leg and bending the right leg slightly. The enema nozzle,
lubricated with oil or vaseline, is inserted in the rectum. The enema can containing the lukewarm
water is then slowly raised and water is allowed to enter into the rectum. Generally, one to two
litres of water is injected. The patient may either lie down on his back or walk a little while
retaining the water. After five to 10 minutes, the water can be ejected along with the
accumulated morbid matter.
A warm water enema helps to clean the rectum of accumulated faecal matter. This is not only
the safest system for cleaning the bowels, but also improves the peristaltic movement of the
bowels and thereby relieves constipation. A cold water enema is helpful in inflammatory
conditions of the colon, especially in cases of dysentery, diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis,
haemorrhoids and fever. A hot water enema is beneficial in relieving irritation due to
inflammation of the rectum and painfull haemorrhoids. It also benefits women in leucorrhoea.
COLD COMPRESS
This is a local application using a cloth which has been wrung out in cold water. The cloth should
be folded into a broad strip and dipped in cold water or ice water. The compress is generally
applied to the head,neck, chest, abdomen and back. The cold compress is an effective means of
controlling inflammatory conditions of the liver, spleen, stomach, kidneys, intestines, lungs,
brain, pelvic organs and so on. It is also advantageous in cases of fever and heart disease. The
cold compress soothes dermities and inflammations of external portions of the eye. When the
eyeball is affected, the cold compress should follow a short fomentation.
HEATING COMPRESS
This is a cold compress covered in such a manner as to bring warmth. A heating compress
consists of three or four folds of linen cloth wrung out in cold water which is then covered
completely with dry flannel or blanket to prevent the circulation of air and help accumulation of
body heat. It is sometimes applied for several hours. The duration of the application is

determined by the extent and location of the surface involved, the nature and thickness of the
coverings and the water temperature. After removing the compress , the area should be rubbed
with a wet cloth and then dried with a towel. A heating compress can be applied to the throat,
chest, abdomen, and joints. A throat compress relieves sore throat, hoarseness, tonsillitis,
pharyngitis and laryngitis. An abdominal compress helps those suffering from gastritis,
hyperacidity, indigestion, jaundice, constipation, diarrhoea, dysentery and other ailments relating
to the abdominal organs. The chest compress also known as chest pack, relieves cold,
bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, fever, cough and so on, while the joints compress is helpful for
inflamed joints, rheumatism, rheumatic fever and sprains.
HIP BATHS
The hip bath is one of the most useful forms of hydrotherapy. As the name suggests, this mode
of treatment involves only the hips and the abdominal region below the navel. A special type of
tub is used for the purpose. The tub is filled with water in such a way that it covers the hips and
reaches upto the navel when the patient sits in it. Generally, four to six gallons of water are
required. If the special tub is not available, a common tub may be used. A support may be
placed under one edge to elevate it by two or three inches. Hip bath is given in cold, hot, neutral
or alternate temperatures.
COLD HIP BATH
The water temperature should be 100C to 180C. The duration of the bath is usually 10 minutes ,
but in specific conditions it may vary from one minute to 30 minutes. If the patient feels cold or is
very weak, a hot foot immersion should be given with the cold hip bath.
The patient should rub the abdomen briskly from the navel downwards and across the body with
a moderately coarse wet cloth. The legs, feet and upper part of the body should remain
completely dry during and after the bath. The patient should undertake moderate exercise like
yogasanas, after the cold hip bath, to warm the body.
A cold hip bath is a routine treatment in most diseases. It relieves constipation, indigestion,
obesity and helps the eliminative organs to function properly. It is also helpful in uterine
problems like irregular menstruation, chronic uterine infections, pelvic inflammation, piles,
hepatic congestion, chronic congestion of the prostate gland, seminal weakness, impotency,
sterility, uterine and ovarian displacements, dilation of the stomach and colon, diarrhoea,
dysentery, hemorrhage of the bladder and so on. The cold hip bath should not be employed in
acute inflammations of the pelvic and abdominal organs, ovaries and in painful contractions of
the bladder, rectum or vagina.
HOT HIP BATH
This bath is generally taken for eight to 10 minutes at a water temperature of 400C to 450C. The
bath should start at 400C. The temperature should be gradually increased to 450C. NO friction
should be applied to the abdomen. Before entering the tub,the patient should drink one glass of
cold water. A cold compress should be placed on the head. A hot hip bath helps to relieve
painful menstruation, pain in the pelvic organs, painful urination, inflamed rectum or bladder and
painful piles. It also benefits enlarged prostatic gland, painful contractions or spasm of the
bladder, sciatica, neuralgia of the ovaries and bladder. A cold shower bath should be taken
immediately after the hot hip bath.
Care should be taken to prevent the patient from catching a chill after the bath. The bath should
be terminated if the patient feels giddy or complains of excessive pain.
NEUTRAL HIP BATH
The temperature of the water should be 320C to 360C. Here too, friction to the abdomen should
be avoided. This bath is generally taken for 20 minutes to an hour. The neutral hip bath helps to
relieve all acute and sub-acute inflammatory conditions such as acute catarrh of the bladder and
urethra and subacute inflammations in the uterus, ovaries and tubes. It also relieves neuralgia of
the fallopian tubes or testicles, painful spasms of the vagina and prorates of the anus and vulva.
Besides, it is a sedative treatment for erotomanis in both sexes.

ALTERNATE HIP BATH

This is also known as revulsive hip bath. The temperature in the hot tub should be 400C to 450C
and in the cold tub 100C to 180C. The patient should alternately sit in the hot tub for five minutes
and then in the cold tub for three minutes. The duration of the bath is generally 10 to 20 minutes.
The head and neck should be kept cold with a cold compress. The treatment should end with a
dash of cold water to the hips.
This bath relieves chronic inflammatory conditions of the pelvic viscera such as salpingitis,
ovaritis, cellulitis and various neuralgias of the genito-urinary organs, sciatica and lumbago.
SPINAL BATH
The spinal bath is another important form of hydrotherapic treatment. This bath provides a
soothing effect to the spinal column and thereby influences the central nervous system. It is
given in a specially designed tub with its back raised so as to provide proper support to the
head. The bath can be administered at cold, neutral and hot temperatures. The water level in the
tub should be an inch and a half to two inches and the patient should lie in it for three to 10
minutes.
The cold spinal bath relieves irritation, fatigue, hypertension and excitement. It is beneficial in
almost all nervous disorders such as hysteria, fits, mental disorders, loss of memory and
tension. The neutral spinal bath is a soothing and sedative treatment, especially for the highly
strung and irritable patient. It is the ideal treatment for insomnia and also relieves tension of the
vertebral column. The duration of this bath is 20 to 30 minutes. The hot spinal bath, on the other
hand, helps to stimulate the nervous, especially when they are in a depressed state. It also
relieves vertebral pain in spondylitis and muscular backache. It relieves sciatic pain and
gastrointestinal disturbances of gastric origin.
FULL WET SHEET PACK
This is a procedure in which the whole body is wrapped in a wet sheet, which in turn is wrapped
in a dry blanket for regulating evaporation. The blanket should be spread on the bed with its
edges hanging over the edge of the bed. The upper end should be about eight inches from the
head of the bed. Then spread a linen sheet wrung out in cold water over the blanket so that its
end is slightly below the upper end of the blanket. The patient should lie on the bedsheet with his
shoulders about three inches below the upper age. The wet sheet should be weekly wrapped
round the body of the patient, drawn in, tightly tucked between the legs and also between the
body and the arms. The sheet should be folded over the shoulders and across the neck. Now
the blanket should be drawn tightly around the body and tucked in along the side in a similar
manner, pulling it tightly. The ends should be doubled up at the feet. A turkish towel should be
placed below the chin to protect the face and neck from coming into contact with the blanket and
to exclude outside air more effectively. The head should be covered with a wet cloth so that the
sculp remains cold. The feet should be kept warm during the entire treatment. If the patient’s feet
are cold, place hot water bottles near them to hasten reaction. The pack is administered for half
an hour to one hour till the patient begins to perspire profusely. He may be given cold or hot
water to drink.
This pack is useful in cases of fever especially in typhoid and continued fevers, and benefits
those suffering from insomnia, epilepsy and infantile convulsions. It is useful in relieving chronic
cold and bronchitis and helps in the treatment of rheumatism and obesity.
HOT FOOT BATHS
In this method, the patient should keep his or her legs in a tub or bucket filled with hot water at a
temperature of 400C to 450C. Before taking this bath, a glass of water should be taken and the
body should be covered with a blanket so that no heat or vapour escapes from the foot bath.
The head should be protected with a cold compress. The duration of the bath is generally from 5
to 20 minutes. The patient should take a cold shower immediately after the bath.
The hot foot bath stimulates the involuntary muscles of the uterus, intestines, bladder and other
pelvic and abdominal organs. It also relieves sprains and ankle joint pains, headaches caused
by cerebral congestion and colds. In women, it helps restore menstruation , if suspended, by
increasing supply of blood especially to the uterus and ovaries.

COLD FOOT BATH

Three to four inches of cold water at a temperature of 7.20C to 12.70C should be placed in a
small tub or bucket. The feet should be completely immersed in the water for one to five
minutes. Friction should be continuously applied to the feet during the bath, either by an
attendant or by the patient by rubbing one foot against the other.
A cold foot bath, taken for one or two minutes,relieves cerebral congestion and uterine
hemorrhage. It also helps in the treatment of sprains, strains and inflamed bunions when taken
for longer periods. It should not be taken in cases of inflammatory conditions of the
genito-urinary organs, liver and kidneys.
STEAM BATH
Steam bath is one of the most important time-tested water treatments which induces perspiration
in a most natural way. The patient, clad in minimum loin cloth or underwear, is made to sit on a
stool inside a specially designed cabinet. Before entering the cabinet, the patient should drink
one or two glasses of cold water and protect the head with a cold towel. The duration of the
steam bath is generally 10 to 20 minutes or until perspiration takes place. A cold shower should
be taken immediately after the bath.
Very weak patients, pregnant women, cardiac patients and those suffering from high blood
pressure should avoid this bath. If the patient feels giddy or uneasy during the steam bath, he or
she should be immediately taken out and given a glasss of cold water and the face washed with
cold water.
The steam bath helps to eliminate morbid matter from the surface of the skin. It also improves
circulation of the blood and tissue activity. It relieves rheumatism, gout, uric acid problems, and
obesity. The steam bath is helpful in all forms of chronic toxemias. It also relieves neuralgias,
chronic nephritis, infections, tetanus and migraine.
IMMERSION BATHS
This is also known as full bath. It is administered in a bath tub which should be properly fitted
with hot and cold water connections. The bath can be taken at cold, neutral, hot, graduated and
alternate temperatures.
COLD IMMERSION BATH
This may be taken for four seconds to 20 minutes at a temperature ranging from 100C to 23.80C.
Before entering the bath, cold water should be poured on the patient’s head, chest and neck and
the head should be protected with a cold moist towel. During the bath, the patient should
vigorously rub his or her body. After the bath the body should be quickly dried and wrapped up in
a blanket. If the climate is favourable, moderate exercise should be undertaken.
This bath helps to bring down fever. It also improves the skin when taken for five to 15 seconds
after a prolonged hot bath, by exhilarating circulation and stimulating the nervous system.
This bath should not be given to young children or very elderly persons, nor be taken in cases of
acute inflammation of some internal organs such as acute peritonitis, gastritis, enteritis and
inflammatory conditions of uterus and ovaries.
GRADUATED BATH
The patient should enter the bath at a temperature of 310C. The water temperature should be
lowered gradually at the rate of 10C per minute until it reaches 250C. The bath should continue
until the patient starts shivering. The graduated bath is intended to avoid nervous shock by
sudden plunge into the cold water. This bath is often administered every three hours in cases of
fever.
It effectively brings down the temperature except in malarial fever. Besides, it also produces a
general tonic effect, increases vital resistances and energises the heart.
NEUTRAL IMMERSION BATH
This bath can be given from 15 to 60 minutes at a temperature ranging from 260C to 280C. It can
be given for long duration, without any ill-effects, as the water temperature is akin to the body
temperature. The neutral bath diminishes the pulse rate without modifying respiration.
This treatment is the best sedative. Since the neutral bath excites activity of both the skin and
the kidneys, it is recommended in cases relating to these organs. It is also beneficial for cases of
organic diseases of the brain and spinal cord, including chronic inflammatory conditions such as
meningitis, rheumatism and arthritis.
A neutral immersion bath taken for 30 to 60 minutes is highly beneficial in general dropsy, due to
cardiac or renal diseases. It also helps those suffering from multiple neuritis, alcoholism and
other narcotic habits, chronic diarrhoea, peritonitis and chronic affections of the abdomen. In
such cases the bath may be given daily for 15 to 30 minutes. This bath is also useful in the
toxemic conditions caused by dyspepsia and pruritus. The neutral bath should not be prescribed
in certain cases of eczema and other forms of skin diseases where water aggravates the
symptoms, nor in cases of extreme cardiac weakness.
HOT IMMERSION BATH
This bath can be taken from two to 15 minutes at a temperature from 36.60C to 400C. Generally
this bath is started at 370C and the temperature is then gradually raised to the required level by
adding hot water. Before entering the bath, the patient should drink cold water and also wet the
head, neck and shoulders with cold water. A cold compress should be applied throughout the
treatment. This bath can be advantageously employed in dropsy when there is excessive loss of
tone of the heart and blood. This bath also relieves capillary bronchitis and bronchial pneumonia
in children. It relieves congestation of the lungs and activates the blood vessels of the skin
muscles. The bath should be terminated as soon as the skin becomes red.
In pneumonia and suppressed menstruation, the bath should be administered at 37.70C to 400C
for about 30 to 45 minutes. This bath should be given when the menstruation is due and may be
repeated for two to three days in succession. In dysmenorrhoea, this bath should be given at
380C to 44.40C for 15 minutes.
In chronic bronchitis a very hot bath taken for 5 to 7 minutes should be accompanied with
rubbing and friction. This relieves congestion of the mucous membrane and provides immediate
relief After the bath, oil should be applied to the skin if necessary.
The hot bath is a valuable treatment in chronic rheumatism and obesity. It gives immediate relief
when there is pain due to stones in the gall bladder and the kidneys. The hot bath should not be
taken in cases of organic diseases of the brain or spinal cord, nor in cases of cardiac weakness
and cardiac hypertrophy.
EPSOM SALT BATH
The immersion bath tub should be filled with about 135 litres of hot water at 400C. One to 1 1/2
kg. of Epsom salt should be dissolved in this water. The patient should drink a glass of cold
water, cover the head with a cold towel and then lie down in the tub, completely immersing the
trunk, thighs and legs for 15 to 20 minutes. The best time to take this bath is just before retiring
to bed. This is useful in cases of sciatica, lumbago, rheumatism, diabetes, neuritis, cold and
catarrh, kidney disorders and other uric acid and skin affections.
Precaution
Certain precautions are necessary while taking these therapeutic baths. Full baths should be
avoided within three hours after a meal and one hour before it. Local baths like the hip bath and
foot bath may, however, be taken two hours after a meal. Clean and pure water must be used
for baths and water once used should not be used again. While taking baths, temperature and
duration should be strictly observed to obtain the desired effects. A thermometer should always
be used to measure the temperature of the body. Women should not take any of the baths
during menstruation. They can take only hip baths during pregnancy till the completion of the
third month.

Avian Influenza a Mischance


Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Avian influenza in birds
Avian influenza is an infection caused by avian (bird) influenza (flu) viruses. These influenza viruses occur naturally among birds. Wild birds worldwide carry the viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. However, avian influenza is very contagious among birds and can make some domesticated birds, including chickens, ducks, and turkeys, very sick and kill them.
Infected birds shed influenza virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with contaminated secretions or excretions or with surfaces that are contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds. Domesticated birds may become infected with avian influenza virus through direct contact with infected waterfowl or other infected poultry, or through contact with surfaces (such as dirt or cages) or materials (such as water or feed) that have been contaminated with the virus.
Infection with avian influenza viruses in domestic poultry causes two main forms of disease that are distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The “low pathogenic” form may go undetected and usually causes only mild symptoms (such as ruffled feathers and a drop in egg production). However, the highly pathogenic form spreads more rapidly through flocks of poultry. This form may cause disease that affects multiple internal organs and has a mortality rate that can reach 90-100% often within 48 hours.


Human infection with avian influenza viruses
There are many different subtypes of type A influenza viruses. These subtypes differ because of changes in certain proteins on the surface of the influenza A virus (hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] proteins). There are 16 known HA subtypes and 9 known NA subtypes of influenza A viruses. Many different combinations of HA and NA proteins are possible. Each combination represents a different subtype. All known subtypes of influenza A viruses can be found in birds.
Usually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans. However, confirmed cases of human infection from several subtypes of avian influenza infection have been reported since 1997. Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds. The spread of avian influenza viruses from one ill person to another has been reported very rarely, and transmission has not been observed to continue beyond one person.
“Human influenza virus” usually refers to those subtypes that spread widely among humans. There are only three known A subtypes of influenza viruses (H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2) currently circulating among humans. It is likely that some genetic parts of current human influenza A viruses came from birds originally. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.
During an outbreak of avian influenza among poultry, there is a possible risk to people who have contact with infected birds or surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions or excretions from infected birds.
Symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical human influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases (such as acute respiratory distress), and other severe and life-threatening complications. The symptoms of avian influenza may depend on which virus caused the infection.
Studies done in laboratories suggest that some of the prescription medicines approved in the United States for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infection in humans. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work. Additional studies are needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of these medicines.


Avian Influenza A (H5N1)
Influenza A (H5N1) virus – also called “H5N1 virus” – is an influenza A virus subtype that occurs mainly in birds, is highly contagious among birds, and can be deadly to them. H5N1 virus does not usually infect people, but infections with these viruses have occurred in humans. Most of these cases have resulted from people having direct or close contact with H5N1-infected poultry or H5N1-contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms of Avian Influenza in Humans
The reported symptoms of avian influenza in humans have ranged from typical influenza-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches) to eye infections (conjunctivitis), pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, viral pneumonia, and other severe and life-threatening complications.
Antiviral Agents for Influenza
Four different influenza antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir, and zanamivir) are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of influenza; three are approved for prophylaxis. All four have activity against influenza A viruses. However, sometimes influenza strains can become resistant to these drugs, and therefore the drugs may not always be effective. For example, analyses of some of the 2004 H5N1 viruses isolated from poultry and humans in Asia have shown that the viruses are resistant to two of the medications (amantadine and rimantadine). Also, please note the January 14, 2006 CDC Health Alert Notice (HAN), in which CDC recommends that neither amantadine nor rimantadine be used for the treatment or prevention (prophylaxis) of influenza A in the United States for the remainder of the 2005-06 influenza season. Monitoring of avian influenza A viruses for resistance to influenza antiviral medications is ongoing.
Treatment and vaccination for H5N1 virus in humans
The H5N1 virus that has caused human illness and death in Asia is resistant to amantadine and rimantadine, two antiviral medications commonly used for influenza. Two other antiviral medications, oseltamavir and zanamavir, would probably work to treat influenza caused by H5N1 virus, but additional studies still need to be done to demonstrate their effectiveness.
There currently is no commercially available vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus that is being seen in Asia and Europe. However, vaccine development efforts are taking place. Research studies to test a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April 2005, and a series of clinical trials is under way.


Influenza Pandemic Preparedness
Three conditions must be met for a pandemic to start: 1) a new influenza virus subtype must emerge; 2) it must infect humans and causes serious illness; and 3) it must spread easily and sustainedly (continue without interruption) among humans. The H5N1 virus in Asia and Europe meets the first two conditions: it is a new virus for humans (H5N1 viruses have never circulated widely among people), and it has infected more than 100 humans, killing over half of them.
However, the third condition, the establishment of efficient and sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus, has not occurred. For this to take place, the H5N1 virus would need to improve its transmissibility among humans. This could occur either by “reassortment” or adaptive mutation.
Reassortment occurs when genetic material is exchanged between human and avian viruses during co-infection (infection with both viruses at the same time) of a human or pig. The result could be a fully transmissible pandemic virus—that is, a virus that can spread easily and directly to humans. A more gradual process is adaptive mutation, where the capability of a virus to bind to human cells increases during infections of humans.
At last I can say that this is a mischance for humanity if it become a reality .

By

Pathan Mohammed Naveed Khan
[B.pharmacy, Bachelor of journalism and Media sciences]
Pathan_Naveed@yahoo.com

The BPO Industry --Are we Ignoring Threat from China and India

The BPO Industry –
Are we ignoring the threat from China & other countries?

BPO stands for Business process out sourcing which is nothing but contracting out a business task to a service provider that is a third party. The parent company out source business on the basis of certain factors like, Cost of service, quality of end product. Once the business is out sourced the contracted company will be responsible for the results.
BPO industry is basically divided into two categories.
1] Back office--- Internal Business functions like, Billing.
2] Front office--- customer Related services like, Marketing, Tech support.

BPO industry is also called as ITES [Information Technology Enabled Services] as it is dependent of Information technology BPO includes the Software, The Process Management and the people to operate the service and it also means that a certain amount of risk is transferred to the company that is running business on behalf of the outsourcer.

The Main outsourcer is The United States of America and United Kingdom and the other countries are Canada and Australia. Now the question arises of why and where these countries out source. As in above mentioned lines these countries or the private companies from these countries look for the specific skill set such as The Process Management and the people to operate the service and their language skills.

Now the question comes in ones mind which are the countries with this specific skill set .
There are countries like India, China, Philippines etc.

India as a favored BPO Hub for the world:

India as largest populated country after china leads on certain frontier. Such as the largest of English Speaking human pool, Talented and creative and cheap skilled manpower.
As India has become a Information Technology super power in the world this skill has helped India to grab most of the business from the out sourcers since 1990. India also has good Intellectual Property laws and government is supporting in every possible manner.

China also has surged ahead to grab their pie of the cake but the minute difference between India and china is less percentage of English Speaking people the fact of the matter is china is leading in other frontiers on part of economic boom and product Manufacturing say engineered and IT products because of their Infrastructure .China also has a complex structure of laws because of which doing business here is a bit complex.

Some facts where India leads china.

In 2006 India was around $30billion where as china was standing at $12 billion. This is because of the talented Manpower which is around 30000 engineering graduates coming out of the colleges every year and IT professionals around 100000 per annum this talent has wide spread through out India and they are opening up their own BPO units and providing effective knowledge of BPO, India also has advance business skills in connection with western countries like America United Kingdom Latin America and Europe and China as well.

If we look at this facts certainly we can say that India is leading on BPO sector but we still needs to improve on our English speaking segment of society, More skilled graduates should come out of the institutes per annum . BPO is changing drastically to specialized knowledge based industry like KPO, PPO, RPO, LPO etc. China is preparing to improve on English capabilities and software skills look how they are preparing “The Chinese Government is Stressing on English Language learning as Beijing city is all set to host the 2008 Olympics this will create an impact on Business and IT sector globally and removing the language barrier will enable the Chinese companies to work in a wider range of markets and segment while English will become the preferred language of business. Said Dion Wiggnis, Vice president and Research director at Gartner.

The other countries;
The other countries like Canada and Mexico where near shoring can be done as companies don’t get cost saving here, companies only save 15% to 18% comparing to another countries where they can save up to 40%. Coming to Western Europe countries like Ireland and Scotland offer the same culture and can save cost up to 40% with skilled manpower at the same time claiming low property cost and attrition rate than in India. These countries are competing with India. Coming to Russia India might lose some share of IT business over next decade as it has a pool of engineers and scientist suitable for product development and testing. Coming to Eastern Europe countries like Romania Hungry Poland and Czech Republic offers close proximity to USA with low wages and English speaking pool but they can not go ahead as their wages are increasing and they have a small pool of talent. Now South East Asia consists of Malaysia, Singapore, Thigh land and Vietnam and Philippines, they offer English speaking talented work force but they have less labor work force.


Conclusion:
India should innovate newer ways to lower the cost and increase the quality of work.
India also has a largest pool of youngsters attending school in comparison with other countries where population is ageing. So ultimately India will be the final choice for outsourcer in a long run. Cheer India Cheer India Cheer India.


The Article is written by:
Pathan Mohammad Naveed Khan
[B.pharmacy and Bachelor of Journalism and Media Sciences]
For further information you can contact him at pathan_naveed@yahoo.com .
Call me at 00919890146190.