Rakaman Kehidupan

Influenza A(H1N1),
(Previously known as swine Influenza)
(Info extracted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA)

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Are there human infections with swine flu?
In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm CDC and local and state health agencies are working together to investigate this situation.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with these swine influenza viruses. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).

How long can an infected person spread swine flu to others?
People with swine influenza virus infection should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possible for up to 7 days following illness onset. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

How long can viruses live outside the body?
We know that some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks. Frequent handwashing will help you reduce the chance of getting contamination from these common surfaces.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water – that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Not waking up or not interacting

• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

• Fever with a rash

  In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

• Sudden dizziness

• Confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting
  

How serious is swine flu infection?
Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Between 2005 until January 2009, 12 human cases of swine flu were detected in the U.S. with no deaths occurring. However, swine flu infection can be serious. In September 1988, a previously healthy 32-year-old pregnant woman in Wisconsin was hospitalized for pneumonia after being infected with swine flu and died 8 days later. A swine flu outbreak in Fort Dix, New Jersey occurred in 1976 that caused more than 200 cases with serious illness in several people and one death.

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Where can I get more information on swine flu in Malaysia?

For more information, go to the Health Ministry (www.moh.gov.my) or call the Ministry’s hotline at (03) 8881-0200/300.

Other useful Links:

World Health Organization: www.who.int
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Homeland Security Department: www.dhs.gov
WHO swine flu page: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Sumber :

www.expat.com.my

Setiap kali menjelang tarikh 1 April, ramai diantara kita begitu terpengaruh dengan budaya ‘pandang ke barat’, dan mereka menjadi begitu meriah dan humor sekali. Otak masing-masing penuh dengan rancangan dan mencari mangsa-mangsa untuk dipermain-mainkan. Bahkan sewaktu sedang bekerja atau sedang makan pun kepala mereka mencari cara dan membuat rencangan ‘guruan’ ini.

Tiap tarikh 1 April, ada saja orang—terutama anak-anak muda—yang merayakan hari tersebut dengan membuat aneka kejutan atau sesuatu gurauan. April Fools Day, demikian orang Barat menyebut hari tarikh 1 April atau lebih popular disebut sebagai ‘April Mop’.

Namun tahukah Anda jika perayaan tersebut sesungguhnya berasal dari sejarah penyeranagn tentara Salib terhadap Muslim Spanyol yang memang didahului dengan cara penipuan? Inilah sejarahnya yang disalin semula dari sebagiann dari buku “Valentine Day, Natal, Happy New Year, April Mop, Halloween: So What?” (Rizki Ridyasmara, Pustaka Alkautsar, 2005)

Yang penting mereka ingin puas melihat muka mangsa-mangsa gurauan April Mop mereka merah padam karana dipermain-mainkan. Bagaimanapun, tanpa mereka sadari, kadang gurauan-gurauan atau ‘practical jokes’ yang dilakukan dapat menjadikan perselisihan dan penyesalan yang berkepanjangan.

SEJARAH APRIL MOP
Perayaan April Mop yang selalu diakhiri dengan kegembiraan dan kepuasan itu sesungguhnya berasal dari satu tragedi besar yang sangat menyedihkan dan memilukan. April Mop atau The April’s Fool Day berasal dari satu episode sejarah Muslim Spanyol di tahun 1487 atau bertepatan dengan 892 H. Sebelum sampai pada tragedi tersebut, ada baiknya melihat sejarah Spanyol dahulu ketika masih di bawah kekuasaan Islam.

Sejak dikuasai Islam pada abad ke-8 M oleh Panglima Thariq bin Ziyad , Spanyol berangsur-angsur tumbuh menjadi satu negeri yang makmur. Pasukan Islam tidak saja berhenti di Spanyol, namun terus melakukan perluasan di negeri-negeri sekitar menuju Perancis. Perancis Selatan dengan mudah telah ditakluki. Kota Carcassone, Nimes, Bordeaux, Lyon, Poitou, Tours, dan sebagainya jatuh. Walau sangat kuat, pasukan Islam masih memberikan ‘toleransi’ kepada suku Goth dan Navaro di daerah sebelah Barat kawasan pegunungan.

Islam telah menerangi Spanyol. Karana sikap para pemerentah Islam begitu baik dan rendah hati, maka ramai orang-orang Spanyol yang kemudian dengan tulus dan ikhlas memeluk Islam. Muslim Spanyol bukan hanya beragama Islam, namun mereka sungguh-sungguh mempraktikkan kehidupan secara Islami. Mereka tidak hanya membaca Al-Qur’an tapi juga bertingkah laku berdasarkan Al-Qur’an. Mereka selalu berkata tidak untuk muzik, bear, pergaulan bebas, dan segala hal yang dilarang Islam. Keadaan tenteram seperti itu berlangsung hampir enam abad lamanya.

Selama itu pula kaum kafir yang masih ada di sekeliling Spanyol tanpa kenal putus asa terus berupaya membersihkan Islam dari Spanyol, namun mereka selalu gagal. Telah beberapa kali dicuba tapi selalu tidak berhasil. Dihantar sejumlah perisik untuk mempelajari kelemahan umat Islam di Spanyol. Akhirnya perisik itu menemukan cara untuk menaklukkan Islam di Spanyol, yakni pertama-tama harus melemahkan iman mereka dulu dengan jalan serangan pemikiran dan budaya.

Maka mulailah secara diam-diam mereka menghantar alkohol dan rokok secara terus menerus ke dalam wilayah Spanyol. Muzik diperdengarkan untuk memikat kaum mudanya agar lebih suka bernyanyi dan menari berbanding baca Qur’an. Mereka juga mengirim sejumlah ulamak palsu yang kerjanya meniup-niupkan perpecahan di dalam tubuh umat Islam Spanyol. Lama-kelamaan usaha ini membuahkan hasil.

Akhirnya Spanyol jatuh da dikuasai pasukan Salib. Penyerangan oleh pasukan Salib benar-benar dilakukan dengan kejam tanpa mengenal peri kemanusiaan.

Tidak hanya pasukan Islam yang disembelih, juga penduduk sipil, wanita, anak-anak kecil, orang-orang tua, semuanya dilibas dengan pedang.

Satu persatu daerah di Spanyol jatuh, Granada adalah daerah terakhir yang ditaklukkan. Penduduk-penduduk Islam di Spanyol (juga disebut orang Moor) terpaksa berlindung di dalam rumah untuk menyelamatkan diri. Tentara-tentara Kristen terus mengejar mereka.

Ketika jalan-jalan sudah sepi, tinggal menyaksikan ribuan mayat yang bergelimpangan bermandikan darah, tentara Salib mengetahui bahwa banyak Muslim Granada yang masih bersembunyi di rumah-rumah.

Dengan lantang tentara Salib itu mengumumkan pengampunan, bahwa para Muslim Granada boleh keluar dari rumah dengan aman dan diperbolehkan berlayar keluar dari Spanyol dengan membawa barang-barang keperluan mereka. “Kapal-kapal yang akan membawa kamu keluar dari Spanyol sudah kami persiapkan di pelabuhan. Kami menjamin keselamatan kamu jika ingin keluar dari Spanyol, setelah ini maka kami tidak lagi memberikan jaminan!” demikian bujuk tentara Salib.

Orang-orang Islam masih curiga dengan tawaran ini. Beberapa dari orang Islam diperbolehkan melihat sendiri kapal-kapal penumpang yang sudah dipersiapkan di pelabuhan. Setelah benar-benar melihat ada kapal yang sudah dipersiapkan, maka mereka segera bersiap untuk meninggalkan Granada bersama-sama menuju ke kapal-kapal tersebut. Mereka pun bersiap untuk berlayar.

Keesokan harinya, ribuan penduduk Muslim Granada yang keluar dari rumah-rumahnya dengan membawa seluruh barang-barang keperluannya beriringan jalan menuju pelabuhan. Beberapa orang Islam yang tidak mempercayai tentara Salib bertahan dan terus bersembunyi di rumah-rumahnya.

Setelah ribuan umat Islam Spanyol berkumpul di pelabuhan, dengan cepat tentara Salib menggeledah rumah-rumah yang telah itinggalkan penghuninya. Lidah api terlihat menjilat-jilat angkasa ketika para tentara Salib itu membakar rumah-rumah tersebut bersama orang-orang Islam yang masih bertahan di dalamnya.

Sedang ribuan umat Islam yang tertahan di pelabuhan hanya boleh melihat ketika tentara Salib juga membakar kapal-kapal yang dikatakan akan mengangkut mereka keluar dari Spanyol. Kapal-kapal itu dengan cepat tenggelam. Ribuan umat Islam tidak boleh berbuat apa-apa karana sama sekali tidak bersenjata. Mereka juga kebanyakan terdiri dari para perempuan dan anak-anaknya yang masih kecil-kecil. Sedang tentara Salib itu telah mengepung mereka dengan pedang terhunus.

Dengan satu teriakan dari pemimpinnya, ribuan tentara Salib itu segera menyerang dan melibas umat Islam Spanyol tanpa perasaan belas kasihan. Jerit tangis dan takbir membahana. Dengan buas tentara Salib terus membunuhi warga awam yang sama sekali tidak berdaya.

Seluruh Muslim Spanyol di pelabuhan itu habis dibunuh dengan kejam. Darah menggenang di mana-mana. Laut yang biru telah berubah menjadi merah kehitam-hitaman. Tragedi ini bertepatan dengan tanggal 1 April. Inilah yang kemudian diperingati oleh dunia Kristen setiap tanggal 1 April sebagai April Mop (The Aprils Fool Day).

Bagi umat Islam April Mop tentu merupakan tragedi yang sangat menyedihkan. Hari di mana ribuan saudara-saudaranya seiman disembelih dan dilibas oleh tentara Salib di Granada, Spanyol. Sebab itu, adalah sangat patut jika ada orang Islam yang terikut-ikut merayakan tradisi ini. Sebab dengan ikut merayakan April Mop, sesungguhnya orang-orang Islam itu ikut bergembira dan tertawa atas tragedi tersebut. Siapa pun orang Islam yang turut merayakan April Mop, maka ia sesungguhnya tengah merayakan ulang tahun pembunuhan massal ribuan saudara-saudaranya di Granada, Spanyol, beberapa abad silam.

Sama2 lah kita fikirkan dan renungkan bersama…

Sumber :

http://ibnuabbas.wordpress.com/2008/04/02/jangan-sambut-april-fool/