top storiesAstros coach is living healthier after cancer Astros coach Sean Berry went to the doctor after finding blood in his urine, and was told he had cancer. Flesh-eating bacteria kills angler after Galveston Bay trip A Baytown man has died from illness caused by exposure to a rare pathogen often referred to as flesh-eating bacteria. latest from the associated pressmore news sourcestwitter: trusted sources video swine flu 101 What is it? • A new, severe flu strain derived partly from a human flu virus and partly from several strains of influenza virus usually found only in pigs. It is called swine influenza A (H1N1). • This is an entirely new and unknown virus. • Swine flu viruses do spread from human to human, but in the past, this transmission was limited, the CDC says. The A (H1N1) is spreading human-to-human. • If it spreads effectively, it can cause a global epidemic - a pandemic. The impact of such a pandemic is difficult to predict: it depends on many factors including virulence of the virus and existing human immunity. • Fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. • Possible other symptoms: runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. • Many of the victims in Mexico contracted fatal pneumonia, possibly from secondary infections. • If you have symptoms, stay home to avoid spreading the infection. Stay home for two days after symptoms are gone. • Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands frequently. • Go to the hospital if you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, but otherwise stay home. • Masks may be recommended for people in close contact with swine flu patients, but there is no general need for them. • No. It is safe to eat properly handled/cooked pork. • The CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) for the treatment and/or prevention. • Recommendations for these antiviral drugs may change. • There is no vaccine. Health care's massive death toll — Experts estimate that a staggering 98,000 people die from preventable medical errors each year. Learn more in our special section, Dead By Mistake. Carolyn Thomas' new normal — The determined Waco gunshot victim turned her devastating injury into an inspirational journey of recovery with the help of Houston doctors. A three-part series and a follow-up story. The great silicosis hoax — To attorneys who had earned millions from asbestos settlements, silicosis represented the next potential windfall. But it all came undone in a haze of dust and deception. A two-part series. |
swine flu resources Interactive: Track key dates, learn how antiviral drugs work Interactive: Plot reports of the swine flu virus on a collaborative map. CDC: Details on the investigationCDC: Caring for a person ill with swine fluLatest from World Health OrganizationNew York State Department of State's FAQWellsphere.com's detailed swine flu pageAddictomatic: Swine flu topics online
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multimedia reports Keeping the Promise — Doctors led by Baylor College of Medicine fight AIDS in Africa. Houston doctor fosters hope in Africa — Baylor physician Mark Kline is pioneering efforts to help children with HIV in Africa. The Chronicle's Leigh Hopper and Carlos Antonio Rios traveled with Kline. |