swine flu, flu remedies, swine flu info and a bit of 1918 flu epidemic history!

Swine Flu also known as swine influenza, swine fever, pig Flu and pig fever has been very prominent in the media recently because of its potential risks to health. It has also brought to light the importance of good public health measures to try to contain this outbreak. Before I give you further swine flu info, including flu remedies, I thought you may like to read this interesting bit of influenza history I received recently. Whether it is true or not remains to be seen and whether it will have any effect on swine flu also remains to be seen, but it does make for interesting reading:

Onions and flu - could this be true in swine flu too?

The 1918 flu epidemic killed 40 million people. There was a doctor who visited many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their families had contracted it and many died. However, the doctor came upon one farmer and to his surprise; everyone in the household was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different to all the others, his wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish and placed them in the rooms of their home (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one, and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the virus, therefore keeping the family healthy. Could this be true of swine flu too, intriguing?

This 1918 flu story was sent to me by my father-in-law, but he received it from someone who several years ago had many of their employees coming down with the flu (similar to swine flu)and so were many of their customers. The next year they placed several bowls with onions around in their shop. To their surprise, none of their staff got sick. It must work... (And no, they weren’t in the onion business.)Could this work for swine flu too?

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home. If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year, and we never got the flu.

If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case...Whatever, what have you to lose? Just a few bucks on onions and you never know it might help in a swine flu outbrake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now there is a P.S. to this, as it was sent it to a someone in Oregon who regularly contributes material. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:

“Thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story...but I do know that I contracted pneumonia, and needless to say I was very ill...I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion. Put one end on a fork, and then place the forked end into an empty jar...placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs. Sure enough, it happened just like that...the onion was a mess, and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

This is the other note:

LEFTOVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS!

I have used an onion which has been left in the fridge. Sometimes I don't use a whole one at one time, so I save the other half for later. Now with this info, I have changed my mind. I will buy smaller onions in the future. I had the wonderful privilege of touring a mayonnaise factory.

Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.

The guy who gave us our tour is named is a chemistry expert and involved in developing most of the sauce formula. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. His answer will surprise you. He said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe.

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quintessential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

He says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). He said it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator. It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs when you’re out and about!)

He says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put it on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year. Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.

Please remember it is dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook the next day. I t becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.

Interesting story and one that might be worth a try although I have no evidence for this!

What is swine influenza?

Swine Flu is a viral infection, similar to the common flu or Influenza. Caused by a virus, infected individuals experience symptoms similar to Flu with a fever, aches and pains in muscles and joints, plus headache. It can also cause nausea and diarrhoea which is of particular relevance to sufferers of bowel diseases such as ibs. Deaths have occurred from this viral illness and this is more likely in the very young, elderly, in pregnancy or when other illnesses are present.

Are there any flu remedies for this type of influenza?

The answer to this is yes. It is sensitive to Relenza and Tamiflu, two antiviral drugs that have been developed in the fight against the common flu strain. Other measures include keeping up your fluid intake, staying at home, regular Paracetamol to keep your temperature down and help with any aches and pains. Rest is also essential plus seeking guidance from your local health care services.

Close

"It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quintessential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

He says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). He said it's not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator. It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs when you’re out and about!)

He says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put it on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I am going to be very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year. Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions.

Please remember it is dangerous to cut onions and try to use it to cook the next day. I t becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.

Interesting story and one that might be worth a try although I have no evidence for this!

What is swine influenza?

Swine Flu is a viral infection, similar to the common flu or Influenza. Caused by a virus, infected individuals experience symptoms similar to Flu with a fever, aches and pains in muscles and joints, plus headache. It can also cause nausea and diarrhoea which is of particular relevance to sufferers of bowel diseases such as ibs. Deaths have occurred from this viral illness and this is more likely in the very young, elderly, in pregnancy or when other illnesses are present.

Are there any flu remedies for this type of influenza?

The answer to this is yes. It is sensitive to Relenza and Tamiflu, two antiviral drugs that have been developed in the fight against the common flu strain. Other measures include keeping up your fluid intake, staying at home, regular Paracetamol to keep your temperature down and help with any aches and pains. Rest is also essential plus seeking guidance from your local health care services.

Can I prevent getting the illness?

This is a very important question. It is important to make sure that you was your hands, bin your tissues after blowing your nose and try to keep away from others if you develop symptoms.

Any other advice?

I would strongly advise keeping up with the advice given by your local media as they are best placed to issue guidance specific to your local area.

Comment on your experiences of the flu!

Do you have a comment to make about the flu? Have you tried any medications for flu? Have they helped? What medicications would you advise and what tips have you got to survive the flu? Have you tried onions to help prevent this and has it helped? Tell about this? Share it!