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Swine Flu

Swine flu is a type of flu that is thought to originate in pigs, although this is not 100 per cent certain.

In this article:

What is swine flu?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Effect on your life

Treatment

How Chemist Online can help

Advice & Support

What is swine flu?
The swine flu virus is passed from human-to-human and can feel like a ‘normal’ flu with symptoms such as headache, fever and shivers.

In 2009, a new strain of the swine flu virus (N1H1) created a pandemic worldwide. The origins of this have been traced to South America. Prior to this, swine flu was not a virus which was easily spread from pigs to humans, and then from human-to-human thereafter.

Symptoms
Symptoms of swine flu include:

High temperature

Headache

Cough

Sore throat

Runny nose

Sneezing

Fever

Upset stomach

Loss of appetite

Fatigue

Muscle aches and pains

Joint pain

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

It can take up to 7 days for your swine flu symptoms to become apparent.

Causes
Swine flu is contagious. It is thought to originate in pigs, but this has never been unequivocally proved. When a pandemic occurs, this means that there is global outbreak of the spreading of the virus.

Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms and think that you may have the swine flu virus do not go to your doctor or local (nearest) hospital. Instead, stay at home and call your GP. You can also the National Flu Service on 0800 1 513 3100 or online at: www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu.

A diagnosis will be made based on your description of your symptoms.

Note: Do contact your GP directly (rather than the National Flu Service) if you are pregnant, think that your child may have the virus (and is under one year old), or have a serious underlying illness.

Effect on your life
The effect of swine flu will basically be the same as ‘normal’ flu. You are best to go to bed until your symptoms clear up. As swine flu is a contagious condition, avoid contact with others until you have fully recovered.

Treatment
As swine flu is a virus it is usually treated with a vaccine. A 5-day course of the antiviral medication Tamiflu® will generally be prescribed. Although this will not cure swine flu, it can be effective in controlling and reducing symptoms until your body recovers.

How Chemist Online can help
Through this website we have a range of treatments available to buy that can help relieve the symptoms and associated symptoms of swine flu, such as headache, fever and cough.

www.chemistonline.co.uk

Advice & Support
National Pandemic Flu Service
Tel. 0800 1 513 3100 or Text phone 0800 151 3200
Website: www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.

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Mental Health and Behavioral Therapies for Students

The Growing Academic Burden and Its Impact on Student Mental Health
Increased Academic Demands
Over the years, the academic workload for students has intensified significantly. A study by the National Survey of Student Engagement found that the average full-time college student spends about 15 hours per week studying, and this number can be much higher in more rigorous programs. This increased workload can lead to stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

Mental Health Challenges
According to the American Psychological Association, over 30% of students seeking help at college counseling centers report that stress negatively affects their academic performance. Additionally, data from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health indicates a steady increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression among college students over the past decade.

Therapeutic Interventions for Student Mental Health
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used approach that helps students identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. It has been proven effective for a range of issues, including depression and anxiety. A meta-analysis published in the “Journal of Cognitive Therapy and Research” suggests that CBT can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in students.

Art and Interpersonal Therapies
Art therapy, which includes activities like music and dance, provides a creative outlet for students to express themselves and manage stress. Interpersonal therapy focuses on improving students’ relationships and social interactions, which can be crucial for those struggling with depression.

Family Therapy
Involving family members in therapy can help address dynamics that may contribute to a student’s stress and mental health issues. Family therapy can facilitate better communication and support within the family unit.

The Role of Behavioral Health Consultants
Behavioral health consultants play a crucial role in integrating mental health care with primary health care. They conduct assessments, provide counseling, and help students develop coping strategies. These professionals are trained to use various diagnostic tools, including drawing tests, to understand a student’s mental state and tailor interventions accordingly.

The Importance of Support Systems
It is essential for parents, educators, and peers to support students in managing their mental health. Creating an environment that promotes mental well-being and encourages seeking help can significantly impact students’ academic success and overall quality of life.

Conclusion
As academic pressures mount, the mental health of students cannot be overlooked. Effective behavioral therapies and supportive environments are critical for helping students navigate the challenges of modern education. By addressing mental health issues proactively, we can foster a healthier, more resilient student population.

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Home Insurance Terms You Should Know

Beneficial Insurance Solutions is here to make it easier to understand what insurance terms are and what is covered.

Here is a guide to help you decode home insurance terms and working:

Agent and Broker
An agent represents a particular insurance company and sells their products. A broker deals with insurance products of more than one insurance provider. It doesn’t matter whom you conduct, it is important to choose an insurance policy that serves your purpose after careful research.

Deductible
The deductible is essentially the amount of money you pay upfront before the insurer pays your claim. The advantage of opting for a substantial deductible is that the premium payments would go down.

Tenant and homeowner insurance

Depending on whether you own the property or have rented it out, the nature of your policy would differ.

Homeowners’ insurance covers the entire home including its exterior, home infrastructure. It also covers theft, fire, earthquake etc. Homeowners’ insurance is more expensive compared to that of a tenant. However, you can limit the costs by choosing what you want to be covered.

Tenant or renters insurance covers only the contents if they are damaged due to fire or theft. It also covers additional living expenses if the accommodation becomes unavailable to live due to fire or flood.

Personal liability
Irrespective of whether you own the house or are a tenant, you are responsible for bodily injury or property damage unintentionally caused to others. The personal liability portion of your home insurance covers such liabilities. It doesn’t cover injuries sustained by you or other members of your family on your property.

Types of home insurance

Home insurance policies are broadly classified as basic, broad and comprehensive.

Basic coverage is minimal coverage like loss due to fire. If you take a basic policy, you can save on insurance costs and manage other potential losses yourself.

Broad coverage offers comprehensive coverage for your house but is limited to perils coverage for its contents.

Comprehensive coverage covers all the possible risks to your home and its content, except those that are specifically excluded. For obvious reasons, this type of policy attracts the highest premium payments.

Choosing perils of coverage
You can reduce your home insurance costs by specifying the perils of coverage that you want your home to be insured against. You can also add your perils coverage if required by paying the required feed. By choosing the perils of coverage, you can better plan your home insurance coverage and costs.

What is not covered?
Home insurance policies usually do not cover damages due to the freezing of indoor pipes, insect and rodent damage, damage due to landslides, earthquakes or freezing outside your homes.

Once you are aware of the insurance terms and understand their implications, you can be better equipped to make an informed decision regarding your home insurance policy. If all the information is too overwhelming, you could ask an insurance consultant to guide you.

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