Tag: Medical Emergency

You And The Swine Flu: Knowledge That May Save You

You And The Swine Flu: Knowledge That May Save You

With this new strain of influenza running around, properly called Type A H1N1 swine influenza, but more popularly known as the swine flu, I think it would be nice to give people the 411 on the latest medical emergency that’s got the world’s attention.

Swine influenza came from pigs, hence the name, and pigs usually have regular outbreaks of this disease. The problem with it this time is that this strain of influenza has managed to jump the species and went over to us Homo sapiens and cased a bit of havoc.

Pigs don’t have to worry about it because most of them have built-in resistances to the diseases, mostly because of the constant evolutionary exposure to the disease. They like us when we receive the flu: a few chills, sniffles and a bit of bed rest and we’re right as rain. Problem with that is us humans don’t have this resistance to swine flu, mostly because we’re not pigs. The pigs would be in the same boat if a human strain had jumped into the porcine population.

The other problem with it is its virulence. The Center For Disease Control have determined that this strain of swine flu is contagious and can be passed to other people through the normal vectors: the virus can be transmitted when someone touches something that is contaminated and the puts it in his eyes, nose, or mout. It’s even airborne as microscopic droplets can travel through the air when someone sneezes. The CDC, however, is still a bit hazy on some other factors like incubation time and much contact is too much contact.

Another problem is that the swine flu has the same symptoms as regular human flu, just worse by an order of magnitude. High fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue can either mean you’ve been hit by the ordinary human flu and should take the usual cures or maybe you have the swine flu and need to go to the doctor immediately. Personally, it would be better to take no chances and just go to the doctor. Diarrhea and vomiting are the big warning signs though. Death by flue isn’t direct though. It just compounds with other diseases like pneumonia and makes it even worse. It can also kick any existing medical conditions you have like asthma up a notch.

So, the question on your mind now probably is: is there no hope or should I just run to the hills to avoid human contact? Thankfully, you don’t have to go that far. The CDC has recommended the use of several medicines to treat yourself with and to prevent the spread of the disease. Oseltamivir and zanamivir are viral inhibitors that make sure that the virus does not reproduce. More common antiviral drugs that are bought over the counter can also be effective. They make the symptoms milder and help your body heal itself faster. They can also stop some of the higher level complications that can happen when you are infected, if you take them early enough.

Of course, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. To avoid getting infected, try to avoid close contact with sick people and wash your hands on a regular basis, especially before you eat. If you have the unfrotunate luck of getting sick, isolate yourself and check your symptoms. Immediately consult with your doctor if your sickness persists more than usual.

The swine flu is just the latest in a long line of diseases that have endangered the human race. No matter how frightening it is, it’s still pretty survivable. All you need to have is the right knowledge to win the battle.

Business Travelers Need Air Ambulance Service Coverage

Do you travel frequently away from home due to your specific job requirements? Business travel has increased dramatically over the past few decades. More and more, men and women are sent hundreds of miles away from home to perform business duties. In many cases, travelers are even sent out of their home country on business.

The good business traveler comes prepared for the trip with all of the appropriate luggage, business files, and a laptop, but often something is missing. You may think you leave home fully prepared for the trip, but in reality, you are vulnerable. The business traveler may not be prepared for a medical emergency during the trip. Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. Just for this reason, people who travel away from home on frequent business trips should be prepared for such an emergency.

Although no one ever wants to use air ambulance services, it is possible that such a need may arise. The cost of a trip in an air ambulance can be extremely expensive. Fees can range from $10,000 to $75,000 per trip.

Business travelers really should consider purchasing air ambulance service coverage for those times when they are away from home. Not all air ambulance service coverage providers offer equal coverage. Carefully read the fine-print and examine the policy with caution. It is important to know when air ambulance service is covered, when it is available, and at what charge to you.

Do your best to select a plan that will allow you to be transported by a medically staffed air ambulance under any health condition. Be certain that you are able to determine the destination. It won’t be helpful to be dropped off at some random hospital along the route that is still miles from home. It is important that you be transported to the hospital of your choice, especially if you are concerned about being near family or at a hospital in your health insurance network.

Locating an air ambulance service coverage

Plan that has no conditions about pre-existing health conditions is very important. As you read the details of the coverage plan, try to look for any loopholes that exclude coverage. If too many exclusions apply, look elsewhere for reputable coverage.

Companies and corporations can supply air ambulance service coverage for business travelers at a reduced rate to the employees or as part of a benefits package. Speak to your employer today to find out if this option is available for you. If coverage is not available through your employer, it is wise to search for this coverage on your own to protect yourself, your family, and your finances.

The next time you travel away from home, don’t just grab your files and your computer. Bring with you confidence and peace of mind that you are covered in an emergency. Should you need to be transported by an air ambulance while away on business, you will know that you can protect your wallet with service coverage. When an emergency arises, you can quickly be transferred to a hospital near home and family without incurring the outrageous expense.

Air Ambulance Service Coverage a Great Benefit for Employees

Big business today knows the value of a good employee. Good employees are getting harder and harder to find these days. Excellent workers are not only interested in great pay, but also in a fabulous benefits package. If you are looking for another terrific perk to add to the company’s benefits package, it may be time to consider air ambulance service coverage.

Companies can receive excellent discounts on air ambulance service coverage costs for groups of employees. The cost can be covered exclusively by the employer, or paid partially by the employer and shared with the employee.

Air ambulance service coverage plans are not only affordable, but a fabulous benefit for business travelers. Most coverage plans require that the plan only be utilized when the patient is 150 miles away from home. If the company has numerous employees that travel from state to state or around the globe on business, then this just may be a benefit that should be added to the company’s roster.

A medical emergency can’t be planned. No one heads off on a business trip and expects to become ill or injured, but in reality, this may be the case. Should such a circumstance arise while an employee is away on business, it is important that they be able to return home as quickly as possible.

The cost of transportation by air ambulance can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $75,000 per trip. Air ambulance service coverage can be used anywhere around the globe. For a minimal annual or monthly fee, the air ambulance transportation cost can be minimized dramatically, or even reduced completely.

Employees will find this benefit to be a great offering from the company. Business travelers will want to protect themselves, their family, and their wallet while they are away on business and air ambulance service coverage is just the way to do it.

As you shop for coverage plans for your employees, be certain to compare prices closely. Read the fine-print on the plan and be cautious of several exclusions of coverage.

Some key issues to consider before signing up include the specific details of the coverage plan. For the best coverage, make sure that the air ambulance will arrive for pickup of the patient regardless of medical need. This will ensure that employees are transported safely back home to family and the hospital in the health insurance plan network.

The patient should be able to determine the final hospital destination. Employees who have a preference of a local hospital will truly appreciate this option.

Lastly, confirm that the air ambulance service coverage is not only nationwide, but global coverage. Making this determination will broaden the spectrum of opportunity for this valuable benefit. For companies with overseas travelers, this benefit will be extremely popular with the employees.

You know that securing excellent staff is essential to the well-being of the business. Salary and benefits packages are what bring the superior employees to you. Air ambulance service coverage is just one more fabulous benefit that your company can offer to your employees at a reasonable cost. Employees will value the benefit’s protection to their family and their wallet. Companies that offer security to their employees have loyal workers for years to come.