We are today (more and more|more} at risk from various mutations of the flu virus. initially we had alarms over the bird flu virus, but more recently swine flu has become the latest concern. Swine flu is of more concern than bird flu was. It was a worry that bird flu may change into a strain that would infect humans, apart from a handful of cases, this situation did not materialize. Swine flu is of much more concern, swine flu is able to spread between humans making swine flu a very serious threat.
Swine flu (influenza A (H1N1) is a disease that effects pigs and is the result of a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is not uncommon but is rarely fatal. Swine flu has not normally infected humans, although it can occasionally happen.
Swine flu is particularly dangerous because it is a new type of virus. It is dangerous because no one has been in contact with this particular strain of flu before, and therefore no one has built up any immunity to this type of flu. It is our inbuilt immunity that prevents diseases from becoming life threatening, with no inbuilt immunity to swine flu we are in serious danger from the virus. Absolutely everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults as well as children and the elderly.
The real concern is what will happen when the flu season starts in the winter. It is then when the virus may quickly spread causing a flu pandemic with the potential for over half of the population being affected.
Swine flu symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. The symptoms include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may present themselves include headache, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions to take Anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu needs to take a few simple, but most important precautions. The virus is spread between humans by the droplets from the mouth and nose when someone sneezes or coughs. This is the way viruses such as swine flu are spread from person to person. Holding your face with your hands when you cough or sneeze isn’t enough. The virus then live on your hands, and everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone then touching the same place as you will pick up the virus and will then risk becoming infected themselves. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is better, this should then be disposed of safely as soon as possible, try to use a fresh tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
Currently there are no vaccinations that prevent anyone catching swine flu. The swine flu virus is a new strain of virus and is not the same as ordinary flu. Therefore the vaccination against the normal seasonal flu isn’t effective against swine flu. Once the strain of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will then take many months to produce. By which time, it may well have changed into a different strain again.
Currently the only effective treatment against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to prevent flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who is carrying the flu virus, it can help to stop the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of developing flu, it can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and risk associated. Governments worldwide are stockpiling Tamiflu, but these supplies will first be used to treat key workers and individuals before the general population.
You can however buy Tamiflu online, if the situation occurs you can protect yourself and your family. It can’t be emphasized enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as early as possible if it is to be effective, any delays in treating the flu virus will greatly reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you think you may be at a higher risk due to your situation, such as For example living in a city with a large population or working in a busy open plan office, then it may be wise to buy Tamiflu before the flu season begins. If you happen live in the country and don’t have a close contact with many people then you will be at a lower risk.
Also, remember that swine flu is a worldwide problem. It is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may not be great enough to meet a huge global demand.
Until a vaccine is discovered and produced in the large quantities needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for swine flu.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information that is freely available in the popular press and medical journals related to swine flu. Nothing in this posting is intended to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you should consult with your own healthcare worker.