We are today (more and more|more} at risk from the various strains of the flu virus. initially we had alarms over the bird flu virus, and recently swine flu has become the major concern. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu ever was. It was feared that bird flu may change into a strain that could effect humans, apart from a handful of cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is of much more concern, swine flu has the ability to spread between humans making swine flu a very serious threat.
Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a disease that infects pigs, it is caused by a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is not uncommon and is only rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can happen occasionally.
Swine flu is very dangerous as it is a new type of virus. The problem is no one has been exposed to this particular strain before, and therefore no one has built up any immunity to this strain of flu. It is our inbuilt immunity that prevents diseases from becoming life threatening, with no inbuilt immunity to the swine flu virus we are in serious danger from the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults as well as young children and the elderly.
The real worry is what occurs when winter arrives. This is the period when the swine flu virus may quickly spread causing a flu pandemic with possibly over half the population becoming infected.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may present themselves include headache, sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite and tiredness.
So what precautions can we take. First, anyone with cold or flu symptoms needs to take a few easy, but most important precautions. The flu virus is spread between humans from the small droplets from the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. This is the way viruses are spread from person to person. Covering your face with your hands when you cough or sneeze isn’t enough. The germs then live on your hands, then everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone touching anything you touched will pick up the virus and will then risk becoming infected. Always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is far better, this should be disposed of safely as soon as you can, and always use a new tissue if you cough or sneeze again.
There are currently no vaccinations to prevent anyone catching swine flu. Swine flu is a new type of virus and isn’t the same as seasonal flu. Therefore the annual vaccination against the normal seasonal flu isn’t effective against swine flu. Even when the strain of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will take several months to produce. By which time, it may have changed into a different strain again.
Currently the only effective precaution against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed to stop flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who has the swine flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person ill. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of contracting the flu virus, Tamiflu can help stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and associated risk. Governments worldwide are stocking up on Tamiflu, but the supplies will naturally be used to treat key workers and individuals before treating the general population.
You can however buy Tamiflu online, if the situation occurs you can treat yourself and your family. Although it cannot be emphasized enough, Tamiflu needs to be taken as soon as possible to be effective, delays in treating the flu virus will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you are at a greater risk because of your situation, such as For example living in a city with a large population or working in a busy office, then it may be wise to buy Tamiflu before the winter flu season starts. If you happen live in the country and don’t have a close contact with many people then of course you will be at a lower risk.
Remember that swine flu is a worldwide problem. If a pandemic outbreak becomes global it is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may not be great enough to meet a large worldwide demand.
Until a vaccine is found and produced in the large quantities required, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for swine flu.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information freely available in the popular press and medical articles related to swine flu. Nothing herein is intended to be or should be taken to be medical advice. For medical advice you are encouraged to consult your healthcare worker.
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