We are today (more and more|more} vulnerable from various strains of the flu virus. First we had scares over the bird flu virus, but more recently swine flu has become a major worry. Swine flu is of more concern than bird flu ever was. It was feared that bird flu may mutate into a form that would infect humans, but for a handful of cases, this situation has not materialized. Swine flu is a greater worry, it has the ability to pass from human to human making it a dangerous threat.
Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a disease that effects pigs, it is the result of a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is not uncommon and is rarely fatal. 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. This means that no one has been in contact with this particular strain before, therefore no one has built up any immunity to this strain of flu. It is our inbuilt immunity that stops diseases from becoming life threatening, with no inbuilt immunity to this virus we are in serious danger from the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, this includes healthy adults as well as children and the elderly.
The real concern is what will happen when the winter flu season arrives. This is the period when the virus may spread quickly causing a flu pandemic with the possibility of over half of the population becoming infected.
Swine flu symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu. These include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough or a shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions Anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu should to take a few easy, but very important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans from the small droplets from the mouth and nose when someone coughs or sneezes. This is how viruses such as swine flu are spread from person to person. Holding your face with your hands when you sneeze or cough isn’t enough. The virus then live on your hands, then everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone touching anything you touched will pick up the virus and then risks becoming infected. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is far better, this should be disposed of as soon as you can, try to use a fresh tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
Currently there are no vaccinations to prevent anyone catching swine flu. The swine flu virus is a new strain of virus and isn’t the same as ordinary flu. Therefore the annual vaccination against the usual seasonal flu is not effective against swine flu. Once the type of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will take several months to manufacture. By this time, it may have changed into a different strain.
Currently the only real effective treatment against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to prevent flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who is carrying the flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of developing flu, Tamiflu can help stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and associated risk. Governments are stockpiling Tamiflu, the supplies will naturally be used to treat key workers and individuals before the general population.
You can buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you can treat yourself and your family as much as possible. It can’t be emphasized enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as soon as possible if it is to be effective, any delays in treating the virus will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you think you may be at a increased risk because of 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 winter flu season starts. If you happen live in the country and do not have a close contact with many people then you will be at a lower risk.
Also, remember that swine flu is a global problem. 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 needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for swine flu.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information freely available in the media and medical journals related to swine flu. Nothing in this post is meant to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you should consult with your own healthcare worker.
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