Today we are (more and more|more} vulnerable from the various strains of the flu virus. initially we had alarms over bird flu, and recently swine flu has become the major concern. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu ever was. It was a worry that bird flu may mutate into a strain that would infect humans, but for a few cases, this situation has not materialized. Swine flu is of much more concern, it has the ability to pass between humans making it a very serious threat.
Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a respiratory disease that effects pigs and is the result of a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is is common and is only rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu has not normally infected humans, although it can happen occasionally.
Swine flu is extremely dangerous as it is a new strain of the flu virus. The problem is no one has been in contact with this particular type of flu before, therefore no one has built up any immunity. It is our immunity that stops diseases from becoming life threatening, with no immunity to this virus we are at the mercy of the virus. Absolutely everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults and teenagers as well as children and the elderly.
The real concern is what occurs when winter arrives. This is the period when the flu virus may spread quickly causing a flu pandemic with the potential for over half of the population becoming infected.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These include a sudden,sudden onset of a fever, cough or a shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may present themselves include headache, sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions to take First, anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu should to take a few simple, but very important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans from the droplets from the nose and mouth when someone sneezes or coughs. This is how viruses such as swine flu are passed from person to person. Covering your face with your hands when you sneeze or cough isn’t enough. The virus then live on your hands, then everything you touch afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone then touching anything you touched will pick up the virus and then risks becoming infected. Always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is better, this should then be disposed of safely as soon as you can, try to use a fresh tissue if you cough or sneeze again.
There are currently no vaccinations that prevent anyone catching the swine flu virus. The swine flu virus is a new strain of virus and isn’t the same as seasonal flu. The vaccination against the normal ordinary flu is not effective against the swine flu virus. Even when the type of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will then take several months to manufacture. By which time, it may have mutated into a different strain.
The only real effective treatment against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed to prevent flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who has the flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of contracting the flu virus, it can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and risk associated. Governments are stockpiling Tamiflu, the supplies will first be used to treat important workers and individuals before treating the general population.
You can however buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you can treat yourself and your family as much as possible. It cannot be emphasized strongly enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as soon as possible if it is to be effective, delays in treating the flu virus will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you are 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 office, then it may be wise to buy Tamiflu before the flu season begins. If you live in the country and don’t have a close contact with many people then your risk will be lower.
Also, remember that swine flu is a global 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 discovered and produced in the quantities required, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information that is freely available in the press and medical journals related to swine flu. Nothing herein is meant to be or should be construed to be medical advice. For medical advice you should consult with your doctor.