We are today (more and more|more} at risk from various mutations of the flu virus. initially we had scares over bird flu, but recently swine flu has become a major concern. Swine flu is of more concern than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu may change into a form that would effect humans, apart from a few cases, this situation did not materialize. Swine flu is a larger concern, swine flu is able to pass from human to human making swine flu a very serious threat.
Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a respiratory disease that infects pigs, it is caused by a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is is common but is rarely fatal. Swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can happen occasionally.
Swine flu is very dangerous because it is a new type of virus. It is dangerous because no one has been in contact with this particular type of flu before, and therefore no one has developed any immunity. It is our inbuilt immunity that prevents diseases from becoming life threatening, with no inbuilt immunity to this virus we are in serious danger from the virus. 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. This is the period when the swine flu virus may spread quickly causing widespread illness with the possibility of over half the population being affected.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These can include a sudden,sudden onset of a fever, cough or a shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, a sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions to take First, anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu needs to take a few simple, but very important precautions. The virus is passed between humans from the droplets from the nose and mouth when someone sneezes or coughs. This is how viruses are passed from person to person. Holding your face with your hands when you cough or sneeze is not enough. The virus then live on your hands, then everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone touching anything you touched will pick up the germs and will then risk becoming infected themselves. Always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is better, this should then be disposed of as soon as possible, try to use a new tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
Currently there are no vaccinations that stop anyone catching swine flu. The swine flu virus is a new strain of virus and is not the same as seasonal flu. Therefore the vaccination against the normal seasonal flu is not effective against the swine flu virus. Even when the strain of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will then take many months to manufacture. By which time, it may have mutated into a different strain again.
The only real effective treatment against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to prevent flu, but when a person has been exposed to another individual who is carrying the swine flu virus, Tamiflu can help prevent the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of contracting the flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and risk associated. Governments are stockpiling Tamiflu, these supplies will first be used to treat key workers and individuals before the general population.
You can buy Tamiflu online, if the situation arises you can protect 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 treatment will greatly reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you are at a higher risk due to your situation, such as For example living in a busy city with a large population or for example working in a busy office, then it may be prudent to buy Tamiflu before the winter flu season begins. If you live in the country and don’t have 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 huge worldwide demand.
Until a vaccine is discovered and manufactured in the quantities needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information freely available in the popular press and medical articles concerned with swine flu. Nothing in this post is intended to be or should be construed to be medical advice. For medical advice you should consult your own doctor.