Swine Flu, What Precautions To Take And Which Treatments Are Available
Today we are (more and more|more} vulnerable from various mutations of the flu virus. initially we had alarms over bird flu, but recently swine flu has become a major worry. Swine flu is of more concern than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu may change into a form that would infect humans, apart from a handful of cases, this has not materialized. Swine flu is a greater concern, the swine flu virus 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 respiratory disease that effects pigs and is caused by a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is is common and is only rarely fatal. Swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can occasionally happen.
Swine flu is very dangerous because it is a new type of the flu virus. This means that no one has been exposed to this particular strain of flu previously, therefore no one has built up any immunity. It is our immunity that stops diseases from becoming life threatening, with no immunity to the swine flu virus we are at the mercy of the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, this includes healthy adults and teenagers as well as children and the elderly.
The real worry is what will happen when winter arrives. It is then when the swine flu virus may quickly spread causing widespread illness with the possibility of over half of the population being affected.
The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu. The symptoms include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough or a shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headaches, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions Anyone with cold or flu symptoms needs to take a few easy, but most important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans from the droplets from the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. This is how viruses are passed from person to person. Holding your nose and mouth with your hands when you cough or sneeze is not enough. The germs simply sit on your hands, and everything you touch afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone touching anything you touched will pick up the flu virus and then risks becoming infected. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is far better, this should be disposed of safely as soon as possible, try to use a new tissue if you cough or sneeze 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. The annual vaccination against the usual ordinary flu is not effective against swine flu. Once the type of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will then take several months to produce. By this time, it may have changed into a different strain again.
Currently the only effective treatment against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed to prevent flu, but when a person has been exposed to another individual who has the swine flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of developing flu, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and associated risk. Governments worldwide are stockpiling Tamiflu, but the supplies will first be used to treat important workers and individuals before treating the general population.
You can buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you can protect yourself and your family. It can’t be emphasized strongly enough, Tamiflu needs to be taken as early as possible if it is to be effective, any delays in treating the virus will greatly reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you think you may be at a greater risk due to your situation, such as For example living in a 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 starts. If you happen live in the country and do not have close contact with many people then there will be less chance of getting the flu virus.
Remember that swine flu is a worldwide problem. It is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may not be great enough to meet a huge worldwide demand.
Until a vaccine is found and produced in the large quantities needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.
Disclaimer: This post is based on information freely available in the media and medical journals concerned with swine flu. Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you should consult your own physician.
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