Today we are (more and more|more} vulnerable from the various mutations of the flu virus. First we had alarms over the bird flu virus, but recently swine flu has become a latest concern. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu ever was. It was a worry that bird flu may change into a form that would effect humans, but for a handful of cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is a larger concern, swine flu has the ability to pass between humans 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. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is is common and is rarely fatal. Swine flu has not normally infected humans, although it can occasionally happen.
Swine flu is extremely dangerous as it is a new type of the flu virus. It is dangerous because no one has been in contact with this particular type of flu before, and 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 at the mercy of the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults and teenagers 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 potential for over half the population being affected.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These include a sudden,sudden onset of a fever, cough, shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headaches, a sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, loss of appetite and tiredness.
So what precautions can we take. Anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu needs to take a few simple, but most important precautions. The flu virus is spread between humans from the droplets from the mouth and nose when someone sneezes or coughs. This is the way viruses such as swine flu are passed from person to person. Covering your nose and mouth with your hands when you sneeze or cough is not enough. The virus simply sit on your hands, then everything you touch afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone then touching anything you touched will pick up the germs and will then risk becoming infected themselves. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is better, this should be disposed of as soon as you can, try to use a fresh tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
At the moment there are no vaccinations that stop anyone catching swine flu. Swine flu is a new strain of virus and isn’t the same as ordinary flu. Therefore the annual vaccination against the normal ordinary flu isn’t effective against the swine flu virus. Once the type of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will then take several months to produce. By which time, it may well have mutated into a different strain again.
Currently the only real effective precaution against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to stop flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who has the flu virus, it can help to stop the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of developing flu, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, thereby reducing the symptoms and associated risk. Governments worldwide are stockpiling Tamiflu, but these supplies will first be used to treat key workers and individuals before 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. Although it cannot be emphasized strongly enough, Tamiflu needs 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 are at a greater risk due to 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 begins. If you live in the country and do not have a close contact with many people then of course you will be at a lower risk.
Also, remember that swine flu is a worldwide problem. It is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may not be enough to meet a huge global demand.
Until a vaccine is found and manufactured in the quantities needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.
Disclaimer: This posting is based on information that is freely available in the popular media and medical journals related to swine flu. Nothing in this post is meant to be or should be construed to be medical advice. For medical advice you are encouraged to consult with your own physician.
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