Swine Flu, What Precautions You Can Take And What Treatments Are Available
by admin on Nov.28, 2009, under Uncategorized
We are today (more and more|more} at risk from various mutations of the flu virus. initially we had alarms over the bird flu virus, and more recently swine flu has become a latest concern. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu was. It was a worry that bird flu may mutate into a strain that could infect humans, apart from a few cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is a larger concern, it is able to pass from human to human making it a very serious threat.
Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a disease that infects pigs, it is caused by a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is is common and is rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can happen occasionally.
Swine flu is very dangerous as it is a new type of the flu virus. The problem is no one has been in contact with this particular strain of flu before, therefore no one has developed any immunity. It is our inbuilt immunity that stops diseases from becoming life threatening, with no inbuilt immunity to the swine flu virus we are in serious danger from the virus. Absolutely everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults as well as young children and the elderly.
The real concern is what will happen when the winter flu season arrives. It is then when the virus may spread quickly causing a flu pandemic with the possibility of over half the population being affected.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. The symptoms include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough or a shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may present themselves include headache, a sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, loss of appetite and tiredness.
Precautions Anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu needs to take a few easy, but very important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans by the droplets from the mouth and nose when someone coughs or sneezes. This is how viruses are spread from person to person. Covering your face with your hands when you cough or sneeze is not enough. The germs then live on your hands, then everything you touch afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone then touching anything you touched will pick up the flu virus and then risks becoming infected. Always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is better, this should be disposed of safely as soon as you can, try to use a new tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
There are currently no vaccinations to stop anyone catching the swine flu virus. The swine flu virus is a new strain of virus and is not the same as seasonal flu. The vaccination against the usual seasonal flu isn’t effective against the swine flu virus. Even when the strain of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will then take several months to manufacture. By which 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 a person has been exposed to another individual who has the swine flu virus, Tamiflu can help prevent 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 risk associated. Governments are stocking up on Tamiflu, but these supplies will be used to treat key workers and individuals before the general population.
You can however buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation occurs you can treat yourself and your family. It cannot be emphasized strongly enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as soon as possible if it is to be effective, delays in treatment will 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 flu season starts. If you live in the country and don’t have close contact with many people then you will be at a lower risk.
Remember that swine flu is a worldwide problem. It is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may be diminished and may not be enough to meet a huge global demand.
Until a vaccine is discovered and produced in the large quantities needed, 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 in this post is meant to be or should be taken to be medical advice. For medical advice you are encouraged to consult your doctor.
