Swine Flu And Bird Flu, What Are The Precautions To Take And Treatments Available

We are today (more and more|more} at risk from the various mutations of the flu virus. First we had scares over bird flu, but recently swine flu has become a major concern. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu ever was. It was a worry that bird flu could change into a form that would effect humans, but for a few cases, this has not materialized. Swine flu is a larger concern, the swine flu virus 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 respiratory disease that infects pigs, it is the result of a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is not uncommon and is only rarely fatal. Swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, although it can occasionally happen.

Swine flu is very dangerous because it is a new strain of the flu virus. The problem is no one has been exposed to this particular strain of flu before, therefore no one has built up any immunity to this type of flu. It is our immunity that stops diseases from becoming life threatening, with no immunity to swine flu we are in serious danger from the virus. Absolutely everyone is vulnerable, this includes healthy adults as well as children and the elderly.

The real worry is what occurs when winter arrives. It is then when the swine flu virus may quickly spread causing widespread illness with possibly over half the population being affected.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. The symptoms include a sudden,sudden onset of a fever, cough, shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, a sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.

Precautions First, anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu needs to take a few easy, but very important precautions. The virus is passed between humans by the droplets from the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. 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 isn’t enough. The germs simply sit 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. Always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is better, this should be disposed of as soon as possible, and always use a fresh tissue if you cough or sneeze again.

At the moment there are no vaccinations that stop anyone catching swine flu. The swine flu virus is a new type of virus and is not the same as seasonal flu. Therefore the annual vaccination against the usual ordinary flu isn’t effective against the swine flu virus. Once the strain of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will then take many months to produce. By which time, it may well have mutated into a different strain again.

Currently the only real 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 is carrying the flu virus, it can help prevent the virus making a person ill. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of developing flu, it can help stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and risk associated. Governments are stocking up on Tamiflu, but the supplies will naturally be used to treat important workers and individuals before the general population.

You can however buy Tamiflu online, if the situation occurs you can protect yourself and your family as much as possible. Although 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 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 open plan office, then it may be prudent to buy Tamiflu before the flu season starts. If you happen live in the country and don’t have a close contact with many people then you will be at a lower risk.

Remember that swine flu is a global problem. If a pandemic outbreak becomes global it is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may be diminished and may not be enough to meet a huge worldwide demand.

Until a vaccine is found and produced in the quantities needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.

Disclaimer: This posting is based on information freely available in the popular press and medical journals related to swine flu. Nothing in this posting is intended to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you should consult with your healthcare worker.