Swine Flu And Bird Flu, What Precautions You Can Take And Treatments Available
We are today (more and more|more} at risk from various strains of the flu virus. First we had scares over the bird flu virus, but more recently swine flu has become the major worry. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu could change into a strain that would infect humans, but for a handful of cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is a larger concern, it 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 effects pigs, it is the result of a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is is common and is rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu has not normally infected humans, although it can occasionally happen.
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 previously, 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 the swine flu virus we are in serious danger from the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults as well as children and the elderly.
The real worry is what occurs when the flu season starts in the winter. It is then when the virus may quickly spread causing a flu pandemic with the possibility of over half of the population being affected.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu. These include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headaches, a sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions Anyone with cold or flu symptoms needs to take a few easy, but very important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans from the small droplets from the nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. This is how viruses are spread from person to person. Holding your nose and mouth with your hands when you cough or sneeze isn’t enough. The virus simply sit on your hands, then everything you touch afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone then touching the same place as you will pick up the germs and then risks becoming infected themselves. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is better, this should be disposed of as soon as possible, and always use a new tissue if you cough or sneeze again.
There are currently no vaccinations to stop anyone catching swine flu. Swine flu is a new type of virus and is not the same as seasonal flu. The annual vaccination against the usual ordinary flu is not effective against swine flu. Even when the strain of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will take several months to manufacture. By this time, it may have mutated into a different strain again.
The only real effective treatment against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to prevent flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who is carrying the flu virus, Tamiflu can help prevent the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of developing flu, it can help stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and associated risk. Governments are stockpiling Tamiflu, but the supplies will naturally be used to treat key workers and individuals before treating the general population.
You can however buy Tamiflu online, if the situation occurs you can treat 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 flu virus 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 winter flu season starts. If you live in the country and do not have close contact with many people then of course your risk will be lower.
Also, 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 required, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for swine flu.
Disclaimer: This post is based on information that is freely available in the media and medical journals concerned with swine flu. Nothing in this post is meant to be or should be construed to be medical advice. For medical advice you are advised to consult with your physician.
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