We are today (more and more|more} at risk from the various strains of the flu virus. initially we had alarms over the bird flu virus, and more recently swine flu has become the major concern. Swine flu is of more concern than bird flu ever was. It was feared that bird flu could mutate into a form that could infect humans, but for a few cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is a greater worry, it is able to spread between humans making swine flu a very serious threat.
Swine flu (influenza A (H1N1) is a disease that effects pigs, it is caused by a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is not uncommon and is only rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu has not normally infected humans, although it can occasionally happen.
Swine flu is particularly dangerous because 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, therefore no one has developed any immunity to this type of flu. It is our inbuilt immunity that prevents diseases from becoming life threatening, with no inbuilt 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 occurs when the winter flu season arrives. It is then when the swine flu virus may spread quickly causing widespread illness with the possibility of over half of the population becoming infected.
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 that may present themselves include headaches, a sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions Anyone with cold or flu symptoms should to take a few easy, but most important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans by 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 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 touching the same place as you will pick up the germs and will then risk becoming infected. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is better, this should be disposed of safely as soon as possible, try to use a fresh tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
There are currently no vaccinations to prevent anyone catching the swine flu virus. Swine flu is a new type of virus and is not the same as ordinary flu. Therefore the annual vaccination against the usual ordinary flu isn’t effective against the swine flu virus. Even when the strain of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will take several months to manufacture. By which time, it may have changed into a different strain again.
The only effective precaution against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to prevent flu, but when a person has been exposed to another person who has the swine flu virus, it can help to stop the virus making a person ill. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of developing flu, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and risk associated. Governments worldwide 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, if the situation occurs you can treat yourself and your family. Although it can’t be emphasized enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as early as possible to be effective, delays in treatment will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you think you may be at a greater risk because of your situation, such as For example living in a city with a large population or working in a busy office, then it may be prudent 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 your risk will be lower.
Remember that swine flu is a global problem. If a pandemic outbreak becomes global it is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may not be great enough to meet a large global 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 that is freely available in the popular media and medical articles related to swine flu. Nothing in this post is intended to be or should be taken to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you should consult with your physician.
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