Swine Flu And Bird Flu, What Are The Precautions You Can Take And Which Treatments Are Available

Posted in Articles on 11/26/2009 03:12 pm by Guest Author

Today we are (more and more|more} vulnerable from the various strains of the flu virus. First 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 a worry that bird flu may change into a form that would effect humans, but for a handful of cases, this has not materialized. Swine flu is a bigger worry, swine flu is able to spread between humans making swine flu a very serious threat.

Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a respiratory disease that infects pigs and is the result of a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is not uncommon but is only rarely fatal. Swine flu has not normally infected humans, although it can happen occasionally.

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

The real concern is what occurs 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, 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 to take Anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu needs to take a few simple, but most important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans by the small droplets from the nose and mouth when someone sneezes or coughs. This is how viruses such as swine flu are passed from person to person. Covering your nose and mouth 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 flu virus and then risks becoming infected. Always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is far better, this should be disposed of safely as soon as possible, and always use a fresh tissue if you sneeze or cough again.

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

The only effective treatment against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed to prevent flu, but when a person has been exposed to another person who is carrying the flu virus, it can help prevent the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of contracting the flu virus, it can help 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 important workers and individuals before the general population.

You can buy Tamiflu online, if the situation arises you can treat yourself and your family as much as possible. It can’t be emphasized enough, Tamiflu needs to be taken as soon as possible if it is to be effective, any delays in treating the flu 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 busy city with a large population or for example working in a busy office, then it may be wise to buy Tamiflu before the winter flu season starts. If you happen live in the country and don’t have a close contact with many people then of course your risk will be lower.

Also, 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 large 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 article is based on information freely available in the popular media and medical articles concerned with swine flu. Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed to be medical advice. For medical advice you are advised to consult with your healthcare worker.