Swine Flu And Bird Flu, What Precautions To Take And Which Treatments Are Available
Today we are (more and more|more} vulnerable from the various strains of the flu virus. initially we had alarms over the bird flu virus, but recently swine flu has become the major concern. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu may change into a form that would effect humans, but for a handful of cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is a bigger 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 effects pigs and is caused by a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is is common and is only rarely fatal. Swine flu has not normally infected humans, but it can happen occasionally.
Swine flu is particularly dangerous as it is a new strain of the flu virus. The problem is no one has been in contact with this particular strain of flu before, therefore no one has built up any immunity to this strain of flu. It is our inbuilt immunity that stops diseases from becoming life threatening, with no immunity to the swine flu virus we are in serious danger from the virus. Absolutely everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults as well as children and the elderly.
The real concern is what occurs when the winter flu season arrives. It is then when the flu virus may spread quickly causing a flu pandemic with the potential for over half of the population becoming infected.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These can 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, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions Anyone with the symptoms of a cold or flu should to take a few easy, but most important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans from the droplets from the nose and mouth when someone sneezes or coughs. This is the way viruses such as swine flu are spread from person to person. Holding your face with your hands when you cough or sneeze is not enough. The germs simply sit on your hands, and everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone then touching the same place as you will pick up the flu virus and then risks becoming infected themselves. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is better, this should be disposed of safely as soon as possible, and always use a new tissue if you cough or sneeze again.
There are currently no vaccinations that prevent anyone catching swine flu. Swine flu is a new type of virus and is not the same as seasonal flu. The vaccination against the usual ordinary flu is not effective against swine flu. Once the type of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will then take several months to produce. By which time, it may have changed into a different strain.
The only real effective precaution against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed to stop flu, but when someone has been exposed to another individual who has the flu virus, it can help prevent the virus making a person ill. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 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 stocking up on Tamiflu, the supplies will naturally be used to treat key workers and individuals before treating the general population.
You can buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you can treat yourself and your family as much as possible. It cannot be emphasized strongly enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as soon as possible to be effective, delays in treatment will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you think you may be at a increased risk due to your situation, such as For example living in a city with a large population or working in a busy open plan office, then it may be wise to buy Tamiflu before the winter flu season begins. If you live in the country and don’t have a close contact with many people then of course there will be less chance of getting the flu virus.
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 global demand.
Until a vaccine is discovered and produced in the quantities needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.
Disclaimer: This post is based on information freely available in the popular media and medical articles concerned with swine flu. Nothing in this post is meant to be or should be taken to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you should consult with your own healthcare worker.