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

July 31st, 2009 | by real |

We are today (more and more|more} at risk from various strains of the flu virus. initially we had scares over bird flu, and more recently swine flu has become the latest worry. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu may change into a strain that could infect humans, but for a handful of cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is a greater worry, it is able to pass between humans making it a dangerous threat.

Swine flu (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 rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu has not normally infected humans, although it can occasionally happen.

Swine flu is very dangerous because it is a new strain of the flu virus. This means that no one has been in contact with this particular strain of flu previously, therefore no one has developed any immunity. It is our inbuilt immunity that stops 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, including healthy adults and teenagers as well as children and the elderly.

The real concern is what occurs when winter arrives. This is the period when the swine flu virus may quickly spread causing widespread illness with the potential for over half the population becoming infected.

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

So what precautions can we take. First, 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 droplets from the mouth and nose when someone sneezes or coughs. This is how viruses such as swine flu are spread from person to person. Holding your nose and mouth with your hands when you cough or sneeze is not enough. The germs simply sit on your hands, and everything you touch afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone then touching the same place as you will pick up the virus and then risks becoming infected themselves. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is better, this should then 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 to stop anyone catching swine flu. The swine flu virus is a new type of virus and isn’t the same as ordinary flu. The annual vaccination against the normal seasonal flu is not effective against the swine flu virus. Once the type of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will then take many months to produce. By this time, it may have changed into a different strain again.

The only effective precaution against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to stop flu, but when a person has been exposed to another individual who has the swine flu virus, Tamiflu can help prevent the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of contracting the flu virus, it can help 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 important workers and individuals before treating the general population.

You can however buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you can treat yourself and your family. Although it cannot be emphasized enough, Tamiflu needs to be taken as early as possible if it is to be effective, any delays in treating the virus will greatly reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you are at a higher risk because of 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 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 there will be less chance of getting the flu virus.

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 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 that is freely available in the popular media and medical articles concerned with swine flu. Nothing in this posting is meant to be or should be construed to be medical advice. For medical advice you are advised to consult your physician.

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