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

We are today (more and more|more} vulnerable from the various mutations of the flu virus. First we had scares over the bird flu virus, and more recently swine flu has become the major worry. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu was. It was a worry that bird flu may change into a form that would infect humans, but for a handful of cases, this situation has not materialized. Swine flu is a larger concern, it has the ability to spread between humans making it a dangerous threat.

Swine flu (influenza A (H1N1) is a disease that effects pigs and is the result of a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is not uncommon but is rarely fatal. Swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can happen occasionally.

Swine flu is particularly dangerous because it is a new strain of virus. This means that no one has been in contact with this particular strain of flu previously, and therefore no one has built up any immunity to this strain of flu. It is our inbuilt immunity that prevents 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, this includes healthy adults and teenagers as well as young 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 quickly spread causing a flu pandemic with possibly over half the population being affected.

The symptoms of swine flu 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 headaches, sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.

Precautions to take Anyone with cold or flu symptoms needs to take a few easy, but most important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans by the small droplets from the mouth and nose when someone coughs or sneezes. This is how viruses such as swine flu are passed from person to person. Holding your nose and mouth with your hands when you cough or sneeze is not 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 will then risk becoming infected themselves. Always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is far better, this should then be disposed of as soon as you can, try to use a fresh tissue if you cough or sneeze again.

There are currently no vaccinations to stop anyone catching swine flu. Swine flu is a new strain of virus and isn’t the same as ordinary flu. The vaccination against the normal seasonal flu isn’t effective against the swine flu virus. Even when the type of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will take several months to produce. By this time, it may have mutated into a different strain again.

Currently the only real effective precaution 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 swine flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of developing flu, it can help to stop the virus spreading throughout the body, thereby reducing the symptoms and risk associated. Governments worldwide are stockpiling Tamiflu, but the supplies will first be used to treat key workers and individuals before the general population.

You can however buy Tamiflu online, if the situation arises you can treat yourself and your family. It can’t be emphasized strongly enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as early as possible to be effective, any 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 for example 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 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 large global demand.

Until a vaccine is found and produced in the large quantities needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.

Disclaimer: This posting is based on information freely available in the press and medical articles related to swine flu. Nothing in this post is intended to be or should be taken to be medical advice. For medical advice you should consult with your own doctor.