Swine Flu, What Precautions You Can Take And Treatments Available
Today we are (more and more|more} vulnerable from the various strains of the flu virus. initially we had scares over bird flu, and recently swine flu has become a latest worry. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu ever was. It was feared that bird flu may change into a strain that would infect humans, but for a handful of cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is a larger worry, the swine flu virus is able to pass between humans making swine flu a very serious threat.
Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a disease that infects pigs, it is caused by a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is not uncommon but is only rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can occasionally happen.
Swine flu is extremely dangerous as it is a new strain of virus. The problem is no one has been exposed to this particular strain of flu before, and therefore no one has built up any immunity. It is our immunity that prevents diseases from becoming life threatening, with no immunity to swine flu we are in serious danger from the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults as well as young children and the elderly.
The real concern is what will happen when the winter flu season arrives. This is the period when the flu virus may quickly spread causing a flu pandemic with the possibility of over half of the population becoming infected.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These include a sudden,sudden onset of a fever, cough, shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headaches, sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.
Precautions First, anyone with cold or flu symptoms should to take a few easy, but very important precautions. The flu virus is passed between humans by the droplets from the nose and mouth when someone sneezes or coughs. This is the way viruses such as swine flu are passed from person to person. Covering your nose and mouth with your hands when you cough or sneeze isn’t enough. The germs then live on your hands, then everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone touching the same place as you will pick up the germs and then risks becoming infected. Always use a handkerchief or tissue. A tissue is better, this should be disposed of safely as soon as you can, and always use a new tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
At the moment there are no vaccinations to stop anyone catching the swine flu virus. Swine flu is a new type of virus and is not the same as ordinary flu. Therefore the vaccination against the normal ordinary flu is not effective against the swine flu virus. Once the type of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will then take several months to manufacture. By which time, it may have mutated into a different strain.
Currently the only effective precaution against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to prevent flu, but when someone has been exposed to another person who is carrying the swine flu virus, it can help to stop the virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is taken within two days of developing flu, Tamiflu can help stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and associated risk. Governments are stockpiling Tamiflu, but the supplies will naturally be used to treat key workers and individuals before the general population.
You can buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation occurs you can treat yourself and your family. Although it can’t be emphasized enough, Tamiflu needs to be taken as soon as possible to be effective, any delays in treatment will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you are 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 office, then it may be prudent to buy Tamiflu before the flu season starts. If you happen live in the country and do not have a close contact with many people then your risk will be lower.
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 found and manufactured 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 press and medical journals 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 are advised to consult your own doctor.
