Information About Swine Flu, The Simple Precautions You Can Take And Treatments Available

Today we are more at a greater risk from the various mutations of the flu virus than we have been previously. We had concerns over bird flu, and recently swine flu has manifested as a major concern. Swine flu is of more problem than bird flu. It was a worry that bird flu may mutate into a form that would become infectious in humans, thankfully, apart from a few cases, this has not happened to date.

Swine flu is a much greater problem, swine flu can pass between humans making it a very serious health problem.  Swine flu or influenza A (H1N1) is an influenza virus which infects pigs. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs doesn’t usually infect people although it can happen sometimes.

Swine flu is a new strain of virus and is therefore extremely dangerous to people. This means that no one has been in contact with this particular strain before, which means no one has built up any immunity. Without built in immunity a virus can be life threatening because our bodies are unable to fight the virus. Everyone is susceptible, this includes healthy adults and teenagers as well as the young and senior citizens.

Swine flu can easily give rise to a pandemic flu situation. Pandemic flu situation occurs when a flu virus develops that is very different from previous influenza types that few, if any, people have any immunity to. This allows the flu virus to spread rapidly in the population.

Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu as detailed below.  Seasonal flu happens yearly, mainly in the winter. Approximately 10 to 15 percent of people are effected and the vast majority will recover with no treatment in about 1 to 2 weeks.

Pandemic flu affects more people, up to half of the population can be affected, pandemic influenza is much more serious, people of all ages may be affected.

Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu. Symptoms can include sudden onset of a fever, cough or shortness of breath. Symptoms that may also present themselves may include headaches, sore throats, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite and tiredness.

So what precautions can we take. Anyone showing cold or flu symptoms needs to take a few easy precautions. The flu virus spreads between humans from the small droplets from the mouth and nose when someone coughs or sneezes. This is how a virus like swine flu are spread through the population. Covering your nose or mouth with your hands when you sneeze or cough is not effective enough. The virus simply sit on your hands, and everything you touch becomes contaminated. Other people can touch these surfaces and pick up the virus. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or disposable tissue. A disposable tissue is better, this should be disposed of as soon as possible, try to always use a new tissue if you sneeze or cough again.

There are currently no vaccinations available to prevent anyone contracting swine flu. Swine flu is a new type of virus. Therefore the seasonal vaccination against the normal seasonal influenza is ineffective for swine flu. When the strain of influenza causing swine flu is identified, it will then take many months to produce. By this time, it may well have mutated into a different strain again.

The only real effective precaution you are able to take against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed for the prevention of swine flu, but after someone has been in contact with another individual who has the flu virus, Tamiflu may help in stopping the flu virus making a person sick. If Tamiflu is administered within 48 hours of contracting the flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus spreading through the body, reducing the signs and symptoms and risk associated with the flu virus. Governments are stocking Tamiflu, but these supplies will naturally be used in treating key workers before the general population.

however you buy Tamiflu online, if the situation occurs you are able to protect yourself and your family as much as is possible. Although it cannot be emphasized enough, Tamiflu needs to be taken as soon as possible to be effective, any delays in treating the virus will diminish the effectiveness of Tamiflu.

Remember, swine flu is a global problem. If an outbreak becomes global it is a possibility that supplies of Tamiflu may be low and may not meet a massive worldwide demand.  Until such time that a vaccine is found and manufactured in the quantities needed, Tamiflu is the only really effective treatment for swine flu, it is therefore be prudent to buy Tamiflu in advance if you feel you may be at risk.

Disclaimer: This posting is based on information available in {the popular#the} press and medical journals 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 your healthcare worker.