Swine Flu, What Are The Precautions You Can Take And Treatments Available

We are today (more and more|more} at risk from the various strains of the flu virus. initially we had alarms over the bird flu virus, and more recently swine flu has become a major worry. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu was. It was a worry that bird flu could mutate into a form that would infect humans, apart from a handful of cases, this has not materialized. Swine flu is of much more worry, it is able to spread between humans making swine flu a very serious threat.

Swine flu (influenza A (H1N1) is a disease that effects pigs and is the result of a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is is common but is only rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu doesn't normally infect humans, although 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 type of flu before, therefore no one has developed any immunity. It is our immunity that prevents diseases from becoming life threatening, with no inbuilt immunity to this strain of the virus 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 occurs when the winter flu season arrives. It is then when the swine flu virus may spread quickly causing widespread illness with possibly over half of the population being affected.

Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu. The symptoms include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough, shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may present themselves include headaches, a sore throat, muscle aches, chills, sneezing, runny nose, appetite loss 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 nose and mouth when someone coughs or sneezes. This is the way viruses such as swine flu are spread from person to person. Covering 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 touching the same place as you will pick up the flu virus and then risks becoming infected themselves. Always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is better, this should then be disposed of safely as soon as you can, and always use a fresh tissue if you cough or sneeze again.

Currently there are no vaccinations that prevent anyone catching the swine flu virus. The swine flu virus is a new strain of virus and isn't the same as ordinary flu. The vaccination against the normal ordinary flu isn't effective against the swine flu virus. Even when the strain of flu causing swine flu is identified, it will then take many months to produce. By which time, it may well have mutated into a different strain.

The only real effective precaution against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn't guaranteed to prevent flu, but when a person has been exposed to another person who has the swine flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop 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, 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 protect yourself and your family. Although it cannot be emphasized enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as early as possible if it is to be effective, delays in treating the virus will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu. If you think you may be at a greater risk because of your situation, such as For example living in a busy 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 flu season begins. If you 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. If a pandemic outbreak becomes global it is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may be diminished and 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 swine flu.

Disclaimer: This posting is based on information freely available in the 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.