Information About Swine Flu, The Simple Precautions That Can Be Taken And Treatments Available
We are ever more at a greater risk from the various mutations of the influenza virus than we have before. First we had concerns about bird flu, and recently swine flu has manifested as a major health problem. Swine flu is a greater concern than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu could change into a strain that might infect humans, apart from a few cases, this has not happened to date.
Swine flu is of more concern, swine flu already has the ability to pass between people which makes it an extremely serious threat. So what exactly is swine flu. Swine flu, or influenza A (H1N1), is a respiratory disease that effects pigs, it is the result of a flu virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs is quite common but is only rarely fatal. Swine flu does not normally infect people, but it can occur occasionally when people have been close contact with infected pigs.
Swine flu is particularly dangerous to people as it is a previously unknown type of virus. No one has had contact with this particular strain previously, which means no one has built up any immunity to this strain. Without inbuilt immunity a disease can be life threatening, as our bodies are unable to fight the virus. Everyone is susceptible, including healthy adults and teenagers as well as the young and the elderly.
Swine flu can easily give rise to a pandemic influenza situation. A pandemic flu situation occurs when an influenza virus develops that is very different from previous influenza strains that few, if any, humans have any immunity to. This allows the flu virus to spread rapidly in the population.
Ordinary flu and swine flu are different as explained below ordinary flu occurs annually during the winter, with about 10 to 15 percent of the population are infected and the majority of people recover within 1 to 2 weeks with no treatment. It is generally only of risk to the elderly and people with conditions that make them more vulnerable to complications from the infection.
Pandemic flu affects many more people, it can be up to half the population, it is far more serious, all ages of people can be affected.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to the symptoms of ordinary flu. Symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, a cough or shortness of breath. Symptoms that may also present themselves include headache, sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite and tiredness.
What precautions should you take. First, anyone showing cold or flu symptoms needs to take some easy, but very important precautions. The influenza virus is spread between humans by the tiny droplets from the mouth and nose when someone coughs or sneezes. This is how a virus like swine flu are spread from person to person. Covering your face with your hands when you sneeze or cough is not effective enough. The germs simply sit on your hands, and everything you touch becomes contaminated with the virus. Anyone who the touches the same surface will pick up the germs and become infected. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or tissue. A disposable tissue is much better, this should be disposed of safely as soon as possible, try to always use a new tissue if you sneeze or cough again.
Currently there are no vaccinations to stop anyone catching swine flu. Swine flu is an unknown type of virus. The seasonal vaccination against ordinary flu is not effective against swine flu. Once the type of flu causing swine flu is found, it will take several months to produce. By this time, it may have mutated into a different strain.
The only effective precaution you are able to take against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu is not guaranteed for the prevention of flu, but after someone has been in contact with another individual who has the flu virus, it may help to stop the flu virus making you sick. If Tamiflu is taken in the first 2 days of acquiring the swine flu virus, it can help to stop the virus from spreading through the body, thereby reducing the signs and symptoms and the risk associated with the virus. Governments worldwide are stockpiling Tamiflu, but these supplies will naturally be used in treating key workers before the population at large.
however you buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you are able to offer as much protection as is possible to yourself and loved ones. Although it can’t be emphasized enough, Tamiflu does need to be administered as early as is possible to be effective, any delays in treating the virus will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu.
Remember that swine flu is a worldwide danger. Should a pandemic outbreak become global it is a possibility that the supplies of Tamiflu could be low and may not meet a massive worldwide demand. Until a vaccine is discovered and produced in the amounts needed, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for swine flu, it would sensible to buy Tamiflu beforehand if you feel you may be at risk.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information that is freely available in {the popular#the} media and medical articles related to swine flu. Nothing in this article is meant to be or should be construed to be medical advice. For medical advice you should consult your healthcare worker.
