Today we are ever more at at more risk from the various mutations of the influenza virus than we have before. First we had great concerns over bird flu, and more recently swine flu has manifested as a major concern. Swine flu is a greater concern than bird flu was. It was feared that bird flu may mutate into a form that would infect humans, thankfully, apart from a few isolated cases, this has not happened.

Swine flu is a greater concern, it already has the ability to spread from human to human making it a very serious threat.  So what is swine flu. Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a respiratory disease that effects pigs, swine flu is the result of an influenza virus. Swine flu outbreaks in pigs isn’t uncommon but is only rarely fatal. Swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can occur occasionally when humans have been in close contact with pigs with swine flu.

Swine flu is a unknown type of virus and is therefore particularly dangerous. No one has had contact with this strain previously, which means no one has developed any immunity to this virus. Without built in immunity a virus is life threatening, as our bodies are unable to fight the virus. Absolutely everyone is susceptible, this includes healthy adults and teenagers as well as the young and the elderly.

Swine flu could easily result in a pandemic influenza situation. A pandemic flu situation occurs when an influenza viral strain develops that is very different from previous flu types that few, if any, people have any sort of immunity to. This lets the influenza virus to spread widely and rapidly throughout the population.

Ordinary flu and swine flu are different as explained below  Seasonal flu happens yearly during the winter period, with about 10 to 15 percent of people will be affected and the majority of people recover within 1 to 2 weeks with no medical treatment. seasonal flu is usually only of risk to elderly citizens and people with conditions that make them more vulnerable to implications from an infection.

Pandemic flu affects more people, up to half the population, pandemic flu is much more serious, everyone whatever their age will be infected.

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

Precautions that can be taken. First, anyone displaying flu or cold symptoms should take a few simple precautions. The influenza virus is spread between humans by the small droplets from the mouth and nose when someone sneezes or coughs. This is how viruses are spread from person to person. Using your hands when you cough or sneeze is not enough. The germs simply sit on your hands, then everything you touch becomes contaminated. Anyone who the touches the same surface as you will pick up the germs and become infected. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or disposable tissue. A disposable tissue is better, this should be disposed safely as soon as possible, try to always use a fresh tissue when you cough or sneeze again.

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

The only effective precaution you are able to take against swine flu is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed for the prevention of swine flu, but if you have been in contact with someone who has the swine flu virus, Tamiflu may help in stopping the virus making you ill. If Tamiflu is administered in the first 48 hours of contracting the swine flu virus, it can help to stop the virus from spreading through the body, thereby reducing the symptoms and the risk associated with the virus. Governments worldwide are stocking Tamiflu, but these supplies will be used to treat important workers and individuals before the general population.

can buy Tamiflu online, if the situation arises you are able to protect yourself and loved ones as much as is possible. Although it cannot be emphasized enough, Tamiflu needs to be administered as early as possible to be effective, any delays in treatment will reduce the effectiveness of Tamiflu.

Also, remember, swine flu is a global danger. Should an outbreak become global it is a possibility that the supplies of Tamiflu could be low and may not meet a massive global demand.  Until such time that a vaccine is discovered and produced in the amounts required, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus, it would sensible to buy Tamiflu in advance if you think you may be at risk.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information freely available in {the popular#the} media and medical articles 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 physician.

 

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