Today we are (more and more|more} at risk from various mutations of the flu virus. First we had alarms over the bird flu virus, but recently swine flu has become the major concern. Swine flu is more serious than bird flu ever was. It was feared that bird flu may mutate into a form that would infect humans, but for a handful of cases, this did not materialize. Swine flu is a bigger concern, the swine flu virus is able to pass from human to human making swine flu a dangerous threat.

Swine flu, or to be more correct influenza A (H1N1), is a respiratory disease that effects pigs and is caused by a flu virus. Outbreaks of swine flu in pigs is not uncommon but is only rarely fatal. In the past, swine flu doesn’t normally infect humans, but it can happen occasionally.

Swine flu is very dangerous as it is a new type of the flu virus. The problem is no one has been in contact with this particular strain previously, and therefore no one has built up any immunity to this flu strain. It is our inbuilt immunity that stops diseases from becoming life threatening, with no immunity to swine flu we are at the mercy of the virus. Everyone is vulnerable, including healthy adults as well as children and the elderly.

The real worry is what occurs when the winter flu season arrives. It is then when the flu virus may quickly spread causing a flu pandemic with the potential for over half the population becoming infected.

The symptoms of swine flu are very similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu. These can include a sudden,sudden onset of fever, cough or a shortness of breath. Other symptoms that may present themselves include headache, sore throat, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, appetite loss and tiredness.

Precautions First, anyone with cold or flu symptoms should to take a few simple, but very important precautions. The virus is spread between humans by the small droplets from the mouth and nose when someone coughs or sneezes. This is how viruses are spread from person to person. Holding your face with your hands when you cough or sneeze isn’t enough. The virus simply sit on your hands, then everything you handle afterwards becomes contaminated. Anyone touching the same place as you will pick up the flu virus and will then risk becoming infected. Therefore, always use a handkerchief or a tissue. A tissue is far better, this should be disposed of as soon as you can, try to use a fresh tissue if you sneeze or cough again.

Currently there are no vaccinations that prevent anyone catching swine flu. Swine flu is a new strain of virus and isn’t the same as seasonal flu. The annual vaccination against the normal seasonal flu is not effective against the swine flu virus. Once the strain of flu virus causing swine flu is identified, it will then take many months to manufacture. By which time, it may well have changed into a different strain again.

The only real effective treatment against the swine flu virus is Tamiflu. Tamiflu isn’t guaranteed to stop flu, but when a person has been exposed to another person who is carrying the flu virus, Tamiflu can help to stop the virus making a person ill. If Tamiflu is taken within 2 days of developing flu, Tamiflu can help stop the virus spreading throughout the body, reducing the symptoms and associated risk. Governments are stocking up on Tamiflu, these supplies will first be used to treat important workers and individuals before the general population.

You can buy Tamiflu online, so if the situation arises you can treat yourself and your family. It cannot be emphasized strongly enough, Tamiflu has to be taken as soon as possible if it is to be effective, any delays in treating the virus will greatly 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 office, then it may be wise to buy Tamiflu before the winter flu season begins. If you happen live in the country and do not have close contact with many people then of course your risk will be lower.

Remember that swine flu is a global problem. If a pandemic outbreak becomes global it is possible that supplies of Tamiflu may not be great enough to meet a huge global demand.

Until a vaccine is discovered and produced in the large quantities required, Tamiflu is the most effective treatment for the swine flu virus.

Disclaimer: This posting is based on information that is freely available in the media and medical journals concerned with swine flu. Nothing herein is meant to be or should be construed to be any sort of medical advice. For medical advice you should consult your doctor.

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